The great outdoors is calling and it’s closer than you think! Just open your front door, step outside and take a deep breath. This might seem silly, but the fresh air, light movement, and change of scenery can change your perspective. For families raising neurodiverse kids, outdoor time is a powerful tool to redirect, regulate, and reset the day.
Now is the time to get out there because the outdoors remains vibrant, inviting, and surprisingly the weather is still very pleasant, but summer is slipping away. Take advantage of this last month or so before the cold creeps in.
Stepping out does not have to be a big deal. It can be as simple as a quick walk around the block. The idea is to break the ordinary by getting out of the house. But if you are adventurous, here are five outdoor locations around Chicago that can be a lot of fun. Each spot is chosen for accessibility, safety, and plenty of space to simply be outdoors.
606 is Chicago’s elevated linear park and trail built on a former railway line and is a great example of urban park development similar to New York’s High Line. It’s a flat, well-marked elevated trail built on an old rail line. It offers predictable scenery, manageable stretches, and you can walk at your own pace.
There are plenty of entry points, benches for rest, wide open-air corridors to reduce the feeling of crowding, and it’s free!
- Start with a short loop and gradually extend the distance as tolerance grows. The path is level, clean, and easy to navigate, which makes transitions smoother.
- Bring a simple “scan-and-see” checklist: note a color, a texture, a sound, or a wildlife sighting you can tally on a small card.
- Pack a light “movement moment” kit: a feather-light jump rope, a soft frisbee, and a small water bottle with fun stickers to cue a move or stop.
- Use the city’s views as prompts: a bridge, a mural, a quiet garden corner becomes a tiny adventure.
The Lakefront Trail runs along Lake Michigan, providing long, straight views, breezes, and plenty of room to move at your own pace. The scenery shifts with the season, from beachy vibes to mural-adjacent parkland, offering gentle sensory cues without rush. And the path is free to access for walkers, runners, skaters, and families.
Water and open skies can be soothing for many neurodiverse kids. The path length lets you choose a short stroll or a longer walk. The endless horizon helps with focus, and the brisk breeze is very refreshing.
- Start with a shaded stretch and a short walk, then mix in a few “nature moments” to observe the cloud shapes, birds, boats, or waves on the shore.
- Create a calm-down corner on a bench or under a tree where your child can retreat briefly if the noise or crowds feel overwhelming.
- Try a rolling movement activity: roll a soft ball along a towel mapped to your route, or practice slow, deliberate walking to a favorite sound cue (the whistle of a distant boat, the hush of the water).
- End with a small ritual: a favorite stretch, a breath-relax cue, and a snack by the water.
- Navy Pier shoreline and Oak Street Beach are popular, but you’ll also find quieter stretches and shaded lawns along Burnham Park.
Maggie Daley Park is awesome for kids who want to play but don’t like super competitive stuff. It has rolling hills, soft playground equipment, and comfy places to sit. Kids can explore safely and play with others without feeling pressured. The park has cool landmarks to look at and plenty of spots to rest, making it perfect for families who want to be active but also chill out. Plus, it’s totally free to use the grass areas, walking paths, and play zones.
- Easy, imaginative play: Use the hills for slow rolling or short, guided runs that feel more like exploration than “games.”
- Sensor-friendly moments: Look for soft textures on the play surfaces, and invite a buddy to describe what they feel or hear along the way.
- Short balance challenges: Low, wide ramps or gentle steps can be turned into tiny adventures with a calm parent or caregiver guiding pace.
- Cool-down corner: Choose a shaded bench to pause, breathe, and share a quick “one thing I liked” moment from the day.
Promontory Point’s grassy slopes, stunning lake views, and less-crowded corners make it a wonderful spot for slow, pleasurable outdoor movement. It’s a straightforward place to walk, watch the water, and find a tiny stretch of shade. This place mixes nature with city views, letting kids run around, watch wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors without lots of noise and crowds. The big, quiet space helps kids calm down and stay focused. Best part? It’s free to walk around, have picnics, and just hang out peacefully.
- Gentle loop explorations: An easy circuit around the point can be broken into several short segments with tiny rest stops.
- Texture and sound prompts: Sit for a moment and listen to the water, sun-warmed grasses, or distant city sounds—then describe what you notice.
- Micro-games: Simple, non-competitive activities like “follow the color of the sky” or “name five things you can see.” Keep it short and light.
- Picnic calm-down: A quiet snack on a blanket can cap outdoor time while you talk about the day.
The Chicago Riverwalk runs along sections of the Chicago River, with easy entry at several points and links to connected parks and public art and offers an urban outdoor experience that’s both stimulating and manageable.
With the river’s reflective surface, art installations, and nearby parks, families can craft a short, upbeat outing or a longer stroll with built-in sensory-friendly pauses. Access to the Riverwalk is free in most sections and open to the public.
- Short walk, long breath: Take a few slow steps, then pause to name what you notice—the reflections, the boats, the colors of the day.
- Mini-scavenger prompts: Look for a sculpture, a sign in a language you don’t recognize, or a bird in flight. Use simple prompts and a small notebook to record one finding.
- Movement stops: Find a bench and do a few gentle stretches or chair yoga poses to reset your body and mood.
- Snack-and-chat spots: Plan a sit-and-sip moment at a shaded plaza or café along the Riverwalk to decompress and share highlights.
Five Easy Locations, One Big Goal
- Five places. One simple aim: to breathe, move, and connect outdoors in ways that feel good for your family—without forcing big plans or stiff schedules. All five locations above offer free access, so you can experiment with a new outing without worrying about entry fees.
- Five easy formats: short strolls, gentle movement games, sensory-friendly pauses, and small rituals that bookend outdoor time with calm and joy.
Five practical tips for success:
- Set a flexible plan: Start with a small goal (e.g., 15–20 minutes of movement) and adjust based on how your child is feeling.
- Keep a “calm kit” handy: A small bag with ear protection, a favorite fidget, a soft blanket, and a few snacks can turn a tricky moment into a smoother experience.
- Use predictable cues: A consistent signal like a bell or a familiar phrase helps kids know when to transition.
- Build in accessible options: Always have a short, easy alternative activity ready if a child needs a pause or a change of pace.
- Choose shade, breeze, and water as your friends: Cool, calm environments reduce overwhelm and invite longer, more enjoyable time outside.
Small Steps, Big Smiles
Every step you take outside is a quiet victory. Each breath of fresh air, each gentle movement, and each shared moment is a chance to connect, learn, and grow together. End-of-summer days can still glow with possibility. The five spots above are just a starting point—your family’s own local corners can become precious outdoor classrooms where movement meets exploration, where nature meets city, and where every kid finds a moment to escape into nature.
Eyas Landing is a therapy clinic with a mission to provide evidence-based and family-centered therapy services for children, adolescents, and their families. The primary goal is to deliver relationship-based interventions within the most natural environments and to empower families to reach their full potential. To achieve this goal, our highly educated, compassionate staff dedicates time and expertise to create experiences that maximize therapeutic outcomes. The strength, determination, and perseverance of our clients are evident as they succeed in therapy, and ultimately in their daily lives.
Eyas Landing offers a wide range of comprehensive services including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA Therapy, Social Work, Family Therapy, and Neuropsych testing. Services are provided throughout the Chicagoland area via Telehealth, In-Home, and in our state of the art clinic.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
