Things to Do with Kids in Chicago, IL
Chicago has 41 kid-tested activities for families across museums, parks, zoos, restaurants, and outdoor adventures. Every listing includes age ratings (infants through teens), stroller access, cost estimates for a family of 4, and real parent tips you won't find anywhere else.
By Kit, KidPaths editor
Covers 71 cities. Reads a lot of parent reviews.
Chicago family activity overview
Chicago is one of the best family travel destinations in the US.
From world-class museums to outdoor adventures, there's something for kids of every age. Our guide helps you find exactly what works for your family. The KidPaths guide for Chicago currently includes 41 KidPaths-vetted activities, including 15 free options, 22 indoor or mixed-weather picks, 27 outdoor or partly outdoor picks, 29 stroller-friendly stops.
Use it to balance one anchor outing with a backup plan, especially when weather, naps, or meal timing start driving the day. Start with Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, WonderPlay and Coffee, ClimbZone Chicago if you want a quick scan of the strongest local picks, then use the filters below for age fit, stroller access, cost, and rainy-day backup options.
Top kid-friendly places in Chicago
Plan Chicago by age, weather, and budget
Jump straight to the pages parents search for most, with only indexable KidPaths listings linked here.
Chicago with kids: common questions
What are the best free things to do with kids in Chicago?
Chicago has 15 free family activities. Top picks: Kovler Seal Pool, Millennium Park, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Kovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/chicago.
What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Chicago?
Chicago has 19 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, The Game Show Game Show, Play Street Museum - South Loop, Butterflies and Blooms, Kovler Seal Pool.
What are the best activities for toddlers in Chicago?
32 activities in Chicago are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, Nature Play Garden, Japanese Garden, Play Street Museum - South Loop, Butterflies and Blooms.
Which Chicago attractions are stroller-friendly?
29 of 41 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?
16 activities in Chicago are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Japanese Garden, The Game Show Game Show, Kovler Seal Pool, Millennium Park, Chicago Botanic Garden.
How much do family activities cost in Chicago?
KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 41 activities in Chicago. 15 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
Tours & ExperiencesAmazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze
Ages: Best for ages 4-12
EntertainmentWonderPlay and Coffee
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
Parks & PlaygroundsClimbZone Chicago
Ages: Best for ages 4-16
Parks & PlaygroundsImagine That World of Play
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
Tours & ExperiencesFreeMillennium Park
Ages: All ages — truly universal
EntertainmentThe Game Show Game Show
Ages: Best for ages 8-16 (and competitive adults)
Tours & ExperiencesColor Factory Chicago
Ages: Best for ages 4-14 (and color-loving adults)
Tours & ExperiencesFreePritzker Family Children's Zoo
Ages: Best for ages 1-10
Parks & PlaygroundsFamily Room Chicago on Broadway
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
EntertainmentLittle Adventures
Ages: Best for ages 0-5
MuseumsPlay Street Museum - South Loop
Ages: Best for ages 0-6
EntertainmentPurple Monkey Playroom LLC
Ages: Best for ages 0-5
EntertainmentFit City Kids
Ages: Best for ages 0-9
EntertainmentSafari Land
Ages: Best for ages 4-16
Tours & ExperiencesDiscovery Center Museum
Ages: Best for ages 2-12
Farms & NaturePartially FreeChicago Botanic Garden
Ages: All ages — best experienced by season
Tours & ExperiencesFreeNature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
Ages: All ages
Tours & ExperiencesBrookfield Zoo
Ages: All ages
Tours & ExperiencesChicago Zoological Society
Ages: All ages
Farms & NaturePartially FreeLake Katherine Nature Center
Ages: Best for ages 3-16
Tours & ExperiencesPartially FreeNature Play Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-9
Tours & ExperiencesFreeKovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center
Ages: All ages
Tours & ExperiencesThe Morton Arboretum
Ages: All ages
Farms & NaturePartially FreeJapanese Garden
Ages: Best for ages 3 and up
Farms & NaturePartially FreeButterflies and Blooms
Ages: Best for ages 3-12
Zoos & AquariumsFreeKovler Seal Pool
Ages: All ages
Parks & PlaygroundsSouth Parking Lot at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Ages: N/A — this is a parking facility
Farms & NatureChicago Botanic Garden Parking
Ages: N/A — this is a parking facility
Tours & ExperiencesFreeMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up (especially curious nature kids)
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeIndependence Park Playground
Ages: 2–10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeChase Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
Outdoor AdventuresGo Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
Ages: 7–16 (minimum age/height requirements apply)
Beaches & WaterFreeWater Playground
Ages: 1–10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeHiawatha Park Playground
Ages: 2–12
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeWelles Park Playground
Ages: 2–13
Parks & PlaygroundsPartially FreeBison's Bluff Nature Playground
Ages: 2–10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeAdams (George & Adele) Park
Ages: 2–11
EntertainmentPirates' Cove Children's Theme Park
Ages: 2–10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeEugene Field Park Nature Play Space
Ages: 2–10
Parks & PlaygroundsFreePlayground Park
Ages: 2–8
Parks & PlaygroundsFreeRutherford Sayre Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
Browse by Age
Common Questions About Chicago with Kids
- What are the best free things to do with kids in Chicago?
- Chicago has 15 free family activities. Top picks: Kovler Seal Pool, Millennium Park, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Kovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. See all free activities at kidpaths.com/chicago.
- What can we do with kids on a rainy day in Chicago?
- Chicago has 19 rainy-day options. Top indoor picks: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, The Game Show Game Show, Play Street Museum - South Loop, Butterflies and Blooms, Kovler Seal Pool.
- What are the best activities for toddlers in Chicago?
- 32 activities in Chicago are rated for toddlers (ages 1 to 3). Parent favorites: Family Room Chicago on Broadway, Nature Play Garden, Japanese Garden, Play Street Museum - South Loop, Butterflies and Blooms.
- Which Chicago attractions are stroller-friendly?
- 29 of 41 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?
- 16 activities in Chicago are rated for teens (ages 13 to 17). Top picks: Japanese Garden, The Game Show Game Show, Kovler Seal Pool, Millennium Park, Chicago Botanic Garden.
- How much do family activities cost in Chicago?
- KidPaths tracks family-of-4 cost estimates for 41 activities in Chicago. 15 are completely free. Each listing shows the real cost for a family of four, not just per-person pricing.
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