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Fun in the sun for kids

I'm bored" are two words no parent wants to hear from their kids during the summer. The weather's nice, school's out, so here are a few ways to help your kids have some summer fun!

Lions and tigers and bears ...
The Lincoln Park Zoo, in Chicago, is kid-friendly and educational, and as the nation's oldest free zoo, it offers a variety of exotic creatures to see.

The zoo features 25 acres of animal attractions and is open year-round. You can grab an ice-cream cone for the kids or take a paddleboat spin around South Pond. Kids of all ages can enjoy the Lincoln Park Zoo, so plan an outing for the whole family! For more information, call 312-742-2000.

Batter up!
The Chicago area offers not one major-league baseball team, but two! Whether you're a White SoxTM fan or you like the Cubs,TM summer is a great time to enjoy an afternoon at the ball park. See the Sox at Comiskey Park for prices ranging from $12 to $26. At Wrigley Field,TM watch the Cubs for as low as $6 for kids under 13 and up to $30 for adults. To find out more, visit whitesox.mlb.com or cubs.mlb.com online today!

Just for kids
Let's face it — no kid wants to spend the entire summer with his or her parents. Summer camp is a great way to teach a child about independence in a controlled, supervised environment.

Loyola University offers soccer, volleyball and basketball camps for boys and girls of all ages. For more information, check out www.loyolaramblers.com/camps. The Chicago Park District at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com offers a variety of day camps for young people around the city. And sites like www.kidscamps.com allow you to search for art, academic, special needs, overnight and sports camps in your area.

Try these fun ideas to beat summer boredom and put a smile on your kids' faces.