15 Best Things to Do in Chicago With Kids
Big city adventures don’t have to mean long lines and grown-up attractions. In Chicago, family fun is baked into every corner.
The Windy City proves you can find world-class excitement for all ages. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Chicago with kids.
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1. Shedd Aquarium
Over 32,000 creatures are hanging out at Chicago’s iconic aquarium, from beluga whales overhead to dolphins that come right up to say hello.
The hands-on exhibits and marine life encounters keep kids busy for ages. Stingray touch pools? Check. Penguin feedings? Absolutely.
The 4-D theater brings a dash of drama with moving seats and wild effects; it’s a quick trip under the sea without ever getting soaked.
2. Museum Of Science And Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a playground for curious minds; it’s packed with exhibits covering everything from space to farming.
Kids can get their hands on real science; touching, building, and sometimes just mashing buttons to see what happens.
Displays are interactive and designed to spark questions, and adults might find themselves sucked in too.
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3. Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo gets a lot of love from Chicago families, and not just because it’s free. Giraffes, rhinos, monkeys, zebras; you can see them all without pulling out your wallet.
The new Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo winds through pretty landscapes with otters, wolves, and bears. Kids get a real sense of what animals are like in the wild, not just behind glass.
Daily activities run about 10 minutes each, and they’re great for keeping young visitors interested while sneaking in some wildlife wisdom.
4. Chicago Children’s Museum
The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is a playground of climbing, building, and exploring. The interactive exhibits are built for small hands and big imaginations.
Climbing structures and creative play areas encourage teamwork and problem-solving. Kids just think they’re playing, but there’s plenty of learning happening under the surface.
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5. Maggie Daley Park
Right downtown, Maggie Daley Park is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place. There’s a seasonal climbing wall, mini golf, and a Play Garden with sections for different ages.
The ice skating ribbon opens up in November, winding through the park for a unique skating experience.
When it’s warmer, tennis courts and picnic spots make it easy to turn an afternoon into a day-long hangout.
6. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Live butterflies in a tropical greenhouse? Yes, please. The interactive exhibits spark curiosity about nature and science, and it’s easy to lose track of time here.
It’s right in Lincoln Park, so you can roll outdoor time and museum time into one trip. The museum runs special overnight programs too, like Bunking with the Butterflies.
Kids can learn about regional wildlife and ecosystems through hands-on displays. Daily programs and living collections make learning about conservation feel like play, not homework.
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7. Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium sits on Museum Campus and, fun fact, it’s the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Space fans can watch Adler’s award-winning Sky Shows and poke around interactive exhibits.
Lakefront views are unreal, and the sky shows are a trip through the stars, complete with dome tech that makes you feel like you’re floating in space.
Simulated moon walks and hands-on space science bring the cosmos closer, and the location makes it easy to hit up other museums the same day.
8. Lincoln Park Conservatory
The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a lush escape with exotic plants filling four gorgeous glass houses. Kids can step into tropical rainforests and dry deserts, all without leaving the city.
Built in the 1890s, it’s free to visit with timed tickets and packed with orchids, palms, and ferns year-round. The warm, steamy air is a lifesaver in winter.
Each greenhouse has its own vibe and plant life, so you can wander at your own pace, soaking in greenery from every continent.
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9. Chicago Botanic Garden
Set just outside the city in Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden sprawls across 385 acres. Kids can roam through 27 different gardens and get their hands dirty learning about plants and the natural world.
A special tour for little ones maps out the best spots for young explorers. Download the GardenGuide App to make getting around a breeze.
Admission is totally free for members. The Botanic Garden is open daily and is a peaceful break from the city’s usual chaos.
10. DuSable Museum Of African American History
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is the first of its kind in the U.S., dedicated to African American history.
Kids can learn about the stories and achievements that shaped the country (and maybe even spot a few heroes they recognize).
Founded by Dr. Margaret Burroughs over 60 years ago, the museum mixes permanent and rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new to discover.
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11. Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city’s most popular spots. Kids will be wowed by the architecture and the burst of color from art displays inside this historic building.
Admission is free, so you can wander through galleries and interactive exhibits without worrying about your budget. The world’s largest Tiffany glass dome is here, and it’s a jaw-dropper for all ages.
Family programs and workshops pop up regularly. Kids can get hands-on with art and culture, and there’s always something unexpected tucked away in the rotating exhibits.
12. Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is just west of downtown, easy to reach by car or train. Animal care specialists run Zoo Chats daily, sharing fun facts about everything from bears to rhinos.
The Motor Safari offers narrated rides so you can rest your feet while learning about the animals. Over at the Hamill Family Play Zoo, toddlers get their own space for hands-on fun.
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13. Millennium Park And Crown Fountain
Millennium Park is Chicago’s backyard, right in the heart of downtown. Crown Fountain is a hit with kids on hot days; giant faces projected on two 50-foot towers, with water spurting out and turning the plaza into a splash zone.
Crown Fountain opened in 2004, and it’s kept families entertained for ages. Kids get to play in the water while parents marvel at the quirky art – everyone wins.
14. Garfield Park Conservatory
One of the country’s biggest indoor gardens sits right in Chicago, and you don’t have to pay a dime to get in if you’re a Chicago resident.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is packed with themed greenhouses, such as tropical jungles to dry deserts, and kids can wander through all sorts of climates.
There are 10 acres of outdoor gardens too, including a Play & Grow Garden for younger children.
On weekends, Budding Botanists programs let kids get hands-on with nature activities, and Wild Wednesdays bring outdoor evening fun for ages four and up.
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15. Field Museum
The Field Museum of Natural History is home to SUE, the T-rex skeleton that’s a Chicago legend.
Kids can stand wide-eyed under massive dinosaur bones; prehistoric creatures don’t get much more real than this.
Ancient Egyptian tombs and mummies manage to be both a little spooky and fascinating, especially for young explorers drawn to mystery.
Hands-on exhibits invite curious minds to touch fossils and get a taste of cultures from all over the world.
