5 Must-See Spring Museum Exhibits That Will Wow Your Chicagoland Kids

Chicagoland is packed with incredible museums, and this spring brings even more reasons to visit! Whether your kids love building, bugs, art, experiments or nature, there’s an exciting adventure waiting for them. 

From hands-on science fun to towering outdoor sculptures, these five must-see exhibits offer something for kids of all ages.

Read more: Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once

New Chicagoland exhibits to check out with kids

Build the biggest forts at DuPage Children’s Museum

Now open through April 30, 2025

• Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
• Cost: Included in general admission

Kids can take fort building to the next level at DuPage Children’s Museum’s newest exhibit, FUNtastic Forts. Spark their creativity and adventure with big blocks, blankets and giant tiles—learning engineering, teamwork, and storytelling along the way. Best part? You don’t have to clean up the mess!

Be brave and meet creepy crawlers at Peggy Notebaert Museum

Now open through May 4, 2025

• Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
• Cost: Included in general admission
• Tip: The museum is free to Illinois residents on Thursdays!

The Art and Science of Arachnids exhibit at Peggy Notebaert Museum doesn’t fall short on showing off scorpions, tarantulas and more! Explore interactive exhibits, test your web-weaving skills, step into the spider lab and even meet live arachnids. The whole family will learn why these eight-legged creatures are so incredible!

Step into Frida Kahlo’s Paris at the Art Institute of Chicago

Opens March 29, 2025

• Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
• Cost: $5 additional cost to general admission (kids under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 are always free!)

For your older kids interested in art, explore Frida Kahlo’s only trip to Europe and her unexpected friendship with avant-garde bookbinder Mary Reynolds. Be sure to visit the museum’s Ryan Learning Center on select Saturdays to create soap carvings (March 29), themed weaving art (April 19) and friendship versus rivalries crafts (May 17).

Become a Scientist at Kohl Children’s Museum’s Science + You

Opens April 26, 2025

• Address: 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview
• Cost: Included in general admission

Your little scientists can test out their next experiment with a kid-sized lab. Experiment with microscopes, mix and separate substances, and battle germs like antibodies. There is also a demonstration area where kids can have more science fun with live experiments. 

Marvel over Vivid Creatures at Morton Arboretum

Opens May 17, 2025

• Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
• Cost: Included in general admission

Celebrate spring with a burst of color thanks to these five giant animal sculptures coming soon to Morton Arboretum. On a nice day, families can take a nature walk to see deer, snails, dragonflies and more creatures ranging from 8 to 23 feet tall. Four sculptures are near the Visitor Center on accessible paths, while the rainbow-colored snail sits atop a hill near East Side parking.

This article was recently updated on March 28, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her featuring new museum exhibits to check out this spring. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.

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