Top Kid-Friendly Activities in Chicago to Add to Your 2025 Bucket List

Chicago is home to stunning architecture, a massive lakefront, world-class cultural institutions and unique tourist attractions. Foodies, sports fans, photographers and avid travelers love Chicago for reasons that are diverse as the city’s 77 neighborhoods. 

Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, getting to play tourist in Chicago is always exciting. On your next day out in the city, use this list of 101 kid-friendly things to do in Chicago to check off iconic bucket list items or discover a new-to-you hidden gem. 

Check something off your Chicago bucket list

Whether you’re a suburbanite or a city dweller, you’re not a true Chicagoan until you’ve checked a few of these quintessential city attractions off your Chicago bucket list. After all, it can be fun to play tourist in your own city! 

1. Visit Navy Pier. Ride the Centennial Ferris Wheel, take in the gorgeous lakefront views and enjoy the countless attractions and eateries that Navy Pier offers families.

2. Go sightseeing by boat. Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing on foot, switch up your vantage point by seeing the city from a boat tour. 

3. Step out on The Ledge, a glass balcony that suspends guests off the 103rd floor of the Sears — uh, I mean Willis — Tower. 

4. Get your adrenaline pumping at TILT. Located inside the John Hancock Center, the observation deck features stunning views and a thrilling ride. 

5. Tour the neighborhoods. Explore Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods beyond downtown with our family guides, showcasing the city’s culture, charm and hidden gems! 

Indulge in a food tour

Chicago is a foodie’s paradise from staples like Italian beef and Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs to incredible desserts and yummy allergy-friendly options. Here are just a few ideas for creating your own family food tour. 

6. Thin crust or deep dish? Decide your favorite Chicago pizza style! Explore family-friendly spots serving deep dish, tavern-cut, vegan, and even mac ‘n’ cheese pies!

7. Try a Chicago-style hot dog. Kids love Portillo’s quirky decor and Superdawg’s iconic statues and fun, kid-friendly meals.

8. Satisfy everyone with grilled cheese! Check out spots like Cheesie’s and Everdine’s for the best melts in Chicago and suburbs. 

9. Visit Garrett’s. Bring home a taste of Chicago by picking up a snack from Garrett Popcorn Shop. The classic Garrett mix combines rich cheddar and sweet caramel popcorn for the perfect sweet-and-salty snack. 

10. Indulge in Chicago’s sweetest treats! From epic milkshakes to vegan desserts, these Chicagoland spots satisfy every sweet tooth. 

11. The Underground Donut Tour is a great way to get your sugar fix while learning a bit about the city’s history and architecture. 

12. Visit a themed restaurant. Turn your next family meal into an exciting experience with a visit to one of these themed restaurants for Chicagoland families. 

Visit a cultural gem

Chicago is a cultural hub with world class institutions for families to enjoy, including art, history and science museums. Here are a few of the city’s great cultural centers and events to visit with kids. 

13. Chicago Cultural Center is one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The landmark building offers free admission and features two stunning stained-glass domes and hosts free public events throughout the year. 

14. Educate your family on the city’s history. Discover Chicago’s history at the Chicago History Museum—engaging stories, cultural insights and free entry for kids and Illinois teens!

15. Channel your own Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. Enjoy iconic art, Chagall windows and family scavenger hunts for an unforgettable cultural experience.

16. Admission to the National Museum of Mexican Art is always free. Located southwest of downtown in Pilsen, the museum features a diverse collection of paintings, photography, textiles, sculptures and more that span 3,600 years of creativity. 

17. When exploring Humboldt Park, a trip to The National Puerto Rican Museum is a must! The community art museum offers free admission and features exciting temporary exhibits and permanent collections from the late-18th century through present day. 

18. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a great destination for hands-on learning and discovery. With 13 learning labs, 35,000 artifacts, a baby chicken hatchery, nine permanent exhibits and more temporary installations, there is a lot of ground to cover. 

19. Visit The Field Museum where your family can discover dinosaurs, travel the globe, visit ancient civilizations and much more. I have many fond memories of visiting the museum’s beloved Sue the T.rex! 

20. The DuSable Museum of African American History is an excellent education center with kid-friendly exhibits and programming. Illinois residents enjoy free admission on Wednesdays. 

21. Explore the cosmos. Have a family adventure that’s out of this world with a trip to the Adler Planetarium. Located on Museum Campus, the planetarium offers great exhibits, sky shows and even stunning lakefront views. 

