The "Brookfield Zoo" would be a good place to visit with all your family members. This zoo is located just at the Western part of Chicago and is inclusive of a total of 216 acres and features more than 2000 animals. The exhibits at this zoo include Baboon Island, Australia House, Wolf Woods, Reptile House, Pachyderm House etc besides various others.

The Play zoo and "Children's Petting Zoo" available at this zoo are a must visit and provides more opportunity for the families to interact with the animals.

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/attractions/brookfield-zoo.html

http://gochicago.about.com/od/zoosaquariums/p/brookfield_zoo.htm

If you want your child to explore the wonders of nature and its beauty then there are lots of nature summer camps held in Chicago, IL.

Some of them are:

- Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation Camps

- Notebaert Nature Museum

- Shedd Aquarium Camps

- Chicago Botanic Garden

The Lincoln Park Zoo offers a wildlife two-week camp experience for your child of exploring the relationship of nature and animals. It also offers camp scholarships for children from preschool to eighth grade.

The Nature Museum offers summer camps which connect the children with the wonders of nature through art, music, science activities, movements, etc.

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers summer camps where children from 2-15 years of age experience exciting outdoor learning opportunities.

http://www.greenparentchicago.com/2010/02/get-wild-with-wildlife-at----lincoln-park-zoos-conservation-camp---------chicago--the-weathers-warming-up-and-thoughts.html

http://www.naturemuseum.org/index.php?id=232

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/grow/youth_education/spring-and-summer-camps-at-the-chicago-botanic-garden-2/