Okay, so technically you won’t get all that chilly if you visit Glacial Park Conservation Area in Ringwood, as you’ll only be touring a remnant of glacial activity. That said, your kids will be just as entertained as if they were watching Ice Age because you and the brood can explore everything from restored prairies to oak savannas and wetlands.

There’s nothing cooler than catching a glimpse of sharks, penguins and whales at Shedd Aquarium . . . unless you have an antsy toddler that gets tired of staring at fish in five minutes flat. Luckily, Shedd features activities created especially for the preschool set every Tuesday as part of its Tots on Tuesdays program.

Watching the U.S. Open on television is great, but nothing beats swinging a racquet around as you actually play tennis with your kids. Don’t worry if your tykes haven’t had lessons – you can still have a blast and learn tennis basics with a wee bit of at-home research.

You’re a fan of the Old Town School of Folk Music, but your kiddies prefer songs about singing bears. Well, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Simply show up this Thursday at the South Shore Cultural Center for Toddlers, Tunes and Turtles, featuring musicians from the locally famous Old Town School of Folk Music.

Forget Pizza Hut – now’s your chance to say TGIF with a little Viener Schnitzel! This weekend is a celebration of all-things German in the city of Chicago and is your opportunity to check out German Day Festival at Giddings Plaza, which is located at Western, Leland and Lincoln avenues.

Ah, Red Bull . . . every mother’s salvation (besides coffee). Show your love and loyalty for this energizing beverage this Saturday as you come out to North Avenue Beach for Red Bull Flugtag. For all you neophytes out there, this event challenges “teams of everyday people to build homemade, human-powered flying machines and pilot them off a 30-foot high deck.”

What’s a mom to do once the local pool has closed for the summer? Give her kids a lesson in developing character, of course! Don’t think the two subjects go hand-in-hand? Find out how wrong you are this Sunday at the CHARACTER COUNTS! Back-to-School Splash Bash at the Holiday Inn Elmhurst.