40 Free Things to Do with Kids in Chicagoland

The Chicago area offers so much family fun ranging from amazing museums, thrill-seeking attractions and unique desserts. But when going out with kids, we know some of these excursions can get really expensive.

Sometimes we want to visit a kid-friendly place without spending a dime. Lucky for us, Chicago and the surrounding suburbs do offer some great, free options for families. We gathered some of our favorite free things to do with kids in Chicagoland — both indoor and outdoor!

And if you’re looking for more budget-friendly ideas, find free local events in our online calendar and save the dates for these upcoming free museum days.

City

Photo Credit: Choose Chicago/Abel Arciniega

Chicago Cultural Center

Address: 78 E. Washington St., Chicago

Exploring in this grand old building can be a ton of fun on its own (it’s home to the world’s largest Tiffany stained glass dome). There are also free art exhibits, dance events and concerts.

The 606

Address: 1805 N. Ridgeway Ave., Chicago

This 2.7-mile elevated park trail is built on what used to be an abandoned rail line. Now it’s green space full of art and a great place to spend a sunny afternoon as a family, whether on bike or on foot.

Maggie Daley Park

Address: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago

Where else can you find a life-sized ship, 30-foot-tall suspension bridge tower, a mini-lighthouse, spiral slides and an enchanted forest of upside-down trees, all meant to inspire play and imagination? There’s so much to do here!

Smart Museum of Art

Address: 5550 S Greenwood Ave., Chicago
COVID-19 Updates: Reservations required.

The Smart Museum of Art, the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, is always free. Our favorite time to visit is Family Day, usually held monthly, but the program is now virtual due to COVID-19.

Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park

Address: 2700 S. Halsted St., Chicago

Once a landfill, this nature park has transformed to an urban oasis where families can explore wetland terraces and get a great view of our great city skyline.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Address: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago

See all the lions and tigers and bears you want, for free! The zoo is open 365 days a year. Plus, there are plenty of kid-friendly spots to explore there like the Farm-in-the-Zoo and the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

Harold Washington Library Center

Address: 400 S. State St., Chicago
COVID-19 updates: The Maker Lab and Winter Garden are closed until further notice.

Neighborhood libraries are great, but this library located downtown is pretty amazing. Inside, you’ll find the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library that offers activities and learning materials for kids of all ages.

Northerly Island Park

Address: 1521 S. Linn White Drive., Chicago

Near Adler Planetarium, this 91-acre peninsula is worth the stop if you’re exploring the Lakefront Trail. There are usually several free events hosted there year-round.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Address: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago
COVID-19 updates: Reservations required

Tropical palms and delicate exotic flowers will make you think that you’re not in Chicago as you explore Garfield Park Conservatory. Families can spend plenty of time at the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden, too.

National Museum of Mexican Art

Address: 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago

Head to Pilsen to see the 10,000-piece permanent collection showcasing Mexican art and culture. Take a gallery tour or stop by at one of their special events.

North/Northwest Suburbs

Wagner Historic Farm, Photo *Credit: Walter John Terry Jr.*

River Trail Nature Center

Address: 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook

Nature centers are not only budget-friendly, but they provide a great educational option for kids. Head to Northbrook to explore River Trail Nature Center’s trails and exhibits for free.

Baha’i House of Temple

Address: 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette

Built in 1953, this temple is one of the seven Baha’i temples in the world. Families can walk around the gorgeous white dome surrounded by green trees.

Northbrook Court

Address: 1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook

Here’s a mall that has an indoor playground a little different from other mall play spaces. Designed by Chicago Children’s Museum, Northbrook Play offers a free, kid-friendly environment for littles to explore.

Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park

Address: North McCormick Boulevard, Skokie

You can find 60 pieces of art in this Skokie sculpture park. The trail is about two miles long — try turning the trip into a fun family bike ride!

Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area

Address: 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods

Save this trip in the fall if you want to catch breathtaking autumn colors in the woodlands. Note: You’re not allowed to bring bikes or pets since the park is designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve.