22. Tour a national monument. Chicago’s only national monument is Pullman National Historic Park. The site is free to visit and highlights the stories of workers and community members that created one of the nation’s first planned industrial communities. 

23. See a spectacular performance. Enjoy the city’s thriving theater scene by attending one of these must-see theater shows for families. 

Cheer on a Chicago sports team

With a sports team for every major pro sport, thriving minor and amateur leagues and a fierce crosstown rivalry between two MLB teams, Chicago is a great city to spend the day catching a game and cheering on the home team. 

24. Play ball! Take the red line to historic Wrigley Field to cheer on the Chicago Cubs. 

25. Catch a Chicago White Sox game! Go for an exciting day of baseball, stay for the great kids’ activities in the Xfinity Kids Zone. 

26. Cheer on the Chicago Bulls at United Center. From thrilling dunks to fan-friendly entertainment, it’s a game night the whole family will love!

27. Bundle up and hit the ice for a Chicago Blackhawks game. Cheer for your team while enjoying an unforgettable atmosphere.

28. Bear down! See the Chicago Bears play at Soldier Field. Enjoy football, stunning skyline views and a spirited fan experience!

Attend an iconic event with your kids

Consider adding one of these annual events to your Chicago Bucket List for an experience that is quintessential Chicago. 

29. See a Navy Pier fireworks show. Watch vibrant displays over Lake Michigan every Wednesday and Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

30. The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free air and water show in the country. Occurring in late summer, families line up along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street to watch incredible airplane stunts over Lake Michigan. 

31. Eat your way through Chicago. If you don’t have time for a food tour, the Taste of Chicago is a great way to get a sampling of the city’s iconic dishes and culinary delicacies. The annual festival also has live performances and family entertainment. 

32. Buckle up! Take the kids to McCormick Place for the Chicago Auto Show, the longest running auto exhibition in the country that happens annually in February. 

33. Attend a comic convention. Pop culture junkies and self-declared nerds will love dressing up and browsing vendors, meeting their favorite actors and creators and more at the C2E2 comic con. 

34. Enjoy some live music as a family at Lollapalooza. The festival features the biggest names in pop and alternative music and even has a mini festival just for kids. 

35. Dine out. At the beginning of the calendar year, find all the great deals and delicious menus that will be offered for Chicago Restaurant Week. 

Lose yourself in an immersive experience

Just like any other major city, Chicago is home to many pop ups, selfie museums and interactive experiences. Here are a few recommendations for immersive attractions that kids and grown ups of all ages can enjoy. 

36. Flyover is the newest immersive experience in Chicago. See the city from a bird’s eye view on this exciting VR ride at Navy Pier that “flies” visitors over Chicago.

37. Experience the rainbow at Color Factory. With colorful installations and activities that will pique all of your senses, Color Factory goes above and beyond the typical selfie museum. I would recommend this art experience to everyone!

38. Capture the perfect #travelgram photo at WNDR Museum. The interactive selfie museum is filled with unique art installations, trendy photo ops and exciting surprises. 

39. CAMP is a hybrid experience/retail store for kids that offers exciting in-store activities, along with popular pop up experiences like the famous Bluey.

40. Museum of Ice Cream is one of the city’s sweetest attractions. Enjoy unique treats, games, a sprinkle pool and endless pink-themed family fun.

41. Prepare to be dazzled! Older kids will be mesmerized at the Museum of Illusions. The museum’s recent expansion includes 20 new mind-bending exhibits, illusions, games and puzzles. 

42. Enjoy multi-sensory play at Sloomoo Institute, Chicago’s very own slime factory! Using a DIY bar with 60 scents, over 40 colors and 150 charms, kids can create their own lime. There are also play rooms with kinetic sand, ASMR experience and other sensory surprises. 

43. Travel to the suburbs to discover Wonderverse, a Sony entertainment center with escape rooms, VR experiences, bumper cars and a restaurant based on popular Sony entertainment like Ghostbusters and Zombieland.

Spend time in the great outdoors 

Chicago weather is notorious for being, well, a bit unstable. It’s not unusual to see people out enjoying the sunshine one day and bundled up to brave the snow the next. Winters here can be frigid, and summers can be hot hot hot! 

No matter what the forecast calls for, Chicago offers a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. Check out these nature spots and places for outdoor play the next time your family wants to enjoy a breath of fresh air. 

