Things to Do in Chicago with Kids.
Interactive fun, hands-on museums, expansive parks, and family favorites.
Updated for right now · 16 dated listings
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Upcoming Events & Happenings
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - FLEX TICKET - Chicago
Flex Ticket valid for exhibition access without date and time restrictions.Balloon Museum brings EmotionAir to Chicago for the very first time, transforming The
Luminaria de la Vida - Gallery Hours at South Shore
Presented by the Culture, Arts & Nature Department (CAN) Luminaria de la Vida highlights recent ceramic works by Vida Radick, long-time beloved ceramics fac
Walking History: Exploring Chicago Parks at Palmisano
Equiticity presents Walking History: Exploring Chicago Parks, a series of six monthly walks, as part of Equiticity’s 2026 Community Mobility Rituals – regularly
Trunk or Treat at Lindblom
Grab your candy bag and join us for a Halloween celebration! This event will be taking place in the parking lot of Lindblom Park. This event is sponsored by t
Trick or Treat Fest at Chase
Come out and enjoy 10 trick or treat stations, BOUNCE HOUSE, GHOULISH GAMES & CREEPY ARTS & CRAFTS! There will also be as 'NO SCARE' HAUNTED HOUSE, PRO
Halloween Arts and Crafts at Brooks
Children are going to have fun getting crafty creating spooky Halloween crafts. Halloween in the Park is presented by Mars.
Little Monster Mash at Donovan
Join us for a Halloween themed party with arts & crafts! There will be a bounce house, craft table for arts & crafts, area for "free play" and of course
Monster Mash at Minuteman
Lil' monsters can come and mingle, make spooky crafts, listen to scary stories and share in some Halloween fun! Costumes are highly encouraged for both children
Day of the Dead Altar Preparation at Vittum
Come create an altar for your loved ones for display at our Dia de los Muertos event. Space/altar provided, participants are encouraged to bring pictures and me
Monday Night Solo Series at Berger
Enjoya a solo performance from local creatives, comics, and performers. Tamagotchi Graveyard, from William Paik. There will be a short intermission between show
Train or Treat Pumpkin Fitness at Park No. 571
Sweat for your sweets in this heart pumping pumpkin-based wellness class! All levels of fitness are welcome! Free pumpkin with participation!
Sock Hop at Warren
Come join Area 3 for a swinging good time. Come dressed in your sock hop best! Enjoy music to dance, as well as a delicious lunch.
Tween Tuesday at Sherwood
Tweens come out to the park for laser tag, a silent party and esports. Bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of games, music and friendly competition!
Halloween Art Workshop - Art at Morgan Park SC
In this hands-on, Halloween-themed, art workshop, artists will discover the power of different art mediums as a tool for creativity and self-expression. Artists
Halloween Haunted Hallway at Franklin
Let's have a spooky fun time! Swing by and enjoy our free Haunted Hallway! Treats and fun for all ages. Children costumes welcomed. Activities will be held insi
Laser Tag at Cooper
Enjoy an evening of laser tag, music, food and more at Cooper Park playground and field. 15-18 year olds are required to show school ID upon entrance
Hand-Picked Venues & Spots in Chicago
Willis Tower
Soar to the highest US observation deck
The Willis Tower, originally known as the Sears Tower, is a 110-story, 1,451-foot skyscraper in Chicago's Loop. Designed by Bruce Graham and Fazlur Rahman Khan,
Art Institute of Chicago
World-class art museum
The Art Institute of Chicago is a private nonprofit art museum in Grant Park, founded in 1879. It ranks among the oldest and largest art museums in the United S
John Hancock Center
Sky-high views and thrill-seeking TILT platform
The John Hancock Center, officially 875 North Michigan Avenue, is a 100-story skyscraper in Chicago's Magnificent Mile district. Designed by Bruce Graham and Fa
Millennium Park
Iconic park with Cloud Gate and free events
Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre public park in Chicago's Loop, opened in July 2004 and operated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Millennium Park — Cloud Gate
Bean + skyline plaza
Cloud Gate is a public sculpture by Anish Kapoor, serving as the centerpiece of Grainger Plaza at Millennium Park in Chicago. Built between 2004 and 2006, its 1
Field Museum of Natural History
One of the largest natural history museums in the world
The Field Museum of Natural History is a private–public institution in Chicago and one of the largest natural history museums globally. It operates in close par
Museum of Science and Industry
Historic palace with a captured German submarine
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a private non-profit science museum housed in the Palace of Fine Arts, built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposi
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
World-class collection of Near Eastern antiquities
The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia and North Africa (ISAC) is a research institute and museum of the University of Chicago, located in H
Adler Planetarium
America's first planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is a municipal astronomy museum and the first planetarium in the United States, founded in 1930 by Max Adler. Located on the northeastern
Grant Park
Chicago's front yard with iconic fountain and museums
Grant Park is a large 319-acre urban park in the Loop community area of Chicago's central business district. Originally called Lake Park, it was renamed in 1901
Barack Obama Presidential Center
First fully digitized presidential library and museum
The Barack Obama Presidential Center is a museum, library, and education project on Chicago's South Side, located in Jackson Park adjacent to the University of
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Modern art by the lake
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world's largest contemporary art venues, established in 1967 near Water Tower Place in the Near North Side.
Lincoln Park
Lakefront park with zoo, museums, and beaches
Lincoln Park is Chicago's largest public park, stretching seven miles along Lake Michigan on the city's North Side. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, it fe
Navy Pier
Lakefront pier
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. It spans over 50 acres of shops, restaurants, liv
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Free outdoor classical music in Frank Gehry-designed pavilion
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is a bandshell in Millennium Park, designed by architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2004. It serves as the home of the Grant Park Symph
Museum Campus
America's first planetarium and four other major attractions
Museum Campus is a 57-acre park in Chicago along Lake Michigan. It encompasses five major attractions: the Adler Planetarium, America's first planetarium; the S
Recently Concluded in Chicago
Mitote Día De Los Muertos in La Ronda Parakata at Burnham
Burnham (Daniel) Park
Pumpkin Patch at Margate
Margate Park
Campfire Horrors at Big Marsh
Big Marsh Park
Climate Awareness Action Day at Murray
Murray (David) Park
Halloween Monster Mash Party at Kelvyn
Kelvyn (William) Park
Veterans Line Dancing at Kennicott
Kennicott (Jonathan) Park
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun things to do with toddlers and kids in Chicago?
Enjoy interactive discovery museums, nature center trails, splash pads, botanical conservatories, and family-friendly dining with outdoor play areas.