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Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once

We are lucky to have so many fascinating museums in Chicago and the suburbs for kids of all ages. Check out our kid-friendly picks!

Hillary Bird
By Hillary Bird
Chicagoland museums for families
Photo credit: Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago is filled with amazing museums. From the Art Institute to the International Museum of Surgical Sciences, it’s hard to run out of places to learn, to touch artifacts and to create.

Our local museums offer interactive exhibits and resources to teach kids of all ages about everything from history to how their heart works and how to conserve energy. These are 40 not-to-miss museums for Chicagoans of all ages. Also, don’t miss out on free museum days for Illinois residents!

This article was recently updated on Aug. 19, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on kid-friendly museums in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.

Best Children’s Museums in Chicagoland

Photo credit: Chicago Children’s Museum

Bronzeville Children’s Museum 

The country’s first African American children’s museum, exhibits include a tour of healthy eating, African American inventors who changed lives, Bronzeville’s top landmarks and STEM activities. The museum is best for kids ages 4-9. Before you go, check out our family guide to the museum and find the best places to eat, shop and explore with kids in Bronzeville. 

Chicago Children’s Museum

Two levels of hands-on activities include rotating exhibitions, playing with a fire engine, climbing a tower to the second floor, exploring Cloud Buster that looks over Navy Pier, architecture experiments, an art studio and exhibits that will attract toddlers through tweens. Advanced ticket purchases are recommended.

Discovery Center Museum 

Exhibits for ages up to tweens include a planetarium, sports dress-up, electricity, an outdoor discovery park, a tot spot, health and body, weather, bubbles and more. Monthly activities rotate and highlight science, nature and agriculture among others, helping kids discover their passions. It’s worth the trip to Rockford to try it out.

DuPage Children’s Museum

Daily drop-in events include story time, music and movement and time in the studio. Rotating exhibitions add to permanent hands-on exhibits about energy, architecture, physics and art, and there’s even a spot designed just for kids under 2.

KidsWork Children’s Museum

  • Closed. Reopening in New Lenox in October 2024

Kids and parents can enjoy two floors of activities full of interactives, including a stage, pin screen, fire station, space machine, art area, large Operation table and even a tot spot.

Kohl Children’s Museum

  • Address: 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview
  • Cost: $19/ages 1-64, $18/seniors 65-plus, free/ages 12 months and under and members; advance general admission reservations save $2/ticket

Kids can play, test, try and put their hands on nearly everything at Kohl. The museum has opportunities for littles put on coats to be doctors, play on a train board, explore outdoors and so much more. In addition to a revolving exhibition area, the museum hosts events and festivals throughout the year.

Oak Lawn Children’s Museum

Exhibits range from water and sand tables to gravity experiments to a grocery store and moo cafe to a crawlers/infant-only area. Kids learn about air, dairy, movement, STEM and music. Always check the website before you go.

Wonder Works Children’s Museum

  • Address: 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park
  • Cost: $15/person, $13/active military, teacher, first responder and senior 65-plus, free/under 12 months

The hands-on museum is recommended for birth to age 8 and is all located on one floor. Kids can sort groceries, visit the “fire house,” ride in kid-sized vehicles, make art and one of the seven “experience zones” includes an outdoor organic garden. Weekly and monthly specials include story times, art, sewing, nature and science, transportation, the senses and more.

Animals

Photo credit: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Daily Critter Connections and Animal Feedings let kids touch and feel animals keep families coming back to Peggy Notebaert. Those, and the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, where butterflies of all kinds, colors and sizes fly around and even land on visitors. Hands-on exhibits let kids learn about water, rivers, the environment. “Nature’s Playplace” is a play area for children up to 7-years-old and has 25 interactives.

Shedd Aquarium

Kids can touch aquatic animals or see them up close at one of the daily presentations. Exhibits include fish, sharks, penguins, dolphins, sea lions and other water animals in their regular habitats, showing life in rivers, streams and different ocean environments. The aquarium offers many family-friendly events throughout the year. Get our best tips for exploring the museum with kids in our family guide. 

History

Photo credit: Chicago History Museum

Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County

Located in the Lake County Forest Preserves, the museum includes a Dryptosaurus skeleton, information about prehistoric Lake County, lessons and artifacts about Native Americans who lived in Lake County, the American Frontier and Civil War. Great for kids ages 6 and older, there are also rotating art exhibits and monthly events and programs.

