Spring in Chicago always feels like a deep breath. The lake thaws, parks fill back up, and suddenly we’re all ready to be outside again. If you’re looking for a way to spark that sense of wonder in your kids, start indoors at the I AM Wild exhibit at Chicago Children’s Museum, and then take it straight into your own backyard or neighborhood park.
Start with Wonder: I AM Wild at Chicago Children’s Museum
The I AM Wild exhibit celebrates the bold, colorful world of artist Charley Harper. Known for his “minimal realism” style, Harper used simple shapes, vibrant colors, and playful patterns to capture animals and ecosystems in ways that feel both modern and magical.
At the exhibit, kids can explore different habitats, interact with animal environments, and experience how plants and creatures connect within ecosystems. It’s hands-on, immersive, and, most importantly, it makes nature feel exciting.
But here’s the beautiful part: the exhibit doesn’t have to end when you leave Navy Pier.
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Charley Harper’s Secret: Look Closely
Harper’s art works because it invites observation. A bird isn’t just a bird — it’s a triangle wing, a patterned chest, a bright circle eye. His style encourages kids to notice details, shapes, and relationships.
And that skill? It transfers perfectly to the outdoors.
Suddenly, your child isn’t just glancing at a robin. They’re noticing its red breast. The way it hops. The way it tilts its head.
That’s where the Great Backyard Bird Count comes in.
Take It Outside: The Great Backyard Bird Count
Each February (and honestly, all spring long), families can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count — a global citizen science event where everyday people spend at least 15 minutes observing and counting birds.
It sounds simple — because it is.
Stand in your yard. Visit a park. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Notice what birds you see. Count them. Submit your sightings.
Kids love it because it feels like a mission. Parents love it because it’s screen-free, free-free, and meaningful.
You can even use tools like the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify birds by sight or sound — which makes kids feel like real scientists.
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Why Spring Is the Perfect Time
Spring in Chicago is peak bird season:
- Migrating birds return
- Trees begin to bud
- Insects emerge
- Nesting season begins
It’s nature waking up — and kids are naturally tuned into that energy.
After spending time in an exhibit that celebrates habitats from forest to sky, kids begin recognizing those same patterns outdoors. A patch of trees becomes a habitat. A puddle becomes an ecosystem. A sparrow becomes a character. Here are a few simple ways to connect it all:
1. Sketch What You See
Bring a small notebook outside. Have kids draw birds the way Charley Harper might using bold shapes, bright colors, and simple lines.
2. Create a Backyard Habitat Map
After visiting the museum, ask your kids:
- Where would birds build nests here?
- What do they eat?
- Where do they find water?
3. Pair Books + Birdwatching
Read a Charley Harper children’s book, such as his Count the Birds or Animal Alphabet, then head outside to look for the animals you just read about. Older kids and adults may enjoy one of the many books focused on the art of Charley Harper
4. Make It a Spring Challenge
See how many species your family can identify between now and Memorial Day.
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