The best things to do in Chicago, Illinois with kids of all ages from toddlers to teens. Check out these family friendly attractions on your next Chicago family vacation.
Best Things to do in Chicago with Kids
There is no shortage of fun things to do in Chicago with kids of any age from babies and toddlers to older kids and teens. My children are now 6 and 8 years old so I will adding more activities as they get older and we get to visit more kid friendly attractions in Chicago.
Looking for a travel inspired gift for your kids? Check out our list of the best travel gifts for kids.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. This means we may make a small commission if you make a booking using our links at no extra cost to you.
1) Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum is a great choice for rainy days. With multiple exhibits in different rooms, little ones are sure to be entertained for hours. Whether they like to splash, climb, tinker or explore, the museum will not disappoint. Stop by the Pritzker Playspace (hours are limited) with your baby, toddler, or preschooler if to meet other families or if the place is overrun with older kids. Keep in mind, many exhibits do have special infant and crawler play areas if you have a little one in tow.
2) Navy Pier
Before kids, I considered Navy Pier a tourist trap. Now I consider it a fun destination for toddlers and kids.
Fun attractions include the Centennial Wheel, a 200-foot Ferris wheel that provides great views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan. The enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas make it a safe and comfortable experience for kids of all ages. (Click here purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line.) Navy Pier also offers other fun rides and games and several family-friendly restaurants.
Another fun activity is the new Flyover Chicago, an immersive flyover experience.
During the summer months, Navy Pier also hosts a variety of free outdoor performances, fireworks shows and seasonal festivals.
3) Boat Rides
Keeping kids somewhat confined and entertained on a boat might not sound like the best idea but we’ve had nothing but great experiences. The trick is to choose a sightseeing cruise (conveniently located at Navy Pier) that is short enough to avoid the dreaded meltdown. Our go-to includes the 40 minute Shoreline Classic Lake Tour or the 30 minute Seadog Speedboat Tour “The Lakefront Tour Experience” (do not mix up with their Extreme Thrill Rides).
4) Maggie Daley Park
Maggie Daley Park is THE park I take my kids to when we have a good block of time for some serious fun. The 20-acre park really is a spectacular playground for toddlers and kids. With plenty of green space to run around on, the best part of this park is the play garden. The set-up is completely different from a typical park or playground. It is charming, imaginative and conveniently separates areas for various age groups.
The skating ribbon is a unique feature of Maggie Daley Park. In the winter, it transforms into an ice-skating path, while in the summer, it becomes a smooth surface for rollerblading and scootering. Rentals are available on-site, making it easy to join in the fun. The park also offers mini-golf, a climbing wall, and plenty of green space for picnicking and playing.
5) Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a lovely and free well-kept green space where multiple events occur throughout the year. It is also home to two popular tourist attractions that absolutely delight young kids.
Cloud Gate, known as The Bean, is a big shiny bean-shaped sculpture that is perfect for a photo op but also for kids highly entertained by reflective surfaces. Catch the reflection of the Chicago skyline or just your kids pulling funny faces.
The Crown Fountain, an interactive work of public art, is quite the unique 50-foot sculpture. LED screens randomly flash the faces of residents while actual water spouts out of their mouths. This means that on a hot day, kids and adults get to cool off and splash around. Be sure to pack a change of clothes, as kids are sure to get wet!
6) Lincoln Park Zoo
One of the best family-friendly destinations in Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo. This historic zoo, one of the oldest in the country, offers free admission and is open 365 days a year. Located in picturesque Lincoln Park, this zoo houses a variety of animals from around the world, including lions, primates and polar bears. The zoo’s compact size makes it easy to navigate with children, and the well-maintained paths are stroller-friendly.
The zoo also features a carousel with hand-carved wooden animals and a children’s train ride that takes little ones on a scenic journey through the zoo. There are also seasonal events like Fall Fest and ZooLights, a festive holiday display.
Toddlers and young children will enjoy the Farm-in-the-Zoo exhibit where they can get up close and personal with farm animals like goats, cows and chickens.
7) Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Located in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Museum is dedicated to expanding knowledge of nature and environmental science. The museum features a range of interactive exhibits that encourage hands-on exploration. From an up close visit with critters to an obligatory “burn some energy” play space, the Peggy Notebaert is a gem in the city.
