Chicago is a brilliant city to explore with kids. It’s packed with centrally located, kid-friendly museums, parks and attractions, so you won’t need to travel far to keep everyone entertained. Here are our picks for the 10 best things to do in Chicago with kids, from hands-on museums to lakeside beaches and jaw-dropping city views.
1. Play & Learn at Chicago Children’s Museum
Your kids will love this place, and you just might have some fun yourself. Situated in Chicago’s Navy Pier district, the Chicago Children’s Museum is packed with engaging exhibits that connect learning and play in a child-centred environment. Three floors cover literature, maths, science and creative activities, but your kids will hardly notice as they:
- Dig up dinosaur bones.
- Pump water 50 ft into the air.
- Operate a replica fire truck.
- Explore a “backyard” with giant flowers and insects.
There’s also a dedicated infant and toddler area, with crawl spaces for little ones under 5.
2. Visit Outer Space at Adler Planetarium
Take the kids on a journey through the stars at the Adler Planetarium, America’s first planetarium. They’ll feel like they’re really travelling through space at the Grainger Sky Theatre and can dig into ideas around the Big Bang. Kids can become modern space adventurers in Planet Explorers, a hands-on exhibit that lets them climb, crawl and “fly” through space. There’s also a nice café here with lovely views over the city.
3. Free Activities at Millennium Park
There’s lots to enjoy in the heart of Chicago at Millennium Park. Kids love capturing their reflection in The Bean, the giant, bean-shaped silver sculpture in the middle of the park, and you’ll often find live music and dance performances happening nearby. The park also hosts seasonal family events and free festivals over the summer months, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you visit.
4. Little Beans
Little Beans is a café and indoor play space with a difference, located between Lincoln Park and Bucktown. Little Beans Village is a town built for kids, complete with a service station, grocery store, fire station, playhouse and school. Suitable for 0–6 year olds, there are also areas for Lego, trains, puzzles and ride-on cars. Regular classes for parents and kids run here too, covering things like music, baby sign language and kids’ yoga.
5. Navy Pier Ferris Wheel and More
No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to Navy Pier, home to a stunning Ferris wheel and a huge range of attractions and rides. Take a spin on the flying swings, play a round of mini-golf, or try the remote-control boats. Other indoor and outdoor activities include:
- The Maze, a virtual maze filled with surprising twists and turns.
- Rickshaw bike rentals (with locks, riding maps and safety gear) so you can pedal around together.
- A landscaped area with gardens, a fountain and a carousel.
- Crystal Gardens, a six-storey glass atrium and botanical park.
- Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.
- Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
The Chicago Children’s Museum, mentioned earlier, is also located here, along with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. Getting onto the pier itself is free, but individual attractions and rides have their own charges.
6. Explore Life at The Field Museum
Photo of ‘Sue’ the most complete T-Rex ever found. www.fieldmuseum.org
The Field Museum sits on South Lake Shore Drive in the heart of Chicago’s Museum Campus and is easily reached by public transport. There’s tons to see and do here for a genuinely interesting day out. It’s a massive natural history museum with more than 30 permanent exhibitions telling the story of life on Earth, including:
- Gigantic dinosaurs.
- Ancient artefacts from royal Egyptian tombs.
- The Halls of Gems and Jade.
- Dino Camps.
- Meet a Scientist workshops.
For more family ideas in Chicago, see 10 FREE Fun Things to do in Chicago.
7. Chicago Beaches
You might be in a big, busy city, but Chicago has some great city beaches that are well worth a visit with the kids. From Howard Beach to 63rd Street Beach, there’s plenty of choice for a sandy family adventure. Play volleyball on Montrose Beach or find a shady spot to relax. Most Chicago beaches offer family-friendly amenities including:
- Kayak rentals.
- Great playgrounds.
- Water sports rentals.
- Toilets and changing rooms.
- Lifeguards and first aid stations.
8. Interactive Science Adventure
The Museum of Science and Industry is fantastic, especially for younger kids. You can easily spend a whole day here, and the range of exhibits means everyone will find something that grabs their interest. Booking tickets online in advance is worth doing, especially for the tours. The Mirror Maze, the Coal Mine Tour, the U-505 Submarine Tour and the WOW Tour (a behind-the-scenes look at the museum) are all fantastic.
9. Touch a Stingray at the Shedd Aquarium
If your kids love penguins, dolphins and sea life, take them along to the Shedd Aquarium. Here they can touch stingrays and starfish, see beluga whales and exotic fish, and watch daily aquatic shows. There’s a lower-floor eating area surrounded by marine life, so you can bring lunch along too. Watch out for divers in the main tank, and don’t miss the dolphin show.
10. Stunning Chicago Views
Get a full 360-degree, bird’s-eye view of Chicago at 360 CHICAGO (formerly the John Hancock Observatory). It’s said that on a clear day you can see four neighbouring states, and the elevators that whisk you up are among the fastest in North America. The audio tour is narrated by Friends actor David Schwimmer, adding a fun bit of trivia to the visit.
FAQs: Visiting Chicago with Kids
What’s the best area of Chicago to explore with kids?
The Navy Pier district is a great base, since it’s home to the Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier’s rides and attractions, and easy access to the Museum Campus nearby.
Is Navy Pier free to visit with kids?
Getting onto the pier itself doesn’t cost anything, but individual rides, attractions and tours each have their own charge, so it’s worth planning which ones you want to prioritise.
Which Chicago museum is best for toddlers and younger children?
The Chicago Children’s Museum has a dedicated infant and toddler area with crawl spaces, making it a strong choice for the under-5s, alongside hands-on exhibits older siblings will enjoy too.
Are there free things to do in Chicago with kids?
Yes — Millennium Park and Chicago’s beaches are free to visit, and both offer plenty for kids to see and do without needing to book anything in advance.
More Family Ideas for US Cities
If you’re planning trips further afield, you might also like:
- Free Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta
- Free Things to Do with Kids in New York City
- Free Things to Do with Kids in Boston
- Free Things to Do with Kids in Orlando
Save These Chicago Ideas
Planning a family trip takes a bit of juggling, so it’s worth bookmarking this page or saving it to your travel folder before you go, ready to dip into as you build your Chicago itinerary.
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Have you enjoyed any of these things to do in Chicago with kids? We’d love to hear your own recommendations in the comments below.
