Things to Do with Kids in Chicago, IL
46 kid-tested activities — museums, parks, zoos, restaurants, and more.
Family Room Chicago on Broadway
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
Partially FreeNature Play Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-9
Partially FreeButterflies and Blooms
Ages: Best for ages 3-12
Uppie Yuppy
Ages: 0–6
Play Street Museum - South Loop
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
The Game Show Game Show
Ages: Best for ages 8-16 (and competitive adults)
FreeKovler Seal Pool
Ages: All ages
Kids Empire North Riverside Mall
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
FreeNature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
Ages: All ages
FreeMillennium Park
Ages: All ages — truly universal
Fit City Kids
Ages: Best for ages 0-9
Discovery Center Museum
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Partially FreeChicago Botanic Garden
Ages: All ages — best experienced by season
Partially FreeLake Katherine Nature Center
Ages: Best for ages 3-16
The Morton Arboretum
Ages: All ages
FreeWelles Park Playground
Ages: 2–13
WonderPlay and Coffee
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
FreeMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up (especially curious nature kids)
Imagine That World of Play
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
FreeIndependence Park Playground
Ages: 2–10
Partially FreeBison's Bluff Nature Playground
Ages: 2–10
Chicago Zoological Society
Ages: All ages
FreeRutherford Sayre Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
Museum of Illusions Chicago
Ages: Best for ages 5-16
FreeLaBagh Woods
Ages: 6–16
FreeMaggie Daley Park Play Garden
Ages: 2–12
Color Factory Chicago
Ages: Best for ages 4-14 (and color-loving adults)
FreeSupera Park Playground
Ages: 0–10
FreeChase Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
Pirates' Cove Children's Theme Park
Ages: 2–10
ClimbZone Chicago
Ages: Best for ages 4-16
Altitude Trampoline Park
Ages: 3–16
FreeEugene Field Park Nature Play Space
Ages: 2–10
FreeAdams (George & Adele) Park
Ages: 2–11
Brookfield Zoo
Ages: All ages
Jump Town
Ages: 3–16
Funtopia Glenview
Ages: 5–16
FreeWater Playground
Ages: 1–10
Little Adventures
Ages: Best for ages 0-5
Purple Monkey Playroom LLC
Ages: Best for ages 0-5
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Ages: 3–16
Next Level Play Center
Ages: 0–12
Safari Land
Ages: Best for ages 4-16
Altitude Trampoline Park - Skokie
Ages: 3–16
Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park
Ages: 3–16
Kids Empire Chicago Kedzie
Ages: 0–10
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Family Travel Guide: Chicago, IL
Discover the best things to do with kids in Chicago, IL. Our family-tested guide covers top attractions, restaurants, outdoor adventures, and hidden gems — all rated by age, with stroller info, cost estimates, and real parent tips.
Chicago Family Guides
In-depth guides with real costs, age-by-age picks, and parent tips.
Best Chicago Activities for Toddlers (Ages 0-4)
Read guide →Rainy DayRainy Day Activities for Families in Chicago
Read guide →3-Day Itinerary3 Days in Chicago with Kids: The Perfect Family Itinerary
Read guide →Free & CheapFree & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Chicago
Read guide →Cost GuideWhat Families Actually Spend in Chicago: Real Activity Costs
Read guide →Big Kids GuideBest Chicago Activities for Big Kids (Ages 6-12)
Read guide →Common Questions About Chicago with Kids
- What are the best free things to do with kids in Chicago?
- Chicago has 14 free family activities. Top picks: Kovler Seal Pool, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, Welles Park Playground, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/chicago.
- What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Chicago?
- There are 27 rainy day options in Chicago. Top indoor picks: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, Butterflies and Blooms, Uppie Yuppy, Play Street Museum - South Loop, The Game Show Game Show.
- What are the best activities for toddlers in Chicago?
- 38 activities in Chicago are rated for toddlers (ages 1–3). Parent favorites: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, Nature Play Garden, Butterflies and Blooms, Uppie Yuppy, Play Street Museum - South Loop.
- Which Chicago attractions are stroller-friendly?
- 29 of 46 activities in Chicago are fully stroller-friendly. KidPaths rates stroller access as yes, limited, or no for every listing.
- What are fun things to do with teens in Chicago?
- 21 activities in Chicago are rated for teens (ages 13–17). Top picks: The Game Show Game Show, Kovler Seal Pool, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, Chicago Botanic Garden.
- How much do family activities cost in Chicago?
- KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 46 activities in Chicago. 14 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
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