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Things to Do in Chicago with Kids
Chicago is one of the easiest big cities in America to explore with kids. Some of the best stops are free, from a world-class zoo to a park built around a giant playground, and nearly everything downtown is walkable or a short train ride away.
Our local guides walk these streets with families every day on our donut tours. This guide groups the best kid-friendly things to do in Chicago by neighborhood, flags what is free, and adds a parent tip for each stop so you can plan a day that works for little legs and big appetites.
By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026
At a glance
- Free favorites: Lincoln Park Zoo, Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park and The Bean, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Rainy day picks: Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Children's Museum
- Sweet treat: Our Chicago donut tours welcome kids 2 and up, with kids' tickets from $55
Kid-friendly things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
The Loop and Millennium Park
Maggie Daley Park
FreeA huge Play Garden with climbing towers, slides built into the hills, a suspension bridge and a fenced toddler area, all in the middle of downtown. In winter, the Ice Skating Ribbon loops through the park (paid timed sessions, November 13, 2026 to March 7, 2027).
Parent tip: The whole park is paved and stroller-friendly, and it connects to Millennium Park by a pedestrian bridge.
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
FreeKids love seeing themselves warped in "The Bean," and in summer the Crown Fountain's giant faces spray water on anyone standing below. In winter, the McCormick Tribune ice rink is free to skate (reservation required, skate rental extra).
Parent tip: Pack a towel in summer. Kids always end up soaked at Crown Fountain.
Art Institute of Chicago
Kids under 14 freeFamous paintings like Nighthawks and American Gothic, plus the free Ryan Learning Center with hands-on art activities for families.
Parent tip: Reserve the free kids' tickets online before you go.
Chicago Cultural Center
FreeLook up at the world's largest Tiffany glass dome, then warm up inside on a cold day.
Parent tip: A quick, free 20-minute stop between bigger outings.
Museum Campus
Shedd Aquarium
PaidBeluga whales, sea otters, penguins and a dolphin show on the lakefront.
Parent tip: Go right at opening and book timed tickets ahead.
Field Museum
PaidMeet SUE, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, and Maximo the titanosaur.
Parent tip: Plan on two to three hours, and save the dinosaurs for last as the big finish.
Adler Planetarium
PaidSky shows, space exhibits and some of the best skyline views in the city from the front lawn.
Parent tip: Combine it with Shedd and the Field Museum, since all three sit side by side.
Streeterville and Navy Pier
Chicago Children's Museum
PaidThree floors of climbing, building and water play made for kids about 1 to 10, right at the front of Navy Pier.
Parent tip: Book the first entry time of the day for the quietest hour.
Navy Pier
Free to enterThe Centennial Wheel, a carousel, lake views, boat cruises and free summer fireworks on select nights.
Parent tip: A free trolley runs between Navy Pier and State Street.
360 Chicago and Skydeck
PaidStand on glass ledges high above the city at 360 Chicago (John Hancock Center) or Skydeck (Willis Tower).
Parent tip: Teens love it. Very young kids may be just as happy with the free views from Navy Pier.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
Free, every dayLions, gorillas, penguins and a Farm-in-the-Zoo, with no tickets or reservations needed.
Parent tip: Plan on two to three hours. Parking costs extra, so take the bus if you can.
Lincoln Park Conservatory
FreeTropical plants and a warm escape on a cold day, just north of the zoo.
Parent tip: You need a free timed reservation, and it is open Wednesday to Sunday only.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
PaidThe Judy Istock Butterfly Haven lets kids walk among hundreds of free-flying butterflies.
Parent tip: Easy to pair with the zoo, since they are neighbors.
Hyde Park
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
PaidA real German U-boat, a coal mine you ride into, a giant model train layout and a 33-foot slide in the Powering the Future exhibit.
Parent tip: It is huge. Pick three exhibits before you arrive.
West Side
Garfield Park Conservatory
Free for Chicago residents, paid for visitorsGiant glasshouses full of tropical plants, plus a children's garden with timed entry.
Parent tip: A perfect warm-up on a winter day, and kids 6 and under are free.
Kid-favorite museums and family businesses
Museum of Ice Cream
Streeterville, paidDessert-themed rooms in the Tribune Tower on Michigan Avenue, including the famous Sprinkle Pool, plus a Chicago-only ice cream hot dog. Every tasting station has vegan and allergen-free options.
Parent tip: Weekday tickets cost less than weekends, and kids under 2 are free.
Color Factory
Willis Tower, paidInteractive color rooms inspired by Chicago, a giant ball pit and a confetti room in the colors of the city flag.
Parent tip: The entrance is right next to Skydeck, so it is easy to pair the two.
Museum of Illusions
The Loop, paidMirror rooms and mind-bending visual tricks near Millennium Park.
Parent tip: Best for kids old enough to enjoy the "how does that work?" moments.
Chicago Fed Money Museum
The Loop, freeSee what a million dollars looks like and learn how money is made.
Parent tip: A quick, free stop for curious tweens and teens.
American Girl Place and the LEGO Store
Water Tower Place, free to browseAmerican Girl's flagship has a cafe, a doll salon and a doll hospital, and the LEGO Store is in the same building on the Magnificent Mile.
