10 Fun Family Activities in Chicago

As the third-largest city in the United States, Chicago is full of things to do with the kids in tow.

With giant Ferris wheels, museums, and so much more, Chi-Town is the place to be when the city’s winds and cold die down and the summer heat becomes unbearable in the South.

This is by no means a complete list as there are so many fun family activities in Chicago, but for now, we’ll just list our top 10!

Head over to the Navy Pier for the first four on the list. In fact, this might make for all the fun you can handle for your first day in Chicago! From Ferris wheels to Shakespeare, the Navy Pier has it all!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

You never know what you might find on the stage at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, unless of course, you check the website first! Right now the feature is Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Chicago Children’s Museum

Dinosaurs and tree houses? I’m in!  With three floors of engaging exhibits and activities providing sensory experiences and educational content, your kids will have a blast and not even realize they are learning! 

That’s my favorite kind of education! Check out the museum’s calendar before you go as programming does change.

Shedd Aquarium

This is a great spot to rest your feet while watching the dolphin show. The Belugas are so adorable you won’t be able to stop smiling but bundle up before you head to the penguin room because that place is cold!

Pier Park

The word is that the iconic Ferris Wheel at Pier Park is going to get a makeover, but for now, you can still ride it to see the gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Other rides include the Carousel, Wave Swinger, The Links Mini Golf.

Adler Planetarium

If you’d rather see things that are out of this world than in it, walk over to Adler Planetarium. This is one place in Chicago that you can actually get into free of charge, so take advantage of it!

Chicago Riverwalk

A long time coming, the Chicago Riverwalk has just had some upgrades that make it a must see when in Chicago! Though the renovation is ongoing, there is a lot to do now in this beautiful area. Great for a walk along the river or a stop in your travels for lunch or dinner, there is a lot to see and much more to come for the Chicago Riverwalk.

Kohl’s Children’s Museum

Kohl’s Children’s Museum offers 17 interactive, hands-on exhibits for kids from birth to 8 years old.  Check the calendar for special programs and visiting exhibits. If you are traveling with school age kids, make sure to check out the educator’s resources on the website. I always loved printing out some things for my kids to do before visiting museums. They were always excited to discover the things they had already learned about!

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

This Nature Museum offers all kinds of fun for both kids and adults. Whether you have young kids who need the freedom of play spaces or older kids who would be fascinated by live native animals, there’s something here for everyone.

The Butterfly Haven is world renowned, with more than 2,500 square feet of greenhouse housing over 1,000 butterflies.

Those fascinated with weather will love the Weather to Climate exhibit and The Explorer’s Journey into a Changing Climate.

There’s so much to do here, you’ll want to allow at least a half day.

Pirate’s Cove

Tucked away on the Northwest side of Chicago, Pirate’s Cove is a place full of pirate booty perfect for kids under eight. Older kids won’t like it as much, but the younger ones will love riding the rides and taking the Pirate Plunge. The Safari Express train takes you into a stuffed-animal filled cave that is too cute for words, so make sure you take the ride if you go. Another great thing about Pirate’s Cove is that they let you bring your own picnic lunch or buy one there.