Cantigny Park 

  • Address: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
  • Cost: $5/per vehicle weekdays through Oct. 31, 2024; $10/per vehicle on Fridays after 5 p.m. (June – August); $15/per vehicle weekends May through October; $20/per vehicle on concert Sundays; free/Wednesdays (advance registration required). Prices vary on holidays. 

The former home of Colonel Robert McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune and member of the U.S. Army’s First Division, two museums sit on the 500-acre land in the western suburbs. The Robert R. McCormick Museum teaches visitors about the public and private life of the man while The First Division Museum houses interactive military historical exhibits.

Monthly and seasonal events bring visitors to the grounds, which also includes three miles of walking trails, a golf course, classes in the education center, and a cafe and gift shop in the Visitors Center.

Chicago History Museum

  • Address: 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
  • Cost: $19/adults, $17/seniors and students ages 19-22, free/ages 12 and under, members and Illinois residents 18 and under

Learn about Chicago and Illinois in the time of Lincoln and Robert McCormick and beyond, then view the photographic archives of the Chicago Sun-Times and squeeze yourself into a Chicago-style hot dog. This museum is most fun for kids ages 6 and older who have a background in U.S. history.

DuSable Museum of African American History 

Visitors learn about the Chicago Race Riots, the role of the African American soldier and the history of Harold Washington. This museum is best for students ages 7 and older. Enjoy free museum admission on Wednesdays. 

Elmhurst History Museum 

Rotating exhibitions have included trains, marriage, political posters, Snoopy, the power of children, roller skating and Disco Demolition. Weekly and monthly events include crafts and workshops geared toward preschool to late elementary students.

Field Museum 

Seeing Sue the T.rex is on every Chicagoan’s bucket list. But Sue isn’t the only dino at the Field Museum. Kids can learn about ancient civilizations, meet and talk to scientists, learn about Earth conservation and test out the hands-on space in the Crown Family PlayLab.

Illinois Holocaust Museum

  • Address: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
  • Cost: $18/adults, $12/seniors 65-plus, $8/students up to age 22 with ID, $6/ ages 5-11, free/under 5

Best for ages 8 and older (because of the subject matter), the Harvey L. Miller Family Youth Exhibition center teaches kids about Upstanders and how to stand up for themselves. They can peek into the school lockers of kids like Rosa Parks, help solve problems and even tell their own stories. Permanent exhibits include interactive hologram and survivor stories experiences. General admission includes the virtual reality experience, “The Journey Back”.

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian

What makes this museum unique and great for kids is the “Touch Tables,” where visitors are allowed to touch any items on the tables labeled such throughout the museum. The second floor also has a “Teaching Lodge,” where visitors can climb inside and learn about the different types of natural materials used to make the temporary shelters. 

Naper Settlement

  • Address: 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
  • Cost: May-September: $12/ages 13-plus, $10/seniors 62-plus, $8/ages 4-12, free residents and kids under 4; October-April: $6/ages 13-plus, $5/seniors 62-plus, $4/ages 4-12, free residents and kids under 4

The living history community tells the story of Naperville in its early settlement days. Historic buildings can be toured in the summer months and the visitor’s center is open year-round for revolving exhibits. Kids will be charmed by costumed villagers and special events include a summer outdoor concert series.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

Located within the University of Chicago, visitors can learn about ancient Middle East with artifacts excavated by the school’s archeologists. Galleries about Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Anatolia, and the ancient site of Megiddo are permanent and rotating exhibitions include events for kids, adults and seniors.

Swedish American Museum

  • Address: 5211 N. Clark St., Chicago
  • Cost: $6/adults, $4/seniors, students and kids, $15/family (two adults and three kids under 18)

The Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration located on the third floor includes a 20-foot steamship and a Swedish farmhouse with cow to milk, table to set and chores to be done. Kids will also learn about pioneer life in a log cabin.

Pullman Porter Museum 

The museum celebrates African Americans in labor history, focusing on Pullman Porters. On a National Monument dedicated by President Barack Obama in 2015, the museum is best for ages 7 and older, and is great in the summer when your family can also visit the Pullman Monument. 

