10 Things to do in Chicago with Kids

The city of Chicago is one of the most visited cities in the United States. Obviously, this has to do with the enormous amount of things to see and do that it offers, however, another point in its favor is that it is a city friendly for children.

In this post I leave you some of the many options where the little ones will forget about boredom and can live one of the best vacations of their lives in this city. From parks and museums, to adventures at hundreds of meters high and delicious pizza. I'll tell you more.

With one of the Great Lakes at one end and beautiful rivers running through the city, an excursion on the waters of Chicago is something you should not miss. In addition, it is an excellent option for a trip with children.

I recommend a cruise on a boat that will take you to navigate the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, two in one! In this circuit, you will have magnificent views of the buildings and other spaces that loom over the horizon, such as the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier and the McCormick Bridgehouse, where the complex mechanics of the most famous movable bridge in the city comes into play and fascinates young and old.

This tour is priced from 38 euros, lasts an hour and a half and has the great advantage of operating all year round. They are very friendly cruises for the little ones and they will have a very entertaining trip.

Escape rooms, or escape rooms, are among the newest attractions quickly gaining fans in Chicago. Although most of these are geared toward youth and adults, kids have their escape challenges too.

Creativity, ingenuity, the idea of teamwork and the thrill of finding a time-bound solution are some of the reasons that make these games so exciting and popular.

There are several Escape Rooms designed for kids in this city. Here are a couple of popular options:

• Fox in a box: this escape room is considered among the best in Chicago. Among the escapes it has available, two have a version adapted for children and teenagers: "The Prison" and "The Bunker." Just contact the company to request these adjustments in the reservation and let's have fun!
• Escape Artistry: they have a total of 6 games in two different spaces. The first one is The Time Gallery and the second one is The Railcar. They also have adaptations of riddles, puzzles and activities for all ages.

Come and enjoy these cooperative and learning experiences, whether it's just the kids or with the family, they are great fun!

Recommendations when entering an Escape Room

In the escape rooms, it is important to keep in mind that the allowed ages are between 7 and 8 years old. In Fox in a Box each child that enters requires an adult companion.

Escape Artistry requires that all children under 16 years of age enter accompanied by an adult. In these rooms, one adult may enter with up to 4 minors.

Despite the sense of safety and security that an adult can provide for minors, it is necessary to keep in mind that these spaces can generate anxiety, stress and even claustrophobia. Parents are expected to evaluate this well (both the children's and their own) before opting for a family experience.

Visiting the zoo is one of the activities that most children enjoy doing during the vacations. In Chicago, an excellent option to visit one with the family is the Lincoln Park Zoo.

This zoo is one of the oldest in the United States and houses nearly 200 unique species from around the world, where children can observe the great black bear, play gestures with the chimpanzees, imitate the friendly walk of the African penguins, meet a rare red panda or restrain themselves from staring at the snakes. The playfulness of the lemurs, the laziness of the seals and the swiveling head of the owls are also characters that often attract the attention of the little ones.

Inside the zoo, there are exhibits specially designed to enjoy with the whole family. Such as:

• Pritzker Family Children's Zoo: Combines expert wildlife care and interactive learning for the whole family, including "touching" sessions, a favorite with little ones.
• Farm at the Zoo: This exhibit includes domestic farm animals with play-based learning spaces for young children 's first immersions in the natural world. Cows, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits... Various farm animals for them to learn and coexist by observing, smelling, listening and touching.

Children who visit the zoo as a family, will also benefit from the different programs that take place here, such as LEAP (Learn, Explore and Play) focused on the youngest (2-4 years old), Campfire Nights, Saturday night camps or special programs and activities on Earth Day (April 22).

Since the 1870s this zoo is free and efforts are maintained to keep it that way. What a gift for the city, don't you think?

Recommendations when visiting the zoo

Although the zoo is free, you should know that some attractions inside the zoo have a cost, such as the carousel of endangered animals and the train ride through the zoo that possibly some of your children will ask to get on.

Navy Pier is like the entertainment mecca of Chicago. On this pier you'll find year-round events and programs, games and activities for the whole family, restaurants, shopping and more. Visitors and locals, young and old are always welcome.

Some of the attractions enjoyed especially by the little ones are:

• Pier Park: located on the highest platform of Navy Pier, this park features the famous Chicago Centennial Ferris wheel, almost 60 meters high, a traditional merry-go-round with 34 animals to ride, a set of flying chairs, a mini golf course with 18 holes, remote-controlled boats to pilot on the water and even a 4D virtual experience of the city of Chicago of the future.
• Chicago Children's Museum: is one of the most traditional museums to visit with children in this city. There are several exhibits ranging from an enchanted forest or a mini-city, to art and design sessions, construction and expeditions on dinosaurs in the desert. From crawling babies to teenagers, you'll have a great time here.
• Chicago's Funhouse Maze: located right in the middle of Navy Pier, this fun space full of mazes, mirrors and visual tricks will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Come in and find out with your family why millions of visitors have taken the wrong way out of these circuits that will mess them up more than once.