44. Maggie Daley Park is the ultimate playground in the heart of downtown. There are so many different play structures with adorable themes, a spray area, a rock climbing wall, a roller skating ribbon (ice skating in the winter), a Chicago-themed mini golf course and more. 

45. Enjoy skyline views, public art, fun activities and yummy eateries along the Chicago Riverwalk. 

46. Explore the Lakefront Trail and discover the parks, beach and neighborhoods that surround it. 

47. Go for a walk or ride bikes along The 606 elevated trail. 

48. Garfield Park Conservatory is a free conservatory with lush, tropical greenhouses, outdoor gardens and children’s play gardens. 

49. The free Lincoln Park Conservatory is home to exotic plants, themed showrooms, a gorgeous lawn and more natural wonders. 

50. Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The living museum is home to 28 gardens and four natural areas. If possible, I recommend planning your visit around the annual orchid show, typically held at the beginning of March. 

51. The Morton Arboretum is home to a wonderful children’s garden, a maze garden and an Acorn Express Tram that offers tours of the arboretum’s woodlands, wetlands and prairies. Check their event calendar before you go to find great family programming and events. 

52. Have a beach day at one of the best beaches for Chicagoland families. 

53. Enjoy a day on the water at these places to go kayaking with kids. 

54. Pick your own flowers and snap the perfect Instagram photo at one of these beautiful flower fields worth the drive from Chicago. 

Get up close with animals 

Lions, tigers and bears — and so much more! Your family can visit and learn about their favorite animals, enjoy nature-based activities and get up close and personal with wildlife at these zoos, nature centers and more. 

55. Visit a nature center. Chicagoland has many free nature centers that offer educational programming, nature activities, kid-friendly hiking trails and more for outdoorsy families.

56. The Lincoln Park Zoo is a gem for Chicagoland families. With free admission every day, there’s no limit to what your family will discover at this urban zoo. 

57. Located steps away from the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is home to a wonderful butterfly garden, nature programs and family events.  

58. Discover sea creatures, interact with marine life, see a dolphin show and enjoy much more under the sea fun at the Shedd Aquarium. 

59. Explore your family’s wild side at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The zoo has been adding many new exhibits and attractions in honor of its 90th birthday. 

Find new ways to play inside

Don’t let the rain dampen your family fun! Whether the weather isn’t cooperating or you just need a new place to play, kids can spend all day at these exciting indoor spots in Chicagoland. 

60. Play the day away at one of the best indoor play places in Chicagoland. Peppa Pig World of Play and Legoland Discovery Center are just two of our favorites! 

61. Play and learn alongside your kids at the DuPage Children’s Museum in downtown Naperville. Some of my own earliest memories are playing with my mom and little brother at the DuPage Children’s Museum, and the museum has only grown and improved since I was a tot! 

62. The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is a popular destination for indoor play. Their exhibits are truly one-of-a-kind. Just check out their latest exhibit, Circusville! 

63. Kids can learn about African American leaders, healthy eating and more at Bronzeville Children’s Museum, the only African American children’s museum in the nation. The museum has a great grocery store play space that kids will love! 

64. The Exploritorium is an indoor imagination playground in Skokie. 

65. Play board games and enjoy delicious Puerto Rican food at the Stay & Play Game Cafe. 

66. Enjoy arcade games, mini golf, kiddie rides and more at these indoor amusement parks around Chicagoland.

67. Putt around at these indoor mini golf courses in Chicagoland. 

68. Travel back in time with a day at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. 

69. Enjoy some old school fun at one of these Chicagoland roller rinks worth taking a spin at. 

70. Get active and test your mental and physical agility at Activate Games, a unique gaming center in Oak Brook. 

71. Spend the day at the library. These amazing children’s libraries in the city and suburbs offer free activities, a great selection of children’s books, toys and games and other learning resources for families. 

Embark on a thrilling adventure 

If your family loves an adrenaline-filled adventure, these amusement parks and thrilling adventure parks are sure to deliver tons of family fun.  

72. Get your thrills at Six Flags Great America, an amusement park with more than 45 attractions, including a water park, themed kiddie rides and gravity-defying roller coasters. 

73. Ho ho ho! Contrary to what its name might suggest, Santa’s Village is a summer amusement and water park in the northwest suburbs. Enjoy thrill rides and water attractions, all while enjoying winter decor and visits with Santa, all summer long. 

