76 Things to do in Chicago with Kids

 

Looking for things to do in Chicago with kids?  We have a mega list with 76 fun things you can do around Chicago!  The kids will love it!

Animals and Nature in Chicago

Eden Place Nature Center
An Urban Oasis, located on the south side of Chicago.
Learn more here.

Garfield Park Conservatory
One of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the nation.
Learn more here.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Founded in 1857 to give scientists and nature aficionados a place to study and share the specimens they collected.
Learn more here.

Lincoln Park Zoo
A leader in animal conservation and care.
Learn more here.

 

Attractions and Landmarks in Chicago

The Chicago Cultural Center
A Chicago Landmark building that houses the city’s official reception venue where the Mayor of Chicago has welcomed Presidents and royalty, diplomats and community leaders.
Learn more here.

Hancock Observatory
Awesome place to visit, and it is very high which provides amazing views all around.
Learn more here.

 

Indoors in Chicago

Little Beans Café
Family Cafe and Imaginative Indoor Playground for Kids in Chicago.
Learn more here.

Purple Monkey Playroom
An indoor Chicago Playroom aimed at children 6 weeks to 6 years.
Learn more here.

Pump It Up Chicago
Fun for all ages in our private, indoor arenas with gigantic inflatables.
Learn more here.

 

Kid-friendly Eating in Chicago

The Weiner’s Circle
A hot dog stand in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
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The Palm Court Lounge at The Drake Hotel
Excellent in their music, the decor, and the service. Try your afternoon tea here.
Learn more here.

The Original Billy Goat Tavern
A chain of taverns located in Chicago
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Superdawg
A drive-in hot dog stand with carhop.
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Svea Restaurant
Excellent $5 pancakes cannot be beat.
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Rock ‘N Roll McDonald’s
A flagship McDonald’s restaurant located in Chicago.
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Lazo’s Tacos
Mexican food simple tastes done well.
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Harold’s Chicken Shack
The greatest southern fried Chicken.
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Gino’s East
Home of the famous deep-dish pizza tastes the same as it did back then.
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Foodlife at Water Tower Place
An urban dining venue with 14 distinctive kitchens that serve real food made from scratch daily.
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Eli’s Cheesecake World
Offers cheesecakes in a variety of flavors, baked in Chicago.
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Ed Debevic’s
Quirky servers in serve up great burgers, hot dogs, homemade chili, fries, salads, milkshakes, and ice cream sundaes with a side order of sass!
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Ann Sather
Not only do they have extremely tasty food, their service is magnificent.
Learn more here.

 

Live Performances in Chicago

The Second City
The world’s premier comedy club/theatre and school of improvisation.
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Steppenwolf Theater
A Tony Award-winning Chicago theatre company founded in 1974.
Learn more here.

Short Shakespeare!
Enjoy Shakespeare’s famous plays at Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Learn more here.

Old Town School of Folk Music
Organization serving as a local and national resource for teaching, performing and celebrating folk music, art and culture from all countries.
Learn more here.

Noble Horse Theater
Dinner theatre featuring horseback performances of The Nutcracker, Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Quadrille.
Learn more here.

Chicago Kids Company
Take classic children’s stories and turn them into colorful new tales.
Learn more here.

Chicago Jazz Festival
A favorite Labor Day Weekend tradition.
Learn more here.

Chicago Gospel Festival
Runs from June 20-23 in Bronzeville and downtown.
Learn more here.

Chicago Country Music Festival
Enjoy 20 hours of live country music at Chicago Country Fest!
Learn more here.

Chicago Blues Festival
The largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago’s Music Festivals.
Learn more here.

Chicago Children’s Theater
Enjoy children’s theater, plays, musicals and other performances.
Learn more here.

Barrel of Monkeys Theater
Teaches creative writing workshops in Chicago Public Schools, and adapts the children’s writing into dynamic pieces of theater.
Learn more here.

 

Local Unique in Chicago

The Strange Beauty Show

A place to experience artistic beauty in an upbeat yet laid-back environment.
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Rosebud Cafe — Taylor Street
Enjoy a home cooked meal away from home.
Learn more here.

O’Leary Fire Truck Tours
Specializes in providing exciting tours of the City of Chicago
Learn more here.

