Looking to work up an appetite before heading for a slice at Rosati’s Pizza? Chicago has a near-endless number of family friendly activities for everyone to enjoy. Here, we break down some of our favorite things to do with kids in Chicago, including must-see attractions, the best season to go, and why we think each spot is worth a visit.
Lincoln Park Zoo for a Fun Thing to Do Near You
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the nation’s oldest zoos, and it’s free to the public. Check out the old-school carousel, the locomotive rides, and the Pritzker Family Children’s section, which is a kid-friendly home for an abundance of North American animals. While you’re there, also be sure to check out Farm-in-the-Zoo where kids can pet country animals like goats, cows, and ponies.
Navy Pier for Top-Rated Chicago Activities
Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most beloved attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, the pier is great for families no matter the season. In the summer, head to Navy Pier for live music, theater, fireworks, and daily cruises. In the fall and winter, Navy Pier is a great place to enjoy rides, games, and the Centennial Wheel, which reaches nearly 200 feet into the sky and features year-round climate controlled gondolas.
Shedd Aquarium for an Immersive Chicago Activity
Shedd Aquarium is the perfect place to take the kids before heading for a slice of Chicago pizza. You’ll have unforgettable encounters with belugas, stingrays, sea otters, and more. The aquarium also offers up-close experiences like behind-the-scenes tours, stingray interactions, and shark feeding adventures.
American Writers Museum for Children’s Literature
The American Writers Museum is the perfect place to get your family excited about reading before heading over to grab a slice of real-ingredient Chicago pizza at Rosati’s Pizza. The museum has a special Children’s Literature Gallery designed especially for kids, which includes adorable murals of squirrels by author and illustrator Paul O. Belinsky.
Millennium Park for a Range of Chicago Activities
Millennium Park is the perfect place to work up an appetite before heading for a slice of Chicago pizza. In the spring and summer, kids can play in the Crown Fountain’s shallow pool and explore the paths through the Lurie Garden. While you’re there, make sure to take pictures of your reflection in the famous stainless steel Cloud Gate sculpture, more commonly known as “The Bean.”
Field Museum for Dinosaur Adventures
Chicago is home to the Field Museum, which takes family adventure to a whole new level. The museum features SUE the T-rex and Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur known to man. The museum is located on the lakeside of Museum Campus and is connected to the Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. If you want to make a full day of it, you can take a sightseeing boat from Navy Pier or Willis Tower and explore all three.
Art Institute of Chicago for Fun Things to Do Near You
Not sure if your kids will enjoy an art museum? Just wait until you check out the Art Institute’s Thorne Miniature Rooms. These tiny rooms bring the world of architecture to a kid’s level. When you visit, you’ll also get free admission to the Ryan Education Center, which hosts special events, interactive workshops, and family programming for kids under the age of 14.
Sloomoo Institute for Silly Things to Do with Kids in Chicago
Kids and parents alike will have a blast playing at Sloomoo Institute’s interactive slime museum. Visitors are invited to explore an array of hands-on exhibits featuring all sorts of scented slimes. If your family enjoys sensory play, ASMR, and contemporary art, Sloomoo Institute is the spot for you.
Adler Planetarium for Fun Things to Do Near You
The Adler Planetarium is part of the lakeside complex known as Museum Campus, and it’s the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Kids and adults will both love the interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and special programming designed to inspire future scientists.
Bronzeville Children’s Museum for an Immersive Kid Experience
If you’re looking for fun things to do near you, the Bronzeville Children’s Museum is the perfect place to take your family. It’s the first African American children’s museum in the country and features tons of exhibits designed for children aged three to nine. The museum also features a special tour format meant for kids to make sure they get the most value from each exhibit.
Maggie Daley Park for Outdoor Chicago Activities
Maggie Daley Park is the perfect place to go with your family before heading for a slice of Chicago pizza. Some of the main attractions include a Skating Ribbon, a three-acre Play Garden that looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland, a mini golf course with Chicago-themed obstacles, and a lakefront climbing wall.
Chicago Children’s Museum for Unique Chicago Activities
Chicago Children’s Museum is one of the best spots to find fun things to do with kids in Chicago. There, kids will have a blast playing with interactive exhibits like WaterWays, Dinosaur Expedition, and Treehouse Trails. The museum is located at Navy Pier, which makes it a convenient spot to spend the day.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for Toddler-Friendly Chicago Activities
Peggy Notebart Nature Museum features a range of toddler-friendly Chicago activities, including nature-inspired art, toddler play spaces, and an exotic butterfly house. Spend some time exploring the garden where kids can run wild among trees and flowers, then head for a nearby slice of Chicago pizza with the family.
Learn More About Rosati’s Chicago Pizza
After a day of adventures in Chicago, stop by Rosati’s for Italian food you’re sure to enjoy. With our selection of pastas, sandwiches, and Chicago-style pizza, Rosati’s Pizza has something for your entire family.
