Affectionately known as the Windy City, Chicago has enough to do to keep you and your little ones entertained for a month. With a diverse food scene, a plethora of museums, and interactive activities, there are plenty of awesome ways to enjoy all that the city has to offer! Below you will find all of our favorite things to do in Chicago with kids!
20 Things To Do In Chicago With The Kids
Things That You Can ONLY Do in Chicago with Kids (Including Some Yummy Food!)
Chicago SkyDeck
Photo Courtesy of Skydeck Chicago
The SkyDeck in Chicago sits on the 103rd floor over 1,300 feet above the Chicago streets. It is an absolutely gorgeous view. Your kids will love walking out on the Ledge, which is an all-glass room that extends just outside of the building. Get there early to avoid the long lines or pre-buy tickets here!
Best In Chow Food Tour
The Best In Chow Food Tour is a three-hour-long tour that spans about 1.5 miles across Chicago. You and your kids will enjoy samples from a variety of different restaurants while getting a good look at Chicago landmarks. Plus, you don’t get as full as you’d think with good walking and learning breaks!
Chicago Magic Lounge
You really don’t know what to expect when you first walk into the small laundromat room that is the Chicago Magic Lounge, though you are in for a show. It is one of the best-kept magic secrets in the city, perfect for the little ones!
Reno Chicago
Once you’re done exploring the Pizza Museum, it is time to get some pizza of your own. We recommend heading down to Reno Chicago to get a taste of some of the most mouthwatering pizza you will ever lay your taste buds on!
Tall Ship Windy- #1 Thing To Do in Chicago to Teach Your Kids About History
Tall Ship Windy is one of the most unique ways to see Chicago. This trip takes place on a 148-foot, four-masted schooner. You’ll learn a ton about sailing, as well as the history of Chicago.
Weber’s Bakery
There is nothing quite like the fresh smell of creams and bread in the morning. Weber’s is one of the oldest family-owned Chicago bakeries, which opened in 1930. It’s the best place in the city to fulfill all your donut cravings.
Emerald City Theatre
The Emerald City Theatre is one of the best kid-friendly places to catch a play in the city. The theatre is very small and intimate, though the shows are spectacularly engaging, perfect for keeping your kids interested through every second.
Museums & Other Educational Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Adler Planetarium
Photo Courtesy of Adler Planetarium
If your children are big fans of outer space, we recommend checking out the Adler Planetarium. There is a wonderful Walk Through Space and Time exhibit, as well as a hands-on Planet Explorers exhibit. There is even a show for little ones with characters from Sesame Street! Grab your tickets here.
Escape Game
The Escape Game in Chicago is a unique indoor activity that your family will love. Essentially, you and your family are put in a room with 60 minutes to get out. It is a wonderful problem-solving game with exciting twists and turns! There are also five immersive adventures to choose from, perfect for any taste!
Museum of Science And Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry provides kids with hands-on activities, helping them to find simplicity in the most complex of things. There is an awesome farm area where your kids can sit in a tractor or watch chicks hatch. There is even a smaller space for young kids under 10.
Chicago Children’s Museum
The Chicago Children’s Museum is located on the Navy Pier and has multiple stories of exhibits that are perfect for kids under 10. They can hang out in the house and restaurant areas, where they can build their own homes and get “jobs”.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is absolutely massive and is home to many species of fish. With over 32,000 different animals and five million gallons of water exhibits to choose from, you can experience everything from jellyfish to Beluga whales.
Art Institute Of Chicago
Perfect for your artistic child, the Art Institute of Chicago has many hands-on activities for little ones, including an Artist Studio and an Art Museum. We recommend this for older kids, as they will have more of an appreciation for the artwork. Get Fast Pass admission here!
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the top nature museum in Chicago, featuring natural history showcases of the Chicago region. It was founded back in 1857 and offers a wonderful array of exhibitions, including a butterfly haven, water lab, wilderness walk, and more! Learn more about it here.
U.S. Pizza Museum- Can’t-Miss Thing To Do in Chicago with Kids!
The U.S. Pizza Museum is an entirely unique Chicago experience. Here you can celebrate the history of one of America’s favorite foods: pizza. Here, you and your little ones can explore an array of unusual pizza artifacts and memorabilia.
Things To Do in Chicago with Kids that Get You Outdoors
Centennial Ferris Wheel At The Navy Pier
The Centennial Ferris Wheel is not only fun for the little ones, but it offers some of the best views of Chicago on the lakefront. You can hop on by checking in with the Loews Hotel or get a Go Chicago Explorer Pass.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo was created in 1868, and is one of the oldest zoos in the country. Visitor admission is totally free, as this zoo aims to inspire and educate local youth to learn more about the natural world. With over 35 acres to explore, you won’t miss a thing!
Skating Ribbon- #1 Thing To Do in the Winter with Kids in Chicago
The Skating Ribbon is one of the best places to visit in the winter. You can rent skates during the winter season and curve around the track with incredible views of the surrounding city. Make sure to get there before the Zamboni comes through!
Walk Around Andersonville
Andersonville is the perfect place to find a small-town feel, even with the massive skyscrapers that crowd the downtown area. Here you can find a massive toy store, a Women and Children’s first bookstore, and a one-of-a-kind candy shop with delicious treats to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Wrigley Field
When in Chicago, there are a couple of things you must do. Eat pizza and see Wrigley Field. It is the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs and was built way back in 1914. There are a couple of neat ways to see the stadium; you can attend a game, go on a tour, or even fly over in a helicopter! Even if you aren’t a big baseball fan, I would recommend at least walking around the outside of the stadium and checking out the statues.
Hop on a Bike!- #1 Thing To Do in the Summer with Kids in Chicago
The Bike and Roll company offers bike and segway rentals, perfect for getting around the city in a unique and exciting way. You can use these bikes to explore the whole 26 miles of lakefront trails throughout the city for some pretty breathtaking views! Check out some of their tours and pricing here.
Maggie Daley Park
Maggie Daley Park is urban and funky, with beautiful views of the city skyline soaring above. It is a great place to take a break and kick back with little ones. The jungle gyms are unique with some bigger super fun slides that will catch your kid’s attention. This is also where the Skating Ribbon we mentioned above is located.
Enjoy the Windy City & All the Great Things To Do in Chicago with Kids!
We all know that traveling with kids can make things a bit more complicated. Luckily, Chicago has a little something for everyone, making it a very family-friendly destination. We hope that we’ve inspired you to make the most of your time!
What Things Are You Most Excited To Do In Chicago With The Kids?
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