74. Rock climbing is a great activity for adventurous kids, especially when the Midwest weather isn’t cooperating with an outdoor adventure.

75. Climb through the treetops, bounce on trampolines that are 25 feet above the ground and test your skills in a forest escape room at Go Ape.

76. For the ultimate adventure, visit The Forge: Lemont Quarries and test your skills (and courage!) on the three-story high ropes course and 1,200-foot-long zipline.

Go on a magical quest 

Embark on a family quest to discover magical realms and mythological creatures, right here in Chicago! Magic is all around Chicagoland — if you know where to look! 

77. Go searching for dinosaurs. From fossil digs to animatronic dinos, there are dinosaurs hidden in plain sight all over Chicagoland. On your next family adventure, check out one of these places to see dinosaurs in Chicagoland.

78. Spot a mermaid. Lake Michigan is home to a variety of marine life, including mermaids! Here are the best places to spot a mermaid in Chicagoland. 

79. Transport your family back in time with a trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Meet acrobats, jousters, fairies and more whimsical folk at this exciting Renaissance faire. 

Take a day trip 

When you need a change of scenery, Chicago is just a drive away from these exciting destinations. 

80. Go hiking. A family hiking trip at Starved Rock is fun for all ages! You’ll want to leave the strollers at home, but boardwalks and clearly marked pathways make it easy to explore with kids.

 81. Enjoy a charming downtown area. Woodstock, Illinois is just 50 miles north of the city. The charming downtown has great dining options and shops. Discover exciting activities — like visiting a llama farm!— and tour the filming locations from the iconic film, Groundhog Day. 

82. Plan a beach day at Indiana Dunes, the closest national park to Chicago. 

83. Lake Geneva is a popular summer destination for families looking to relax on the water. 

84. A three-hour drive from Chicago, Galena is a quaint, historic town with so many places to eat, shop, play and explore with kids. I’ve taken a girls’ trip there and think it’s the perfect spot for some mother-daughter bonding. 

85. Make a splash at Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark capital of the world! 

Enjoy seasonal activities in Chicago

No matter what time of year you choose to explore Chicago, there are exciting seasonal activities and traditions to experience with your kids. Discover some of these traditions and events that are unique to Chicago. 

86. Go green. St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in Chicago. With four parades held in the city and countless more in the suburbs, the festivities go on all month long.

The most well-known St. Paddy’s celebration is the annual river dyeing where the Chicago River is dyed a vibrant green. Get all of the inside info for navigating the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parades with kids.   

87. Fat Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, and Chicagoans celebrate by eating paczki, indulgent Polish pastries that are traditionally filled with cream, custard or other yummy goodies. Here is where to find paczki in Chicago, but be warned — these delicacies sell out quickly! 

88. Go berry picking. Add fresh flavors to your spring and summer meals by picking your own berries at these farms near Chicago. 

89. Summer street festivals are an iconic component of Summertime Chi. These kid-friendly summer festivals celebrate everything from art and culture hot dogs, burgers and pierogies.

90. Browsing a farmers market is a great way to shop for produce and farm fresh goodies. You’ll also find live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and much more at local markets. 

91. Get sprayed. When the summer heat hits a little too hard, cool off at a splash pad or spray ground. 

92. Go apple picking. Welcome the fall season by picking your own apples at one of these apple orchards near Chicagoland. 

93. Get lost in one of these corn mazes. There are even haunted mazes and mazes to navigate by flashlight for older kids! 

94. Pick your own pumpkin, snap fall photos and enjoy apple cider goodies at these pumpkin patches near Chicagoland. 

95. Happy Thanksgiving! Kick off the fall holiday by watching or attending the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. 

96. Celebrate spooky season at Jack O’ Lantern World, a Halloween trail lined with hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns and seasonal photo ops. 

97. Enjoy holiday lights. Watch your child’s eyes light up at one of these dazzling holiday light displays. 

98. Go ice skating at Millenium Park or Maggie Daley Park and take in the downtown scenery as you glide across the ice. 

99. The Christkindlmarket is a beloved holiday tradition in Chicago. The open-air market has three locations across the city and suburbs. 

100. Get in the holiday spirit at ZooLights, the annual winter lights festival at Lincoln Park Zoo. 

101. Happy Lunar New Year! Start the new year off with a festive celebration at the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade.

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