Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Chicago, IL

Well, sort of. I actually don't know a thing about going fishing. This post is about great places in Chicago to see fish with your little ones. Kids all seem to love fish from the bright colors to the frantic darting back and forth in the water. I remember taking my daughter to the Shedd Aquarium when she was only six months old. She was totally captivated by the Ocean Reef exhibit. I couldn't believe how long she was able to focus on the colorful fish. If you and the little ones are in the mood for something fishy, here are some recommendations on where to get your fish fix.

The Obvious. The Shedd Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world. We are so lucky to have it available as a resource for our children. This is certainly the place to see fish in Chicago. But I know that you already know that, so let's move on to some other options.

The Not-So-Obvious. You can find fish in all sorts of other places (often places that you might be visiting for other reasons). If you see a pond or lake or fountain, take a peek and see if you find any fish friends inside. For example, the Garfield Park Conservatory, Oak Park Conservatory, Morton Arboretum, and Chicago Botanic Gardens all have bodies of water with fish flitting around. And that is just a few of the places that come to mind.

The Lazy Option. I am a little bit embarrassed to admit this . . . but sometimes when I don't have the energy (or funds) for a museum, aquarium, or botanic garden trip, I take my kids to the Pet Smart on Clybourn and Cortland. And guess what? My kids love it there. They wander the aisles checking out the fish and other animals and it keeps them occupied for forty-five minutes or so. Then we exit the store without buying anything because we don't have any actual pets.

When you come upon a fish pond or exhibit, take a cue from your little ones and slow down to really check it out. This is a perfect example of kids teaching adults to pay attention to the beauty of the natural world that we are sometimes too busy to notice.