Navy Pier
A 3,300-foot long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Learn more here.

Children in Paradise
Great little bookstore and children oasis.
Learn more here.

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
Been showing classic films in Chicago’s Grant Park for 10 years.
Learn more here.

Chicago Chocolate Tours
One of Great Food Tours delicious walking tours.
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Chicago Architectural Boat Tours
The most venerable and polished of the tour-and-activity sites.
Learn more here.

 

Museums, Exhibits and Art Galleries in Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago
Museum houses more than 300000 works of art and includes among its treasures, American Gothic by Grant Wood.
Learn more here.

Shedd Aquarium
An indoor public aquarium in Chicago
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Museum of Contemporary Art
Collects, exhibits, and interprets art created since 1940 in all media and preserves it for future generations.
Learn more here.

Museum of Science and Industry

The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, enjoy live science experiences
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Chicago Children’s Museum
Families play & learn together on 3 floors of fun.
Learn more here.

American Indian Center of Chicago
Social and educational services, including program for children with storytelling, performance, and craft projects to introduce them to the Native American way.
Learn more here.

Field Museum
Sits on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan, part of a scenic complex known as the Museum Campus Chicago.
Learn more here.

Adler Planetarium
America’s first planetarium and a premiere resource for inspiring the next generation of space explorers.
Learn more here.

 

Outdoor Fun in Chicago

Taste of Chicago
The nation’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community.
Learn more here.

Millennium Park
A public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago
Learn more here.

Segway Experience of Chicago
Ideal for beginners and experienced riders, residents of Chicago.
Learn more here.

Green City Market
Sells locally farmed products in Chicago.
Learn more here.

Chicago Park District Beaches
Chicago’s 26 miles of public beaches offer the perfect settings for playing, relaxing and soaking it all in.
Learn more here.

Chicago Carriage Rides by J.C. Cutters, Ltd
Top the perfect romantic weekend in Chicago by treating yourself and your significant other to a horse carriage ride through downtown Chicago.
Learn more here.

 

Shopping in Chicago

Women and Children First
One of Chicago’s most popular indie bookstores.
Learn more here.

Uncle Fun
One-of-a-kind toy store that has been established for over two decades.
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Psychobaby
A hip, online style shop for cool baby clothes, kids clothing, baby gifts, personalized baby and kids tees and toys.
Learn more here.

Mini Me
A boutique featuring the finest in childrens couture.
Learn more here.

Build-A-Bear Workshop — Chicago
Create your very own Teddy Bear and other stuffed animals at the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Learn more here.

American Girl Place — Chicago
A premiere lifestyle brand that offers a variety of age-appropriate, high-quality dolls, books, clothing, and accessories.
Learn more here.

 

 Sports in Chicago

Chicago White Sox Baseball
A Major League Baseball team located in the south side of Chicago
Learn more here.

Chicago Fire Soccer
An American professional soccer club based in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview
Learn more here.

Chicago Cubs Baseball
A professional baseball team located in Chicago
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Chicago Bulls Basketball
A professional basketball team based in Chicago.
Learn more here.

Chicago Blackhawks Hockey
A professional ice hockey team based in Chicago
Learn more here.

 Bobby’s Bike Hike

Offers award-winning, original tours of Chicago for a variety of interests, ages, and fitness levels.
Learn more here.

 

Waterparks in Chicago

Williams Water Playground
Totals 8.51 acres and the park offers an athletic field, playground equipment, a small recreation building, a spray pool, and horse shoe, tennis, and basketball courts, and an interactive water spray feature offers community children relief from Chicago’s hot summers.
Learn more here.

West Chatham Park Water Playground
Provide children a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Learn more here.

Wilson Park Water Playground
Provides a playground, a putting green, horseshoe and tennis courts.
Learn more here.

Meyering Water Playground
3.1 acres and features two multi-purpose clubrooms.
Learn more here.

Archer Park Water Playground
Provide children a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Learn more here.

Graver Park Water Playground
Enjoy this water playground with the family.
Learn more here.

Fosco Park
Features an indoor Olympic sized zero depth swimming pool, fitness center and meeting rooms
Learn more here.

Adams Water Playground
Provide children a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Learn more here.

 

 

Photo credit: Kevin Dooley