Parent tip: Split up so each kid gets their favorite stop.
Worth the drive: Schaumburg
PaidLEGO Discovery Center and Peppa Pig World of Play at Woodfield Mall are about a five-minute drive apart, great for kids 8 and under on a rainy day.
Parent tip: Book timed tickets ahead, and bring socks for Peppa Pig World of Play.
Sweet treats and kid-friendly eats
Underground Donut Tour (kids' tickets from $55, ages 2 and up). Two hours, four of the city's best local donut shops, and a friendly local guide sharing Chicago history between bites. It is an easy walking pace, so kids can keep up, and families join us all the time, from little ones celebrating birthdays to teens on college visits.
Taste Chicago's best donuts on one walk
Kids 2 and up are welcome. Guides set an easy pace for little legs.
Parent tip: Let us know about allergies or dietary needs when you book, including gluten-free, and download our free Kids' Activity Book for the trip.
What our Chicago guides see from families: Our guides see it every week: kids keep right up (and love it), birthdays get celebrated on tour all the time, and guides happily build in extra bathroom stops for little ones. Tours run rain or shine.
What families say about our Chicago tours
"Great tour for the whole family. We brought our 5 year old and 3 year old and they loved it."
Andrea, GetYourGuide, May 2026
"Lauren was so engaging and just wonderful with our two kids ages 5 and 7."
Farley, GetYourGuide, September 2026
"It was a great way for the family (we had kids 7 through 17) to do Chicago together!"
TripAdvisor reviewer, October 2026
"The kids were entertained the whole time and did not mind the walking."
Greyson B., TripAdvisor, August 2026
"We came as a family with our five boys and she really engaged with them."
Cassandra K., TripAdvisor, September 2026
"My kid had a blast! It's gonna be a core memory for sure."
Crystal R., TripAdvisor, October 2026
"Our kids said it was their favorite part of the day!"
Colleen S., Google, March 2025
"My two kiddos loved it and enjoyed all the donut tastings!"
Nicole A., TripAdvisor, March 2026
All 5-star guest reviews.
Exploring on your own? Our Best Donut Shops in Chicago guide lists the city's best donut shops by neighborhood, and the holiday guide covers festive treats from November through New Year's.
Chicago classics kids love
- Deep-dish pizza. A must-try, but it takes 30 to 45 minutes to bake, so order ahead or go early.
- Chicago-style hot dog. Kids can skip the sport peppers and celery salt.
- Garrett Popcorn. The cheese-and-caramel "Chicago Mix" is a local favorite and travels well.
Sample days
Free half day downtown (great for ages 2 to 8)
- Morning: run off energy at the Maggie Daley Park Play Garden.
- Walk the pedestrian bridge to Millennium Park and take photos at The Bean.
- Pop into the Chicago Cultural Center to see the Tiffany dome.
- Lunch: a Chicago-style hot dog or deep dish nearby.
Donuts and the zoo (all ages)
- Morning: our Chicago Downtown Delicious Donut Tour from Doughnut Vault in River North (2 hours).
- Afternoon: a quick bus ride north to Lincoln Park Zoo (free) and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
- Evening in winter: ZooLights, free with registration on most Mondays.
Museum Campus full day (ages 5 and up)
- Morning: Shedd Aquarium right at opening.
- Lunch, then the Field Museum's dinosaurs.
- Late afternoon: skyline photos from the Adler Planetarium lawn.
Chicago with kids by season
Winter (late November to February)
- ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo: millions of lights, November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Tickets run $7 to $20, and admission is free with registration on Mondays (except December 21 and 28).
- Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza: free to enter, November 20 to December 24, 2026, with a second location in Wrigleyville through December 31.
- Ice skating: the free McCormick Tribune rink in Millennium Park (from November 20, reservation required) and the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon.
- Warm indoor escapes: the Lincoln Park and Garfield Park conservatories.
Summer (June to August)
- Crown Fountain in Millennium Park for splash play.
- Navy Pier fireworks on select summer nights.
- Lakefront beaches like North Avenue Beach, plus the Lakefront Trail for bikes and scooters.
Chicago with kids FAQ
What is there to do in Chicago with kids for free?
Lincoln Park Zoo, Maggie Daley Park's Play Garden, Millennium Park and The Bean, the Chicago Cultural Center and the Lincoln Park Conservatory are all free. Kids under 14 also get into the Art Institute of Chicago for free.
What is the best area of Chicago to stay with kids?
Streeterville and the Loop put you within walking distance of Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park and the Museum Campus.
What can kids do in Chicago in winter?
Ice skate at Millennium Park or the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon, see ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, visit the Christkindlmarket and warm up at the city's indoor museums and conservatories.
Is the Underground Donut Tour good for kids?
Yes. Kids ages 2 and up are welcome, the tour moves at an easy walking pace, and families join us all the time. Parents have brought kids from age 3 to 17 and rave about it in their reviews. Tours last about two hours with four sweet treat stops, and guides know where to duck inside to warm up in winter.
How many days do you need in Chicago with kids?
Three days covers the highlights: one for the Loop and Navy Pier, one for the Museum Campus, and one for Lincoln Park and a donut tour.