Be sure to check out the signature Judy Istock Butterfly Haven (home to over 1,000 butterflies) and maybe even catch the daily First Flight Butterfly Release.
Seasonal outdoor activities, nature walks and educational programs make this museum a wonderful place for young kids to connect with nature.
The museum is accessible via several convenient bus routes and many visitors choose to combine it with a visit to the nearby Lincoln Park Zoo or Green City Market.
8) Garfield Park Conservatory
Rain or shine, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a great destination for families. It is especially lovely during bitter winter days when you just need to be surrounded by greenery and tropical temperatures. While toddlers and young kids will enjoy all the gardens, the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden gives kids a chance to play while also learning about plants in a comfy setting. Check the calendar for current happenings (from goat visits to kid-friendly concerts) throughout the year. Parking is free or just hop on the Green Line to the Conservatory-Central Park Drive Stop.
9) Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere and is is packed with interactive exhibits.
Highlights include the U-505 Submarine, where kids can explore a real German U-boat captured during World War II, and the Science Storms exhibit, which features a 40-foot tornado, a Tesla coil, and other hands-on displays that demonstrate the power of natural phenomena.
Kids will also love the Idea Factory, an interactive space designed for children ages 10 and under. Here, they can build structures, experiment with water flow, and engage in various science-themed activities. The museum’s OMNIMAX Theater offers immersive films on a giant domed screen, providing a thrilling cinematic experience.
During the holiday season, the museum hosts the annual “Christmas Around the World” exhibit, featuring beautifully decorated trees representing various cultures and traditions.
Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket.
10) Field Museum
The Field Museum offers a journey through time, exploring natural history and ancient civilizations. Kids will be fascinated by the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, from towering dinosaur skeletons to intricate Egyptian mummies. The museeum is home to Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered.
Designed for children between two and six years old,vthe Crown Family PlayLab is a hands-on exhibit, where they can dig for fossils, examine insects under a microscope, and even dress up in traditional clothing from different cultures.
The Field Museum frequently hosts special exhibits and events, such as overnight stays where families can explore the museum after hours.
Click here to purchase an Early Access VIP Tour if you want to avoid crowds.
11) Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is a must-visit for families with a fascination for space and astronomy. The planetarium offers a variety of interactive exhibits, immersive shows, and hands-on activities that make learning about the universe fun and engaging for kids.
The “Planet Explorers” exhibit is specifically designed for young children (ages 3–8), allowing them to role-play as astronauts, climb through spacecraft, and explore a kid-sized space station. The state-of-the-art sky shows in the Grainger Sky Theater provide breathtaking visuals and are a captivating way for kids to learn about stars, planets and galaxies.
The Adler Planetarium is located on the Museum Campus next to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium so you can combine all three for a long day.
12) 360 Chicago Observation Deck
For an unforgettable view of the city, take your family to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. The observation deck offers panoramic views of Chicago’s skyline, Lake Michigan, and on clear days, even neighboring states. Kids will be amazed by the bird’s-eye perspective and the thrill of being so high up. The observation deck also has interactive touchscreens that provide information about Chicago’s landmarks and history, making it an educational and fun experience.
The TILT attraction is an exciting addition for adventurous families. It allows visitors to tilt outward from the building’s edge, providing a unique and exhilarating view of the city below.
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket.
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
13) Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is basically steps from our home so this is definitely a go-to for us. The Chicago Riverwalk is a scenic promenade along the Chicago River, offering a variety of activities and attractions for families. My kids often request to come here to watch the boats and kayakers. The mile plus route offers the opportunity to just walk and take it all in or ride the water taxi, grab a bite to eat, catch some live entertainment, enjoy the floating gardens, etc. Plan your visit during one of the bridge lift days to really delight your toddlers.
Don’t miss the the Water Plaza (La Salle to Wells) on a really hot day. There is a charming little fountain where little ones can splash in the water sprays.
14) Beaches
Like most kids, my children love spending time at the beach especially digging in the sand. Chicago has many beaches along the lakefront. The most convenient beaches for visitors are located downtown (Ohio Street, Oak Street and North Avenue) but they are also the most popular. Two beaches for more of a local feel include Kathy Osterman Beach and Foster Avenue Beach which are both located north of downtown.
As you can see Chicago has many family friendly attractions no matter the season.
