Best Museums in Chicago for Kids & Families

9 family-friendly museums with age ratings and parent tips.

Highest rated: Play Street Museum - South Loop, Field Museum, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. 6 listings are indoor. Qualified listings include age fit, stroller notes, cost signals, and practical planning tips.

By Kit, KidPaths editor

Reviews family planning details across KidPaths city guides.

This Chicago page currently has 9 qualified listings in museums that passed KidPaths' listing and photo checks. Start your comparison with Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, then use the age, cost and visit-length notes to narrow the list.

9 options work indoors or in mixed weather. 5 options have confirmed stroller access. 7 picks fit toddlers and 8 picks fit big kids.

Match the museum to attention span, not reputation alone. Toddlers need hands-on rooms and easy exits, while older kids usually want a challenge, demonstration or strong special exhibit.

Top Picks

Play Street Museum - South Loop

4.9 stars

The space serves the 0-6 age group with play areas, art activities, and a pottery component that gives kids genuine creative work to do. The South Loo

Best for ages 0-6IndoorCheck southloop

Field Museum

4.7 stars

Children can meet SUE the T. rex, follow dinosaurs through Evolving Planet, see animal displays and cultural objects, use family adventure guides, and

Ages 2-14; the Crown Family PlayLab is designed specifically for ages 2-6IndoorThe official page lists nonresident guest tickets starting at $30, Chicago tickets starting at $21, and free Illinois-resident Wednesdays, but it does not publish a static family total by age

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

4.7 stars

Kids can explore hands-on science exhibits, stand near a real U-505 submarine, investigate spaceflight, see a towering tornado, add a Coal Mine tour,

Ages 4-14, especially children who like machines, space, weather, transportation, or hands-on scienceIndoor & OutdoorThe static official price page does not expose current standard general-admission totals

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

4.7 stars

Children can crawl through a beaver lodge, climb into a giant bird nest, use a wetland water feature and watch more than 1,000 butterflies fly through

Ages 2 to 8, with butterflies and live-animal programs extending the appeal for older childrenIndoor & OutdoorFor two Illinois adults and two children ages 1 to 12, basic admission is about $50

Chicago History Museum

4.6 stars

Children can climb into Chicago stories through sound, smell and physical play, including an L train experience, firefighting, baseball and a giant Ch

Ages 4-14, with Sensing Chicago especially useful for younger visitorsIndoorTwo Chicago-resident adults plus two Illinois-resident children cost $38

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