11-Month Old Appropriate Actiities for the 4Th

Darien has a parade that starts at 9:30 am at Hinsdale south high school (75th & Clarendon Hills Road). I've never gone to it before so I'm not sure how long it lasts. Pleasant Dale park district has a celebration that starts at 4 pm at Walker park (7425 S. Wolf Road, Burr Ridge), again I have never gone so I don't know what it is like. They also have the fireworks at 9:30 pm. Elmhurst has an ice cream social from 10 am- 12pm at the Elmhurst Historical Museum (120 E Park Avenue). There is always Rib fest in Naperville at Knoch park on Martin Ave. I have been doing some research on activities myself. This is the first year I haven't hosted a party and I'm really looking forward to enjoying the 4th!
Have a fun 4th!

Hi R.,

I know how late this reply is but I was searching through the "holiday" archive section of the requests for some Halloween ideas when I came across yours. The toddler years are rough around the holidays and we try to do little get aways to almost avoid the holiday in a way. It's difficlut to get a toddler to cooperate with some of the 'traditional' aspects of alot of holidays, so we stopped fighting it and planned alone time My daughter is terrified of the fireworks and we live in the city, where it always sounds like you're in the middle of a war zone on the 4th. For the past couple of years, we have gone to Lake Lawn resort in Delavan, WI (very near Lake Geneva). If you get a room on the first floor facing the lawn, your son can run free on the grass. You can also bring volleyball nets or balls, etc to play with outside. We only get the 4th off from work and usually just stay the one night, but it's nice to just get away and be alone with our little family. I would also recommend a hotel/water park overnight stay. Good luck with next year's plans.

Hi R.,
That's a tough age - a little young to be up so late for the fireworks. Just to let you know - Brookfield zoo is open tomorrow and even though your little one is young, he will have fun looking at all the animals and getting some fresh air. (It's supposed to be nice tomorrow). I don't know if the Elk Grove Park District is open tomorrow or not, but they have a GREAT Indoors carasoul and play place. Website: http://www.elkgroveparks.org/pavilion.asp?id=210 Also affiliated with that park district is Pirates Cove. But I didn't take my daughter to that until she started walking. Here's the website: http://www.elkgroveparks.org/piratesCove.asp You can call and see if either one is open tomorrow.
Have a nice day!
E.

Isn't there a parade in Brookfield tomorrow? I'd check the local newspaper. The other posters ideas sound great too.