Fort McHenry

Address: Prairie Trail, McHenry

It’s rare to see wooden playgrounds in public parks anymore and this one is worth the drive. Inside you’ll find slides, monkey bars and more for kids to have a great time.

Historic Wagner Farm

Address: 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview

Travel back in time at this 18.6-acre farm that shares a farm life experience during the early 20th century. Inside, you can visit the 1920s farmhouse, visit the livestock and learn something new.

Illinois Beach State Park

Address: 1 Lake Front Drive, Zion

While the city offers easy access to Lake Michigan, you can still enjoy the lake up in the North Shore. Illinois Beach State Park has the beach, of course, and a nature area for families, too.

Wildlife Discovery Center

Address: 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest

Explore a living natural history museum in Lake Forest. Inside, kids can meet reptiles, birds and other creatures.

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Address: 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights

While we love a library that has a great children’s section, Arlington Heights Memorial Library is worth the trip when they’re hosting one of their free traveling exhibits.

South Suburbs

Photo Credit: *Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park*

Bird Haven Greenhouse

Address: 225 Gougar Road, Joliet

If you spend time at Pilcher Park, you have to visit the Bird Haven Greenhouse. You’ll find flowers, waterfalls, plants and more.

Lake Katherine Nature Center

Address: 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights

Lake Katherine Nature Center has one of our favorite waterfalls in the Chicago area. Families will like the 1-mile trail to explore the outdoors.

Homewood Railroad Viewing Platform

Address: 2020 Chestnut Road, Homewood

For kids who love trains, you can hang out at Homewood’s Rail Park to wave at the trains traveling down the rails.

Joliet Iron Works Historic Site

Address: Columbia Street, Joliet

Have you ever hiked through a former iron manufacturing facility? It might sound eerie, but you can walk through to find abandoned ruins of the building from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park

Address: 1 University Drive, University Park

Here’s another sculpture park that’s completely free! At Governors State University, you can walk up to 100 acres to find 30 of their sculptures.

Orland Park Public Library

Address: 14921 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park

While the library usually offers great events and storytimes for kids inside, you can take some time to explore their StoryWalk outside. The stories change four times a year.

Richard Haas Murals

Address: Downtown Homewood

Homewood is already a suburb worth exploring. If you’re looking for a free activity, the village has one of the largest collections of Richard Haas murals outdoors.

Benches on the Avenue

Address: Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park

From mid-May to October, Downtown Tinley Park decorates their benches with a kid-friendly theme in mind. This year, the theme is “Album Cover Tour” with different genres and eras of music.

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

Address: Lemont

Families that hike will love to wander the 11 miles of trails at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. Don’t forget to take some photos at Rocky Glen Waterfall.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs

One of our favorite nature centers features a historical schoolhouse built in 1886. You can also find indoor and outdoor nature-themed play areas, live animals, and more kid-friendly activities.

Western Suburbs

Yorktown Center

Address: 203 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard

Yorktown Center’s PLAY area offers 2,000 square-feet of interactive learning activities. Plus, the food court has a children’s dining area with an educational mural from Brookfield Zoo.

Naperville Riverwalk

Address: 188 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville

Walk down the Naperville Riverwalk on a beautiful day where you’ll find a playground, skate park, fountains and more.

Oak Park Conservatory

Address: 615 Garfield St., Oak Park

The botanical garden showcases their finest plants and flowers in three indoor rooms with the following themes: Mediterranean, tropical and desert.

Kline Creek Farm

Address: 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago

Kline Creek Farm presents themselves as a living history museum with 19th century farm activities and special programs throughout the year.

Elmhurst Public Library

Address: 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst

The Kids’ Library offers a fun environment for kids of all ages to share their love of reading. Younger kids will love to spend some time playing with toys and puppets in The Learning Garden, while older kids can play video games in the Middle School Hangout.

Mt. St. Mary Park

Address: Route 31 and Prairie Street, St. Charles

In Fox Valley, you can take a seat with Mr. Eggwards, the iconic Humpty Dumpty statue at Mt. St. Mary Park. Follow the paved path to find even more sculptures.