Things to Do With Kids in Niles and Morton Grove, IL

Updated November 2026.

For young kids in Niles and Morton Grove, the best year-round pick is IceLand Ice Arena in Niles, with public skating and Learn to Skate classes that start at the tot level. Add baby and toddler storytimes at the Niles-Maine District Library, and in summer, the zero-depth tot pools and spray pads at Oasis Waterpark in Niles and Harrer Pool in Morton Grove.

Niles and Morton Grove sit side by side, between Park Ridge, Glenview and Skokie, and their park districts even share some resident rates. Here is a parent guide for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

IceLand Ice Arena, Niles

IceLand, at 8435 W. Ballard Road, is the Niles Park District's ice arena. It has indoor and outdoor rinks and posts a public skate schedule each season, with skate rental available.

For young children, the skate school offers Learn to Skate classes, starting with tot beginner levels. A few things to know:

• Registration for classes is taken in person at IceLand.
• Morton Grove residents get the Niles resident rate at IceLand under a reciprocal agreement between the two park districts.
• Not every Niles address pays taxes to the Niles Park District, so bring proof of residency if you want the resident rate.
• IceLand also holds special public skates through the year, such as a Santa Skate in winter.

Dress little skaters in warm layers, gloves and a helmet. Our guide on dressing toddlers for a Chicago winter has layering tips.

Storytimes at the Niles-Maine District Library

The Niles-Maine District Library runs storytimes by age, held in its Middle Ground and KidSpace areas. Recent programs include:

• Wee Wednesdays for babies from birth to 12 months who are not walking yet, with songs, rhymes and play
• Toddling Thursdays for ages 12 to 36 months, with movement and play equipment

These popular storytimes often need registration, with library cardholders able to register first. Some sessions run twice in a morning to fit more families. Check the library's events calendar for current dates.

Morton Grove families can also check the Morton Grove Public Library's calendar for storytimes. For more options, see our guide to library storytimes in the north suburbs.

Summer: Oasis Waterpark, Niles

Oasis Waterpark, at 7877 Milwaukee Avenue, is the Niles Park District's outdoor water park. It has a zero-depth pool, a children's splash pad, three slides, diving boards and concessions. For little ones:

• Children under 48 inches cannot ride two of the slides and should use the spray pad instead.
• Children 2 and under get in free.
• Children under 12 must be with an adult age 18 or older.

The park is closed for the off-season, so check the park district's site in spring for 2027 dates.

Summer: Harrer Pool and Oriole Aquatic Center, Morton Grove

The Morton Grove Park District runs two outdoor pools, and both have areas for small children:

• Harrer Pool, at 6250 Dempster Street in Harrer Park, has a tot pool with zero-depth entry, a kiddie slide and a spray pad, plus a 50-meter pool, slides and diving boards for older kids. It reopened in 2022 after a major renovation project.
• Oriole Aquatic Center, at 9205 to 9235 Oriole Avenue, has an activity pool with zero-depth entry, a current channel, a kiddie slide and a lily pad walk.

Pool memberships are sold in person at the Prairie View Community Center, 6834 Dempster Street. Bring proof of residency if you are new to the district.

Parks and summer events

Harrer Park is Morton Grove's main community park, with a playground and a pavilion that hosts a Tuesday evening summer concert series. Prairie View Park, behind the Prairie View Community Center, has a playground, and the park district is planning improvements under a new master plan. In Niles, Grennan Heights Park, at 8255 Oketo Avenue, has a playground and hosts outdoor family movies on summer evenings.

Close by

Niles and Morton Grove are minutes from Park Ridge, Glenview and Skokie. See our guides to Park Ridge and Glenview, and our guide to Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview.

Frequently asked questions

Where can toddlers ice skate in Niles?

At IceLand Ice Arena, 8435 W. Ballard Road. Its Learn to Skate program starts with tot beginner classes, and there are public skate sessions with rentals.

Do Morton Grove residents get resident rates at IceLand?

Yes. Under a reciprocal agreement, Morton Grove residents pay the resident rate for IceLand skating programs.

Which pools in Niles and Morton Grove have tot areas?

Oasis Waterpark in Niles, and Harrer Pool and Oriole Aquatic Center in Morton Grove, all have zero-depth areas for small children.

Does the Niles library have baby storytime?

Yes. Wee Wednesdays is for babies up to 12 months. Registration is usually required.

Children's Land near Niles and Morton Grove

Children's Land has locations close to Niles and Morton Grove in Park Ridge, at 400 Higgins Road, and in Glenview, including 1175 Milwaukee Avenue and 1631 Milwaukee Avenue. All are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and serve hot breakfast and lunch. Care starts at 6 weeks in our infant program. Find a location or contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Things to Do With Kids in Park Ridge, IL.