Art Museums for Families in Chicagoland 

Photo credit: Art Institute of Chicago

American Writers Museum

Avid readers will enjoy both the permanent and temporary exhibits. For littles, visit the Children’s Literature Gallery, which features an interactive reading space.

Art Institute of Chicago

  • Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
  • Cost: $32/adults, $26/ages 14-17, students and seniors 65-plus, free/ages 13 and under. Discounted rates for Illinois and Chicago residents. 

Kids will enjoy getting creative at the drop-in family arts programs. There is also a gallery of artwork made by children, families and teens, as well as the chance to visit the gallery’s permanent and rotating exhibits. Find the best exhibits for kids in our family museum guide. 

Chicago Architecture Center 

Learn more about the city architecture with their interactive exhibits. All ages will love to get out of the museum for an architecture walking, bus or L tour.

Elmhurst Art Museum 

The museum hosts family day workshops monthly and includes interactive exhibits in its rotating exhibition schedule. The McCormick House, a Mies van der Rohe-designed structure, is on the museum campus, and interactive programs and exhibits are often held there.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Ongoing weekend programs at the museum include workshops for kids to learn about identifying rocks and minerals or learning how to make jewelry. Collections include gemstones, fossils and an ornate castle.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Family Days on the second Saturday of each month give parents and kids an opportunity to dive into art using different mediums. Stroller tours on the first Wednesday of the month give babies and toddlers their first looks at contemporary art without the parent worry of noise in a gallery.

Smart Museum of Art

In the warmer months, kids of all ages will love visiting the outdoor sculpture garden and all year long families can try their hands and Family Day on the first Saturday of the month. Located on the University of Chicago campus, students, faculty and alumni often contribute to the exhibitions.

National Museum of Mexican Art

From folk art to photography to textiles, the National Museum of Mexican Art capitalizes on its galleries and exhibitions with ongoing and family-friendly events.

More Cool Museums for Families in Chicagoland

Photo credit: Adler Planetarium

Adler Planetarium 

The Community Design Labs are family-friendly and destinations for all ages. Younger ones will enjoy seeing Big Bird and Elmo in “One World, One Sky.” 

Chicago Sports Museum 

  • Address: 835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago
  • Cost: $10/ages 12-64, $8/college students with ID, $6/seniors 65-plus and kids ages 4-11, free/under 3

The interactive experiences are high-tech and a must for Chicago sports fans of all ages. Kids can try on championship rings, geek out in the fan section and learn about players’ superstitions.

Homewood Science Center 

The museum has a combined online and in-person model to teach kids more about STEM topics.

International Museum of Surgical Sciences

This is certainly a museum for older kids, but they’ll enjoy everything from the mural gallery to the Hall of Immortals. Watch the museum’s website for family-friendly events and crafts days.

Museum of Illusions 

There’s a Smart Playroom with games to challenge yourself or your family. An anti-gravity room, an infinity room, tunnels and a place to take photos of the kids with their heads on a platter are all part of the fun of the Chicago museum.

Museum of Science and Industry 

This is an “everything” museum. From history to STEM to weather to live chicks, MSI has it all. Toddlers through early elementary are drawn to the Idea Factory, where they can build and play with water. Older kids love the flight simulator. Before you go, get our best tips and ideas for making the most of your day at MSI in our family museum guide. 

Sloomoo Institute

Dive into the sensory world of slime for 60-90 minutes. Enhanced experience includes a shower of slime. Check website for sensory-friendly days.

Volo Auto Museum 

An entire section for kids includes vehicles used in the parades at Disney theme parks, a gallery of Warner Bros. vehicles and Disney dioramas, antique arcade and kiddie rides and more. Additional tickets are required for Jurassic Gardens, the indoor dinosaur exhibit. Learn more about all the wild, wacky and wonderful exhibits at Volo Museum in our family guide. 

wndr Museum

  • Address: 1130 W. Monroe St., Chicago
  • Cost: $32+/adults, $26+/active military and veterans with ID, $22+/ages 3-12, free/ages 2 and under

Head to wndr Museum where visitors can interact with art and experience great photo opportunities.

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Hillary Bird
Hillary Bird
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