Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Chicago
20 outdoor adventures for families in Chicago. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and fresh-air fun for every age group.
Highest rated: Japanese Garden, Nature Play Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. 14 are free. Every listing includes age ratings, stroller access, and parent tips.
Top Picks
Japanese Garden
5 starsThe waterfall, koi pond, and stone bridges make this garden feel like a real adventure trail. Kids love crossing the wooden bridges and spotting fish
Nature Play Garden
5 starsThe Nature Play Garden is built on the philosophy that children need natural loose parts — boulders to climb, logs to balance on, stream beds to explo
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
4.8 starsMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary is Chicago's best urban wildlife encounter that most visiting families don't know exists. During spring and fall migrati
Lake Katherine Nature Center
4.8 starsLake Katherine offers something genuinely different from Chicago's typical family attractions — paddling a kayak or canoe on a natural lake surrounded
Welles Park Playground
4.8 starsWelles Park is one of Chicago's most highly rated neighborhood playgrounds — a 4.8 out of 5 from 148 reviews speaks for itself. The park is large, wel
Japanese Garden
Ages: 2-16
Partially FreeNature Play Garden
Ages: Best for ages 2-9
FreeMontrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up (especially curious nature kids)
Partially FreeLake Katherine Nature Center
Ages: Best for ages 3-16
FreeWelles Park Playground
Ages: 2–13
FreeIndependence Park Playground
Ages: 2–10
FreeNature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
Ages: All ages
FreePlayground Park
Ages: 2–8
Partially FreeBison's Bluff Nature Playground
Ages: 2–10
FreeRutherford Sayre Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
FreeSupera Park Playground
Ages: 0–10
FreeLaBagh Woods
Ages: 6–16
FreeMaggie Daley Park Play Garden
Ages: 2–12
Pirates' Cove Children's Theme Park
Ages: 2–10
FreeEugene Field Park Nature Play Space
Ages: 2–10
FreeHiawatha Park Playground
Ages: 2–12
FreeAdams (George & Adele) Park
Ages: 2–11
South Parking Lot at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Ages: N/A — this is a parking facility
FreeChase Park Playground
Ages: 2–11
FreeWater Playground
Ages: 1–10
Common Questions
- What are the best outdoor activities for kids in Chicago?
- 20 outdoor family activities in Chicago. Highest rated: Japanese Garden, Nature Play Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Lake Katherine Nature Center, Welles Park Playground. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and more.
- Are there free outdoor things to do with kids in Chicago?
- 14 outdoor activities in Chicago are free, including Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Welles Park Playground, Independence Park Playground.
- How many outdoor activities in Chicago are stroller-friendly?
- 14 of the 20 outdoor activities in Chicago are fully stroller-friendly.
More Ways to Browse
Free Chicago Weekend Activity Planner
Get a printable planner with Chicago activity ideas by age, a packing checklist, and weekly picks in your inbox.
Join 1,000+ parents. No spam, ever.