6 Unmissable Things to do in Chicago with Kids

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read disclosure. Thank you for your support.

When you think “kid destinations,” Chicago, Illinois, might not be the first place that comes to mind. But, here’s a secret, Chicago is an amazing urban destination for a family vacation! The Windy City is packed with kid-friendly museums, shops, parks, restaurants and events, plus there are great views to be had. Here are six unmissable things to do in Chicago with kids.

6 Unmissable Things to do in Chicago with Kids

1. Shedd Aquarium

Let’s start at the museum campus with the Shedd Aquarium, a fascinating place to explore for both kids and parents. The largest residents at the Shedd are the whale sharks. But you could spend hours mesmerized by the 32,000 other creatures here. Dolphins and penguins are some of the favorites, but don’t miss the magical jellies, the Giant Pacific Octopus or the Dragon Moray Eel. In the Polar Play Zone designed just for them, kids can slide around in a penguin suit and touch sea stars.

There's more to Chicago than deep dish + great architecture. These 6 child-friendly + cool Chicago attractions may surprise your family travel expectations. (via thetravellingmom.ca)
A mighty T. Rex named SUE at the Field Museum (Credit: Wikipedia)

Use the Map Below to Search for Hotel and Short-Term Rental Options

2. Field Museum

At the nearby Field Museum, also located at the museum campus, kids can meet SUE, the largest, most complete T. rex ever discovered. This is a whole different experience than reading about T. rex in book, and one that might just inspire some young paleontologists! On the opposite end of the scale, you and your kids can get a bug’s-eye view of the world when you magically “shrink” to 1/100th of your actual size. Explore an immersive environment of worm tunnels and soil chambers in the Underground Adventure exhibit.  And it doesn’t stop there – other exhibits explore ancient cultures, geography, evolution and more, and are equally popular when visiting Chicago with teens.

3. Navy Pier

As far as fun things to do for kids in Chicago, Navy Pier and the Chicago Children’s Museum provide endless opportunities for play. Forts gives kids the raw materials to construct their own creative, crazy forts – we all know a kid can make a fort out of anything, right?  Hit the Artabounds Studio to paint, print, press, sew, sketch and sculpt. Ready for more dinosaurs? Dinosaur Expedition recreates the real Saharan expedition where Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno discovered a new type of dinosaur and allows your kids to be part of the dig. Kids will have so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re learning.

There's more to Chicago than deep dish + great architecture. These 6 child-friendly + cool Chicago attractions may surprise your family travel expectations. (via thetravellingmom.ca)
A terrific view from the Ferris Wheel (Credit: Ben Grey, Flickr)

4. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at Lincoln Park

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is home to the popular and world-renowned Butterfly Haven. It’s a 2,700-square-foot greenhouse filled with pools of water, flowers, tropical trees and 1,000 butterflies, as well as some beautiful birds. Other exhibits allow kids to explore the different “wilderness” environments in Chicago. This is a great place to learn about the birds of Chicago, and discover the different types of marshland in the region.

5. Lincoln Park Zoo

If you’re visiting Chicago with kids, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a must-see. From the mammals to the birds, reptiles and amphibians, kids will love seeing their favorite animals in person and enjoy learning about the unfamiliar faces they’ll come across.

6. SkyDeck Chicago

Get ready to ride and enjoy incredible view of Chicago’s impressive skyline. The high-speed elevators at the SkyDeck Chicago will zip you 1600 feet per minute up to the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. This is a must-see attraction even if you only have 48 hours in Chicago.

The 360-degree views are amazing. The 40-50 miles of visibility means you can see four states: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. For those not afraid of heights, dare to step out onto the Ledge. This glass box extends 4.3 feet out over the Chicago streets 1,353 feet below. Don’t look down!

What to Eat in Chicago with Kids

Attraction-hopping works up a hearty appetite, and we all know what happens when kids get hungry. Luckily, it’s an easy problem to solve in Chicago. Deep-dish pizza and Chicago are synonymous, and what kid doesn’t love pizza? There are so many great pizza places in Chicago (including the home of the original deep-dish pizza, Uno’s). We simply can’t tell you where to go! Suffice it to say you’ve got a lot of options where pizza is concerned. Other places to consider dining with kids include the Rainforest Café, American Girl Place Café, or Medieval Times in Schaumburg for dinner and a show.

Use the Chicago CityPASS

For big savings on your trip to Chicago, check out Chicago CityPASS. It saves you 50% on admission to 5 great Chicago attractions: Shedd Aquarium; the Field Museum; SkyDeck Chicago; Museum of Science and Industry OR John Hancock Observatory; and Adler Planetarium OR the Art Institute of Chicago. And even better, you can skip the main ticket lines and enjoy Fast Pass/VIP entry at all the attractions, saving you time and keeping the kids happy.

Disclosure: ClaudiaTravels thanks CityPASS for the sponsorship of this article.

Have you visited Chicago with your family? What’s your favorite thing to do in the Windy City? Share your comment below.

Claudia Laroye
Follow me

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *