Chicago has a reputation as an expensive city. For families, it's more nuanced. Lincoln Park Zoo is completely free. Maggie Daley Park costs nothing. Then there's Color Factory at $30-$38 per person and Brookfield Zoo with a $140-$180 full-day bill. Here's the breakdown so you can plan honestly.
Free Activities in Chicago
Chicago's free lineup is legitimately excellent.
Millennium Park — $0 park admission. The Crown Fountain splash area is free. Ice skating in season: ~$13/adult, $6/child, plus $13 skate rental. Budget $40-$60 for a family lunch at nearby restaurants. Parking in the Loop adds $20-$30 — take the CTA instead.
Maggie Daley Park Play Garden — $0. A 3-acre adventure landscape with a ship-themed climbing structure and mini-golf. Budget $15-$30 if you grab food from nearby vendors.
Lincoln Park Zoo (including Pritzker Family Children's Zoo, Kovler Seal Pool, Kovler Lion House, Nature Boardwalk) — All completely free. Parking near Lincoln Park runs $10-$25; take the CTA Red Line to Fullerton to eliminate this. Pack a picnic.
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary — $0. Combine with Montrose Beach for a full free lakefront morning. Bring binoculars.
Nature Play Garden at Chicago Botanic Garden — $0 garden admission. Parking is the cost: $25-$30/car on peak days. Take Metra to Braeside station to eliminate it entirely.
LaBagh Woods — $0. Free Chicago Forest Preserve.
Water Playground in Lincoln Park — $0. Bring a change of clothes.
Neighborhood Playgrounds — All free: Independence Park, Welles Park, Rutherford Sayre Park, Chase Park, Hiawatha Park, Adams Park, Eugene Field Park Nature Play Space, Supera Park.
Budget Picks (Under $50 for a Family of 4)
Bison's Bluff Nature Playground — $10-$20 for Spring Valley parking and entry. A nature playground unlike any standard Chicago-area park.
Uppie Yuppy — $20-$40 for open play ($10-$15/child; parents often free). Toddler-focused indoor play space.
Imagine That World of Play — $30-$50 for a family visit ($10-$15/child). South Side gem with free parking.
Next Level Play Center — $35-$60 for a family of 4 ($10-$16/child for open play). Northwest Side.
Pirates' Cove Children's Theme Park — $40-$70 depending on ride tickets or wristband packages (check elkgroveparks.org).
Mid-Range Activities ($50-$100 for a Family of 4)
Discovery Center Museum — ~$48-$56 for a family of 4 ($12-$14/person). Rockford, 90 minutes from Chicago. 2,125 reviews at 4.8 stars. Worth the drive.
Kids Empire North Riverside Mall — ~$60-$90 for a family of 4. Free mall parking. Multi-level play structures, 4.9 stars from 846 reviews.
Jump Town — $60-$90 for a family of 4 ($14-$18/person/hour). Addison suburb. Cheaper than city trampoline parks.
Safari Land — $60-$120 for bowling + arcade for a family of 4. Food on-site. Free parking in Villa Park.
Altitude Trampoline Park - Schaumburg — $75-$110 for a family of 4 ($17-$22/person/hour). Socks required ($3 if you forget).
Altitude Trampoline Park - Roscoe Village — $75-$110 for a family of 4 ($17-$22/person/hour).
Altitude Trampoline Park - Skokie — $75-$110 for a family of 4.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park — $75-$110 for a family of 4. Base passes start around $17. Premium zones cost extra.
Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park — $80-$120 for a family of 4 ($18-$22/person for 60 minutes).
ClimbZone Chicago — ~$60-$100 for a family of 4 ($15-$25/person for climbing, laser tag, and arcade combo). Free parking.
Museum of Illusions Chicago — ~$80-$100 for a family of 4 (~$20-$25/adult, $15-$20/child). Nearly 5,000 reviews at 4.7 stars. Budget lunch separately.
Funtopia Glenview — $80-$130 for a family of 4. Rock climbing walls — shoes included.
Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze — ~$50-$70 for a family of 4. Navy Pier — factor in parking ($10-$25) or take the CTA.
The Morton Arboretum — ~$75-$90 admission for a family of 4 (~$25-$30/adult, $13-$15/child ages 3-12). Parking included. Monday is discounted day for Illinois residents.
Splurge-Worthy Experiences (Over $100)
Brookfield Zoo — ~$80-$100 admission for a family of 4 (adults ~$30, children ~$20). Plus parking ($15-$20) and food ($40-$60). Budget $140-$180 for the full day. 216 acres, 450+ species, and a Dolphin Show that creates genuine awe. This is a full-day commitment.
Color Factory Chicago — ~$120-$150 for a family of 4 ($30-$38/person). Immersive color rooms, confetti room, ball pit. Take the CTA to avoid Loop parking costs.
The Game Show Game Show — ~$100-$200 per group (priced per group — larger groups get better per-person value). For competitive families with kids 8+.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park — ~$120-$160 for 2 adults + 2 kids. Forest canopy aerial adventure. Check the website for height and age requirements.
Money-Saving Tips in Chicago
- Take the CTA. Lincoln Park Zoo is free; nearby parking is $10-$25. Red Line to Fullerton costs a fraction of that.
- Take Metra to the Botanic Garden. Free admission, but parking is $25-$30/car. Metra to Braeside eliminates it.
- The suburbs have cheaper trampoline parks. Jump Town in Addison ($60-$90) vs. city Altitude locations ($80-$120). Same experience, noticeably less.
- Pack lunch for Brookfield Zoo. Zoo food costs $40-$60 for a family. Bringing your own is the single biggest cost cut on a $140-$180 outing.
- Monday at Morton Arboretum is discounted day for Illinois residents.
- Kids Empire charges per child with parents often free or discounted — favorable math for families with multiple kids.
What a Typical Family Spends
1-Day Free Trip: - Lincoln Park Zoo + Maggie Daley + Millennium Park: $0 - Packed lunch: ~$20 - CTA day passes: ~$15 - Total: ~$35
1-Day Mid-Range Trip: - Museum of Illusions: $90 - Restaurant lunch in the Loop: $50 - Loop parking: $25 - Total: ~$165
Full-Day Splurge: - Brookfield Zoo admission: $90 - Brookfield parking: $18 - Zoo food: $50 - Total: ~$158
Chicago's free parks and zoo are legitimately excellent — don't overlook them in favor of paid options. You can run a full, engaging family day here for $35 or $200+, depending on what you prioritize.