Family Fun in the Windy City
Chicago is a city that offers more than just iconic architecture and deep-dish pizza—it’s a haven for families looking for unforgettable experiences. From interactive museums and playful parks to immersive entertainment and cultural gems, there’s no shortage of exciting family activities in Chicago to captivate everyone in your family. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for new ways to entertain the kids, these family-friendly activities in Chicago promise fun, learning, and memories to last a lifetime!
Bobby’s Quick Picks for Kid-Friendly Things to do in Chicago
Plan your Chicago adventure with activities tailored to your family’s needs. Here are our top choices based on age:
For Families with Young Kids (Toddlers to Age 7)
- Lincoln Park Zoo: Free and perfect for little animal lovers. Visit Farm-in-the-Zoo to meet goats, cows, and chickens, or enjoy the Nature Boardwalk for a calm outdoor stroll.
- Maggie Daley Park: Explore the Play Garden with whimsical features like suspension bridges, tube slides, and a boat-themed playground, designed specifically for younger children.
- Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier: Hands-on exhibits like Kids Town let little ones play grown-up in a kid-sized world.
- Shedd Aquarium: The Polar Play Zone allows kids to dress up as penguins and crawl through ice caves, while marine life exhibits captivate their imaginations.
For Families with School-Aged Kids (Ages 8–12)
- Museum of Illusions: Kids can enjoy mind-bending exhibits and learn through fun optical illusions and puzzles.
- Maggie Daley Park: Take advantage of activities like mini-golf with Chicago-themed obstacles and the Skating Ribbon for an active day outdoors.
- Adler Planetarium: The Mission Moon exhibit and Planet Explorers area immerse kids in space exploration. Sky shows add extra excitement to the visit.
- Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Explore interactive exhibits on space, science, and technology in this innovative museum. Each section provides ample opportunities to learn in an entertaining way.
For Families with Teens (Ages 13+)
- Field Museum: See astounding fossils like Sue the T-Rex and Máximo the dinosaur, or dive into ancient Egypt with real mummies and artifacts.
- Lakefront Neighborhoods Bike Tour: A 3-hour bike tour exploring some of Chicago’s iconic neighborhoods like Old Town Lincoln Park, and Streeterville. Teens will love the mix of urban culture, historic sights, and Instagram-worthy stops.
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Ideal for a peaceful outing away from downtown. Teens will love the numerous panoramic, colorful views for stunning photos and unforgettable visuals.
Pro Tips for Families Visiting Chicago
Make the most of your family trip to Chicago with these handy tips:
- Transportation Made Easy: Use the CTA for budget-friendly transit. All buses and trains are stroller-accessible, and kids under 7 ride for free!
- Biking Around the City: Bobby’s Bike Hike offers everything you need for an outdoor adventure, including kid-sized bikes, trailers, and knowledgeable guides who can give tips on where to go and what to see.
- Free Activities: Take advantage of exploring free sites, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, and the Money Museum.
- Plan Ahead for Big Attractions: Popular spots like Navy Pier and the Skydeck can get very busy, especially in the summer, so arrive early and/or book tickets in advance.
- Pack Snacks and Water: While Chicago is a foodie paradise, carrying snacks can save time and keep little ones happy between meals.
What Are the Overall Best Family Activities in Chicago?
Chicago is packed with family-friendly fun, from hands-on museums and outdoor adventures to exciting performances and animal encounters. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, teens, or the whole crew, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy!
Chicago Botanic Garden: Nature and Seasonal Activities
Located just outside the city in Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a serene escape where families can explore nature’s beauty through gardens and interactive activities.
Take a stroll to see the intricate bonsai trees and smell the sweet roses or teach your kids about gardening at the hands-on Children’s Growing Garden. Throughout the year you’ll also find seasonal exhibits, including the Orchid Show in late winter, Butterflies & Blooms in summer, and the glowing Lightscape around the holidays.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is perfect for a peaceful, yet engaging day trip the entire family can enjoy.
Adler Planetarium: A Journey to the Stars
Located on Museum Campus, the Adler Planetarium offers interactive exhibits that ignite curiosity about space and science in both children and adults.
Explore exhibits designed for young explorers like Mission Moon to follow the story of America’s first lunar mission, or Other Worlds to learn about the different planets in our solar system while directly interacting with meteorite fragments and tactile globes. For younger children ages 3-8, check out Planet Explorers: a dedicated play area where kids can climb, explore, and imagine life as an astronaut. Be sure not to miss one of the captivating Sky Shows that take families through the stars and beyond in the immersive domed theater.
