Chicago for Kids

& there is just as much adult fun as there is family fun

There is so much to do in Chicago for kids that you will never run out of family-oriented things to do. On this page, you will find links and brief descriptions of the many attractions and things-to-do in Chicago in order for you to find the ones that offers the most family-fun and which are more suitable for children.

They are all grouped by category, including attractions, amusement parks, zoos, museums, water parks, and much more.

Events

Wonder Works Calender of Events

Wonder Works is a children’s Museum that provides a hands-on learning environment intended to strengthen the development of children in the Oak Park and Chicago area.
6445 West North Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

111 West Campbell St., Downtown Arlington
Heights, IL 60005
Phone #: (1)847-577-2121

What’s New?

Chicago For Children – Audio Tour

A fun, interactive tour of the city of Chicago for kids. View online and/or download the audio for listening later.

CoCo Key Water Resort at Sheraton Chicago Northwest

Illinois newest and largest indoor water park featuring 65,000 square feet of Key West themed indoor fu

3400 W. Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
Phone #: (1)847-394-2000

Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences

This is a live, professional musical theatre.

3323 Walters Ave.
Northbrook IL 60062
Phone #: (1)847-291-2367
They offer party packages, “meet the cat” luncheons, school and group rates, and backstage tours.

Children’s Theatre

Emerald City Theatre

2936 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone #: (1)773-529-2690
A modern fairy tale the everyone in the family can enjoy. Emerald City Theatre was built to continue this type of family enjoyment.

There mission is to create innovative theatre experiences that bring families closer together and inspire kids everywhere come and join them!

Chicago Children’s Theatre

Goodman Theatre in the owen
Administrative offices: 1464 N. Milwankee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone #: (1)773-227-0180
Chicago Children’s Theatre aspires to enrich our community through significant theatrical programming that engages the kid in everyone.

Adventure Stage Chicago

Vittum Theatre, 1012 N. Noble St.
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone #: (1)773-342-4141

Adventure Stage Chicago creates dynamic theatre for young audiences that activates the imagination, inspires dialogue, and celebrates community among families, educators and artists.

Winner of the 2007 National Award for outstanding new children’s theatre company from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. Adventure Stage Chicago presents engaging theatrical programming designed to be enjoyed by everyone.

Amusement Parks/ Arcades

Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze
Navy Pier-Ferris Wheel & IMAX
Six Flags Great America (Gurnee)
ESPN Zone
Safari Land (Villa Park)
Pirate’s Cove (Elk Grove Village)
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (Hoffman Estates)
GameWorks (Schaumburg)
Bristol Renaissance Faire (Kenosha)(WI)

Attractions/ Landmarks

Sear Tower Skydeck
Buckingham Fountain
Millennium Park
The Hancock Observatory

Events

Taste of Chicago
Chicago Air & Water Show

Live Performances

Hemmens Cultural Center- Performing Arts for Young People (Elgin)
Metriott Lincolnshire Children’s Theatre (Lincolnshire)
Metropolis Performing Arts Center- Stories in action kid shows (Arlington Heights)

Parks & Beaches

Beaches
Grant Park
Millennium Park

Museums

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Kraft Education Center at the Art Institute of Chicago
Museum of Science & Industry
“Sue” & the ‘Underground Adventure’ at the Field Museum
The Notebaert Nature Museum

Sports

Chicago Bears Football (at Soldier Field)
Chicago Cubs Baseball (at Wrigley Field)
Chicago White Sox Baseball (at U.S. Cellular Field)
Chicago Blackhawks Hockey (at United Center)
Chicago Bulls Basketball (at United Center)
Chicago Fire Soccer (at Soldier Field)
Chicago Wolves Hockey (at Allstate Arena)
Kane County Cougars Baseball (In Genera)

Water Parks/ Aquatic Centers

Dolphin Cove Family Aquatic CenterĀ (Carpentersville)

Keylime Cove (Gurnee, IL)

Keylime Cove is a great experience for the whole family. This tropical paradise is located right outside Chicago and offers a great time in the water.

Pelican Harbor Aquatic Complex

There are Outdoor attractions. Lots od waterslides, Relax on the Lazy River, or conquer the Lazy River’s Adventure Channel. Experience the speed and excitment of there 4 water speed slides (2 enclosed and 2 open).

Challenge yourself in the diving well with drop slide and 1-meter diving board entry pool, which is perfect for young children.

Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center (Des Plaines)

RagingWaves Waterpark

Raging Waves is Chicagoland’s newest and largest waterpark. It’s located in Suburban Yorkville on highway 47 which is just 45-55 minutes west of the Chicago Loop.

The WaterWorks (Schaumburg) (Year-round :indoor)

Rainbow Falls water park (Elk Grove village)

Splash County Water Park (Aurora)

Zoos/ Animals

Lincoln Park & the Pritzker Children’s Zoo & Farm-in-the-Zoo
Wild Reef at the Shedd Aquarium
The Notebaert Nature Museum
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
Randall Oaks Park & Barnyard Zoo (West Dundee)
Children’s Farm (The Center) (Palos Park)
Phone #: (1)708-361-3650

These are the biggest attractions and things to do for all the children that come to Chicago. There are other smaller places to visit, but I would recommend the links I have provided first because they are the most popular and most visited in the Chicago area.

Children can have as much fun and enjoyment as everyone else when they visit the Chicagoland area.