Things to Do with Kids in Chicago

Three floors on Navy Pier: dinosaur dig, water play, building zone, art studio. Ages birth to 10. Kids under 1 free. Illinois residents get free admission on the first Sunday and Monday of each month.

Free zoo, open every day of the year. Regenstein African Journey, Pritzker Family Children's Zoo with a climbing area, Farm-in-the-Zoo with daily feedings. ZooLights in winter. No excuses not to go.

Largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. A real captured WWII German U-boat, a coal mine ride, Science Storms, and a massive model train layout. The Idea Factory is built for kids 0-10 with water play and building activities. Free for Illinois residents on select days.

32,000 animals. The Polar Play Zone is the spot for kids under 5 -- penguin habitat and touch pools. Abbott Oceanarium has beluga whales and dolphins. Illinois residents get discounted admission on certain days.

Crown Family PlayLab is free with admission -- kids ages 2-6 dig for fossils, build a beaver dam, crawl through a log. The rest of the museum has SUE the T. rex and Evolving Planet for older kids who want the real stuff.

Play garden with slides, climbing walls, bridges, and a separate toddler area -- all free. Skating Ribbon in winter (rentals available). Mini golf in summer. Fieldhouse with free programming. Parents regularly lose two to three hours here without meaning to.

Free to walk the pier. Centennial Wheel for skyline views and Pier Park carnival rides cost extra. The Polk Bros Park fountain is free and kids will not leave it in summer. Fireworks on summer Wednesday and Saturday nights.

Completely free, and massive. The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden lets kids dig in soil, play in a stream, and climb a twisting vine sculpture. Main conservatories have tropical palms, ferns, and desert plants. A legitimately great rainy-day move.

Whole floor for kids: free storytime, craft programs, STEM activities, and a play area. Thomas Hughes Children's Library runs daily programming. Every Chicago Public Library branch also runs free kids programs -- check your local branch.

Renovated playground with separate toddler and older-kid sections. Splash pad in summer. Ball fields. Fieldhouse with free Park District programming -- arts, sports, after-school. A neighborhood park that actually delivers.

Wizard of Oz-themed park with statues of the whole crew -- Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion. Big playground with modern equipment, sports fields, artificial turf area. Free. Lincoln Park families treat this as their backyard.

Walk-through Butterfly Haven with hundreds of live butterflies is the headliner. Nature play area for toddlers, water and animal exhibits, RiverWorks water table. Smaller and calmer than the big museums -- a toddler can actually make it through without a meltdown.

1.25-mile riverwalk, free to walk. Public art, seasonal play fountains kids love, kayak rentals, and architecture boat tours. McCormick Bridgehouse at the east end is worth a stop if your kid asks how bridges work. Free, year-round.

450+ species on 216 acres. Hamill Family Play Zoo lets kids pretend to be zookeepers. Butterflies! exhibit, dolphin show, and seasonal events (Holiday Magic, Dinos Everywhere). Free parking Tuesdays and Thursdays in winter. 14 miles west of downtown -- worth the drive.

1,700-acre outdoor museum of trees and plants with a dedicated Children's Garden featuring climbing structures, a splash pad, a hedge maze, and nature play areas. The Troll Hunt (giant wooden troll sculptures hidden in the woods) is a year-round scavenger hunt kids obsess over. 25 miles west of downtown. Worth the drive.

46 acres of restored prairie, wetland, savanna, and forest on the far North Side -- all free. Nature center with live animal exhibits, free guided nature walks, and seasonal programming. The trails are short enough for toddlers and interesting enough for older kids. One of the most underrated free family destinations in Chicago.

The first museum in the US dedicated to African American history and culture, located in Washington Park. Permanent and rotating exhibitions cover the full arc from Africa through the present. Free admission on Tuesdays. The Harold Washington Wing has interactive elements for school-age kids.

The Chicago Park District operates 50+ pools across the city, including indoor pools open year-round. Family swim sessions, lap swim, and swim lessons are available at no cost. Portage Park, McFetridge, and Welles Park all have indoor pools. The outdoor pools expand to 7-day-a-week service in summer 2026.

17 hands-on exhibits for kids under 8 in Glenview, 15 miles north of downtown. The Water Works area, play grocery store, and Construction Zone are standouts. The whole museum is sized for small kids -- no overwhelming halls or long walks. Manageable in 2-3 hours.

Two 50-foot glass towers project video faces of Chicagoans that periodically 'spit' water into a shallow reflecting pool. Kids splash around for hours. Free, no reservation, open May through October. Bring a towel and a change of clothes. One of the most fun free things in the city for kids under 10.

A city park with a small free zoo featuring ducks, alpacas, goats, and other animals. Also has a playground, splash pad, tennis courts, and a fieldhouse with free Park District programs. The zoo is compact enough for toddlers and the playground is well-maintained. A hidden gem on the far North Side.

One of Chicago's largest outdoor farmers markets runs every Sunday morning May through October on Logan Boulevard. The free kids zone includes face painting, crafts, music, and scavenger hunts. Grab produce and pastries while kids stay busy. Free to attend -- you only pay for what you buy.

Free outdoor skate park in Grant Park near the lakefront with concrete ramps, grinding rails, quarter pipes, and a gap jump. Open to skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades. All skill levels welcome. Helmets and pads recommended. Best for kids 8 and up who have some experience.

A 91-acre man-made peninsula on the lakefront near the Museum Campus. Walking trails through restored prairie, wetlands, and meadows with downtown skyline views. Free. Birdwatching is surprisingly good here. The trails are flat and stroller-friendly. Combine with the Field Museum or Shedd for a full day.

America's first planetarium. Sky shows for all ages (including sessions for kids as young as 4), space exploration exhibits, and a lookout terrace with possibly the best skyline view in the city. The Planet Explorers gallery is built for ages 3-8. Illinois residents get free admission on select days.