Adler Planetarium offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making it a must-visit for aspiring young space adventurers.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Interactive Learning
Just 8 miles south of downtown, the Museum of Science and Industry is the perfect place to take families interested in technology and science.
Here you’ll find large immersive exhibits, including Science Storms which allows you to walk through a 40-foot tornado, visualize tsunamis, and see a Tesla coil buzz with 1.5 million volts of electricity over your head. Step aboard real vehicles like a 1964 Boeing airplane, a Zephyr passenger train, and a German U-boat. You could spend an entire day marveling at the scale of the exhibits and engaging with all of the interactive elements in this museum.
Lincoln Park Zoo: Wildlife Encounters for Kids
As one of the country’s last free zoos, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a family favorite in Chicago.
Meet a diverse array of animals, including polar bears, lions, birds, and monkeys. Explore the Farm-in-the-Zoo, where kids can groom and feed farm animals. Also, walk along the Nature Boardwalk for a close-up look at native wildlife in Lincoln Park’s South Pond.
With its prime location near North Avenue Beach and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, this zoo makes for a fun and budget-friendly outing.
Navy Pier: Fun by the Water
Navy Pier is Chicago’s ultimate destination for family fun with its iconic waterfront attractions.
Ride the Centennial Wheel for panoramic views of the city and enjoy other amusement attractions including the Carousel and Drop Tower. Visit the Chicago Children’s Museum for hands-on play and learning. For an exhilarating immersive virtual experience, visit Flyover Chicago to see the city like you’ve never seen it before. After you’ve finished exploring, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants here serving authentic Chicago food, like Garrett’s Popcorn and the Billy Goat Tavern.
Depending on the time of year, enjoy seasonal events like summer fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the Winter Wonderland festivities during colder months.
Navy Pier is the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation, offering something for every age and family.
Family Food Bike Tour: Food & Chicago Highlights
A short walk from Navy Pier, head over to Bobby’s Bike Hike to join a Family Food Bike Tour.
Sample a classic Chicago-style hot dog and deep-dish pizza and bike through downtown on this scenic 4-hour tour. Led by an enthusiastic expert guide, you’ll stop by iconic sites like The Bean and Buckingham Fountain to grab some photos and see a few of the many architectural landmarks and vistas.
Bobby’s Bike Hike offers child bikes and equipment for younger riders, so adventurers of any age can join! A bike tour is the perfect way to see the city with your family in a short amount of time.
Museum of Illusions: Mind-Bending Fun
Located in the Loop, the Museum of Illusions is a mind-bending experience filled with 80+ interactive exhibits.
Discover optical illusions in tilted and upside-down rooms, challenge your mind to decipher 3D images, and enjoy the numerous photo opportunities with the perplexing installations. Blending arts and science to spark curiosity, kids and families will no doubt be entertained for an hour at this museum.
Maggie Daley Park: A Playful Escape
Maggie Daley Park is a family favorite featuring creative play areas and outdoor fun.
Adjacent to Millennium Park, Maggie Daley offers so much to see and do. Explore the Play Garden filled with playgrounds geared towards specific age groups, challenge your family at the Chicago-themed mini-golf course, and cruise around the Skating Ribbon that surrounds a 40-foot climbing wall.
With on-site dining options, Maggie Daley Park is an easy spot for families to spend an entire afternoon.
Shedd Aquarium: Underwater Wonders
Home to over 32,000 aquatic animals, Shedd Aquarium offers an immersive underwater experience.
Get up close to beluga whales and dolphins in the Abbott Oceanarium and learn about them during the daily 10-minute Animal Spotlights. Young explorers can learn and play in the underwater Polar Play Zone where they can also observe dolphins and sea otters splashing about. In other exhibits, watch penguins waddle around in their habitats or transport yourself to the Amazon River to see eels, ancient fish, and snakes.
With its multitude of aquatic exhibits, Shedd Aquarium is a mesmerizing destination for kids and parents alike.
Family Adventures Await in Chicago
There is a treasure trove of fun family activities in Chicago, offering everything from immersive entertainment to educational fun. Whether you’re exploring the depths of Shedd Aquarium, running around in a park, or sharing a family bike tour of the best Chicago sites, every moment in the Windy City is packed with excitement.
To make the most of your visit, check out the full lineup of Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago tours—from delicious food-focused rides to engaging neighborhood walks, there’s a family-friendly adventure waiting for everyone.
So, gather your family, plan your itinerary, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. Adventure is waiting—Chicago has it all!
