66 Things To Do in Chicago With Kids (Parent Reviews)

Kelly R. said:  The Lincoln Park area is a great spot to enjoy plentiful green space and to capture great skyline views from the north side. Take a walk along the lakefront or the nature boardwalk. Both paths are within blocks of the (free) Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory. Stop in at any one of the many family-friendly restaurants for lunch, like RJ Grunts or the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. And be sure to admire the historic tree-lined streets throughout the neighborhood. There are several playgrounds in the area, too, including the one at Oz Park - a local favorite!

Gina I. said:  From koi fish to tropical palms to ancient ferns, this conservatory houses both unique plants and grows thousands of plants used in local parks. Visit the Orchid Room featuring a gorgeous array of exotic blooms, and the live model train run that's set up during winter- when it's also toasty warm inside! The free Lincoln Park Zoo and Lily Pool are next door.

Yoli B said:  The Wizard of Oz statues (including Dorothy in her ruby slippers) and sprawling play structure make this one of the best playgrounds in Chicago! The wooden playground is built like a castle and maze and has tons of bridges to climb, tire swings, and even a wooden train. This park is great for hide and seek!

RebeccaH said:  A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective. Blue Man Group originally debuted at the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1997. Three bald and blue men explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks and reminding them how much they all have in common. The show is continually refreshed with new music, stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology.

Sarah Calamita said:  Even if you don't like baseball and aren't a Cubs fan, you will have a blast at Wrigley Field, the home of the beloved Cubs. It is a beautiful stadium in a fun neighborhood. Make sure you eat a hot dog there. Outside before game day you can access Gallagher Way which is a fun green space where they have a splash pad and kids games out 2 hours before the game. The atmosphere around Wrigley on game day is second to none.

Sarah Calamita said:  If you want to venture beyond the touristy areas and check out a neighborhood, the Southport Corridor is the best! Chain stores, cute boutique stores (for both kids and adults), coffee shops, great restaurants (Crosby's is one of the most family friendly restaurants in the city), ice cream (Jeni's is to die for) and playground/splash pads (Juniper Park or Margaret Donahue Playground) and a Thursday night farmer's market. Take a cab or the brown line to Southport.

Sarah Calamita said:  The 606 is Chicagos's form of NYC's High Line. It's in a fun, trendy neighborhood with lots of stores and restaurants. Take the blue line to Damen (or hop in a cab) and get on the 606 at Damen Ave. A really great walk, bike, scooter in a fun green space!

Kelly R. said:  Pedal around Humboldt Park Lagoon in one of the cool swan boats offered for hourly rental. It's such a unique thing to do with kids during the milder months of the year!

April-September

Shila said:  Stroll through acres of indoor and outdoor botanical gardens featuring plant species and landscapes from around the world. The perfect family activity in Chicago to get in touch with nature all year long.

Gina I. said:  Where can you see the stars and learn from Northwestern University Physics & Astronomy students? The Dearborn Observatory! The observatory makes its 18.5 foot refracting telescope available to the public every Friday night. You can make reservations in advance, or show up for the walk-in tours and hope it's not too crowded.

Note that the dome is not climate controlled, and that several staircases must be climbed in order to reach the telescope.

Friday nights

Erin P. said:  Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens is an 85-acre non-profit park that features woodlands, prairie, wetlands, gardens and a 10-acre lake. Adventure seekers can rent canoes or kayaks, or those who prefer dry land might enjoy hiking, jogging or walking along the lake. Their nature center includes reptiles and other animals, as well as books and exhibits for kids. It offers the opportunity for hands-on learning and also hosts several kid-friendly nature programs throughout the year. There is also a children's play area in the Children's Forest.

Shila said:   Skokie Sports Park is top rated golf range that also features two adventure mini-golf courses for the entire family: Traveler's Quest and Kid's Quest. Traveler's Quest is themed with world-wide landmarks, while Kid's Quest is complete with interactive, climbing obstacles on the holes. The mini-course, taking after its premier golf range, is also extensively built with lush landscaping, water falls, and spacious greens.

Gina I. said:  The barn animals change seasonally but they often have a variety of chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies and donkeys. Farm volunteers invite the public into each animal pen and are ready to supply information about the animals to inquiring visitors.