For the kids · Chicago, United States
14 Things to Do in Chicago with Kids
Parks, zoos, hands-on museums and rides: the Chicago the kids will actually remember.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
Millennium Park
Park & natureMillennium Park is a vibrant public space in the heart of Chicago, blending art, architecture, and nature.
Read our full guide →Maggie Daley Park
Park & natureFree entryMaggie Daley Park is a modern urban oasis in the heart of Chicago's Loop, offering a dynamic mix of recreational activities and green spaces.
Read our full guide →Buddy Guy's Legends
EntertainmentBuddy Guy's Legends is a cornerstone of Chicago's blues scene, located at 700 S Wabash Avenue in the South Loop.
Read our full guide →Chicago Theatre
EntertainmentThe Chicago Theatre, a Beaux-Arts landmark on State Street, originally opened as a movie palace in 1921.
Read our full guide →Symphony Center
EntertainmentSymphony Center is the prestigious home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, consistently ranked among the world's finest orchestras.
Read our full guide →Jay Pritzker Pavilion
EntertainmentThe Jay Pritzker Pavilion is Millennium Park's centerpiece, a state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue designed by architect Frank Gehry.
Read our full guide →Cadillac Palace Theatre
EntertainmentThe Cadillac Palace Theatre is a magnificent performing arts venue located at 151 W Randolph Street in Chicago's downtown Loop district.
Read our full guide →Bad Axe Throwing Chicago (West Loop)
EntertainmentBad Axe Throwing Chicago (West Loop) is a premier entertainment venue where visitors can try their hand at the ancient art of axe throwing.
Read our full guide →Steppenwolf Theatre Company
EntertainmentSteppenwolf Theatre Company, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, is a renowned ensemble-based theater that has been a cornerstone of American drama since its founding.
Read our full guide →Auditorium Theatre
EntertainmentThe Auditorium Theatre is a historic Chicago performance hall within the Auditorium Building at 50 E.
Read our full guide →iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Chicago (Lincoln Park)
EntertainmentiFLY Indoor Skydiving in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood provides the sensation of freefall without jumping from an airplane.
Read our full guide →Supernatural Chicago
EntertainmentSupernatural Chicago is a unique entertainment experience that blends history, ghost stories, and live performance at the Castle Nightclub, a historic venue on North Dearborn Street.
Read our full guide →Lurie Garden
Park & natureLurie Garden is a 2.5-acre perennial garden within Millennium Park, designed as a living tapestry of native and exotic plants.
Read our full guide →Wicker Park
Park & natureFree entryWicker Park is a lively green space in Chicago's West Side, offering a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 111 Chicago places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in Chicago are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is Chicago good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in Chicago?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Chicago for the full set.
How many days do you need in Chicago with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.