On July 12, Unplug Illinois Day, communities throughout Illinois will ditch their electronic devices and plug into fun activities at their local park districts.
Did you know?
- Children spend more than seven hours daily in front of a screen. Adults spend eight hours and 34 minutes.
- More than half of teens play video games for 2.5 hours per day.
- 43% of Americans use their smartphones for four hours a day or more.
In order to help you unplug, the Skokie Park District offers the following activities on Saturday, July 12. Some are free or discounted!
SKATE at the Skatium Ice Arena. Free admission, 1:30–3 p.m., rental skates $4
CREATE at The Exploritorium. Half off admission, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
DANCE at Devonshire Cultural Center for free in Adult Barre Fitness at 10 a.m., or Adult Cardio Dance Fitness at 11 a.m., or Youth Hip Hop from 1-2 p.m.
JAM to music with your little one (age 0-5) in a free Jamberry class at Devonshire Cultural Center from 10-10:45 a.m.
DODGE and nerf battle for free with Hot Shots Sports at Gross Point Park from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
EXERCISE at the Fitness First Health Club all day for free. Free group exercise classes: 7:30 a.m. – TBS / 8:30 a.m. – Spin / 9 a.m. – Yoga 1 and 2 / 10:30 a.m. – Zumba / 10:30 a.m. – Body Combat / 11:45 a.m. – Tone
LEARN pickleball skills at a free workshop. 12–1 p.m., at the Oakton Park pickleball courts.
READ “Peacefull Me” while taking the Skokie Story Stroll at Tecumseh Park.
MEDITATE at Emily Oaks Nature Center. Follow along with a walking meditation as you walk along the paved loop. Click here for an audio guide.
PLAY at any of the 44 Skokie Parks.
WALK around Sports Park East or any one of 12 other parks with walking paths.
GOLF at Skokie Sports Park or Weber Park Golf Course. Regular fees apply.
EXPLORE Emily Oaks Nature Center and the park district via GPS Treasure Hunts.
SWIM at the Skokie Water Playground or at the Devonshire Aquatic Center. Regular fees apply.
RUN in the Water Fun Run 1K at Oakton Park. Ages 4-8. Register here.
DISCOVER Skokie history!
So, put down your electronics, get out in nature, make memories and appreciate the beauty around you! Plug into joy, into family, into better focus, into the outdoors and into fun.
You can do it! Just UnPlug, Skokie!