arts & culture · attractions & tours · outdoor activities ·
Published April 30, 2025
The Best Family-Friendly Things to Do With Kids in Chicago

16 kid-friendly spots in Chicago for your next family outing! 👫🚀

by Chicago Bucket List
16 Fun Things to Do in Chicago with Kids
Discover Dinosaurs and Ancient Artifacts at The Field Museum
For a day packed with adventure and discovery, head to The Field Museum, where kids can come face-to-face with SUE the T. rex, explore ancient Egyptian tombs, and marvel at towering dinosaur skeletons. The museum’s interactive exhibits make learning about natural history exciting for all ages, while activities like fossil digs keep little explorers engaged.
Where: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL
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Connect with Nature at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
If your little ones love butterflies, birds, and hands-on science, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a must-visit. The museum’s enchanting butterfly haven lets kids walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies, while interactive exhibits teach them about Illinois’ diverse ecosystems. Trails and nature-themed play areas make this museum a wonderful way to combine fun and education while fostering an appreciation for the environment.
Where: 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL
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Explore Classic Cars at the Klairmont Kollection
For families with car enthusiasts, the Klairmont Kollection is a hidden gem, featuring over 300 meticulously restored vintage and rare automobiles. This off-the-beaten-path museum boasts everything from classic muscle cars to one-of-a-kind concept vehicles—even the official 1960s Batmobile, for those with little caped crusaders. With vibrant, colorful exhibits, it’s a thrilling stop for kids who love cars, history, or anything on wheels.
Where: 3117 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL
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Enjoy Sun and Sand at Loyola Beach Park
Sure, Chicago is technically landlocked when it comes to the ocean—but trust us, you can still have a perfect beach day with the family when you head to Loyola Beach Park. This scenic lakeside retreat offers sandy shores, a well-equipped playground, and plenty of open space for picnics and grilling. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer, and families can enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, or just relaxing by the water.
Where: 1230 W Greenleaf Ave, Chicago, IL
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Meet Sea Creatures at Shedd Aquarium
Dive into the underwater world at Shedd Aquarium, where kids can marvel at over 32,000 aquatic animals, including beluga whales, sea otters, and colorful fish. Don't miss the interactive exhibits and daily shows—touch stingrays, seastars, and surgeons, get an up-close look at sea lions and belugas, and even witness a shark feeding!
Where: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
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Soar Above Chicago at Flyover
Flyover Chicago is an immersive ride that lets families soar over the city’s most iconic sights—without ever leaving the ground. With a 65-foot spherical screen, motion seating, and special effects like wind and scents, this one-of-a-kind flight simulation is equal parts educational and exhilarating.
Where: Navy Pier: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
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Get Creative with a Rug Tufting Workshop
For a unique and hands-on activity, try rug tufting—a fun, creative workshop perfect for older kids and teens. At this experience, they can design their own custom rug, learning how to use tufting guns and vibrant yarns to bring their artistic vision to life. This is a fantastic way for kids to express their creativity while picking up a new skill, and they’ll walk away with a handmade piece they can proudly display in their room!
Where: 2840 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL
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Spend a Day at Millennium Park
Millennium Park is always a good idea, regardless of your age, but kids won't complain about playing tourist for a day when they get to splash around in the Crown Fountain, take selfies at the reflective Cloud Gate (The Bean), and enjoy the beautiful Lurie Garden. P.S. Don't miss free concerts and movies at the park in the summer!
Where: Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
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Make Sweet Memories at the Museum of Ice Cream
If you're vying for the title of favorite parent (or auntie or grandparent), take the kids to the Museum of Ice Cream. You'll rediscover your inner child on a colorful journey with exclusive ice cream hot dogs, dessert-themed putt-putt golf, and a dive in the world-famous sprinkle pool. Plus, tickets include unlimited ice cream, which is a win-win for kids and their grown-ups.
Where: 435 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
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Play at Maggie Daley Park
Cross the BP Pedestrian Bridge (a fun, scenic walk in and of itself) to Maggie Daley Park, which is packed with fun adventures for kids. Most notable is the whimsical three-acre play garden, featuring huge slides, splash areas, a large play ship, an enchanted forest, a suspension bridge, and much more.
The park is also home to mini-golf, a rock-climbing wall, a picnic grove, and tennis courts. In the winter months, don't miss ice skating along the winding quarter-mile ice ribbon!
Where: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL
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Spark Imagination at the Museum of Science and Industry
Another favorite spot for families is the Museum of Science and Industry. Spark curiosity at the interactive, two-level Science Storms exhibit, peek inside the enchanting miniature Fairy Castle, and step inside a record-setting train, a passenger plane, and a real-life submarine! You can even meet adorable baby chicks and take home a retro-inspired molded plastic toy!
Where: 5700 S. DuSable, Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
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See the Animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country—and it's free to visit 365 days a year! Kids can see animals from around the world—lions, giraffes, monkeys, polar bears, penguins, and many more—feed chickens and cows at the farm-in-the-zoo, ride the Endangered Species Carousel, go on a train adventure, and even experience a gorilla trek through the jungle via virtual reality.
Where: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
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Ride the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
You could spend an entire day playing at Navy Pier, from the Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze to the thrill rides and mini golf course. But one thing you should do at least once is ride the Centennial Wheel, where you'll take in 360-degree views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan from an enclosed gondola 200 feet in the air. It's open daily, and kids three and under ride for free!
Pro-tip: If you're feeling generous, take the kids (and yourself) for a colorful Snow Cream from the nearby Snow Dragon Shavery after your ride!
Where: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
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Adventure Through Space at Adler Planetarium
Embark on a space adventure at the Adler Planetarium. Kids can explore interactive exhibits, watch immersive sky shows, and learn about the stars and planets. The Planet Explores exhibit is specially designed for kids. Kids can work the controls in a two-story rocket, visit the Space Station to see how familiar things work differently in space, take a stroll through the unknown in the Planet Explorers Spacewalk Experience, and search for signs of life on the surface of Planet X. There's also a community design lab stocked with art supplies, paper, books, and more.
Where: 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
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Visit the Chicago Children's Museum
Not to be obvious, but the Chicago Children's Museum is a great place for kids to explore, play, and burn off some of that never-ending energy. Highlights include the Dinosaur Expedition, where children can dig for fossils, and WaterWays, a fun splash zone exploring the science of water. Don’t miss the Treehouse Trails, a nature-inspired play space, and the Art Studio, where budding artists can craft their masterpieces. It's one of those places you'll keep returning to because there's always something new to discover.
Where: 700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL
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Catch a Movie at the Drive-In
Who doesn't love a good movie night? Load up the car and enjoy a nostalgic evening watching classic films at ChiTown Drive-in Movies, where you can watch from the front of your car, the back of your car, or bring lawn chairs and watch under the stars. Pack snacks from home, or make it easy and order delicious popcorn, tacos, wings, and drinks from your phone that are delivered to your car. 2025 dates coming soon!
Where: 2343 S. Throop Street, Chicago, IL
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EXPLORE MORE:
Chicago's Ultimate 2025 Summer Bucket List
Every Street Festival in Chicago This Summer
A List of Free Museum Days in Chicago (2025)
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