Also, between the months of May and September, Navy Pier hosts nightly fireworks shows every week. A great excuse for the little ones to stay up late on vacation, don't you think?

Recommendations when visiting Navy Pier

For the safety of both visitors and operating personnel, outdoor attractions such as the Centennial Ferris Wheel and others may occasionally close due to weather conditions (wind, lightning and extreme cold, for example). Usually, all attractions are open between late spring and early fall. However, you can check to see if they will be available at Pier Park on the day you plan to visit by calling 312-595-PIER. Closed rides are cause for complaints at Navy Pier, so check ahead of time if you don't want to be surprised.

• About Chicago's Funhouse Maze: While it is a non-scary attraction, there are sensory elements that may be too intense for some visitors. Also, children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Maggie Daley Park is a dreamy green space located in downtown Chicago that has been a hit with children since its opening. I'll tell you why.

One of the main attractions of this park is its Play Garden. And it's not just any garden...In this space you will find elements inspired by two great fairy tales: Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where children explore, learn and have fun in these magical settings. So, if your little ones are fans of these stories, fun is already guaranteed.

The ice skating rink is another attraction (in winter season) for the little ones in Maggie Daley Park, a mini golf course and even a climbing wall.

In short, a park with lots of entertainment for the kids, regardless of the season you visit.

Setting aside a day for a trip to LEGOLAND Discovery Center will drive more than one child crazy.

Imagine a place where hundreds of thousands of Lego pieces are available for the little ones to create whatever they want, play with their creations and take workshops in various exhibits. Great, isn't it? Well, that's what you'll find here... And both young and old will see time fly in this place.

The fun is also brought to the screens with a 4D cinema with Lego movies, plus a Lego racing game in virtual reality.

For reservations and more information about the exhibits included, you can check their website.

Chicago is famous for its skyscrapers. So much so that there are even special tours to visit them. Seeing them from the outside is already impressive. But how about from above? And don't worry about visiting them with little ones... They are the first ones who will want to go up. In Chicago you will find at least two attractions to observe the city from the top:

Skydeck Chicago

This observation deck is located on Willis Tower which, at more than 1,000 feet tall, is the second tallest building in the United States

You'll climb to the 103rd floor and from there, you'll realize why it's a perfect vantage point. On clear days, your view can reach up to 80 kilometers away, differentiating four neighboring states of Illinois. Undoubtedly, a good time to review American geography with your children live.

And while you're up here, you can take advantage of one of its star attractions: The Ledge, where you and your children can peer beyond in a kind of transparent box.

Tilt, Chicago 360

Another very famous viewpoint for both locals and visitors is the Chicago 360 and its attraction "Tilt," located in the John Hancock building. Despite being several meters lower (94th floor, 305 meters high) than the previous one, the adrenaline rush is equal or greater due to its design.

And is that in this viewpoint, instead of having glass floors, visitors lean forward on huge windows to see what is below their feet. The sensation of being suspended in the air while holding onto the frame with your arms is unique and many children come up here to relax with their parents.

I leave you this link to purchase tickets for Chicago 360 and review more details of this attraction.

Recommendations for tours from the heights

The weekends receive the most visitors to these spaces, so, if possible, I recommend you make the visit during the week.

As for the views, the best times to visit these viewpoints are at its opening (in the morning at 9:30 am approximately) and before closing (10:30 pm), so you will avoid excessive daytime reflections and shadows when the sun is falling. The nighttime views are also impressive and if you don't mind the little ones going to bed late, it can be an unforgettable visit.

For both attractions, tickets are limited and sell out early. It is recommended to make reservations online in advance.

In Chicago, you will find permanent shows by the Blue Man Group, a group of strange bald men in blue that you will surely know from their worldwide fame.

Their shows, which last 90 minutes, are a mix of music, movement and lots of color, where, by the way, humor is a must. And don't worry about the language... They don't utter a word, which makes it an ideal show for the little ones.

A show full of surprises that will keep your children without blinking until... A few splashes of color reach the seats.

Recommendations for the Blue Man Group show

Due to the characteristics and intensity of the sounds and lights, it is considered especially suitable for children over 3 years old. Also, people sensitive to these sensations, should take precautions if they wish to attend (earplugs, dark glasses for the stroboscopic effect or even withdraw for a few minutes of the show).

There are many museums that Chicago stands out for, including several interesting options for kids to remember this great city.

It wasn't easy to choose the best options to enjoy with the family... But I did my best to include at least three that I know they will love.

Field Museum of Natural History

If your kids can't stop talking about dinosaurs, a visit to the Field Museum of Natural History is definitely a must.

The little ones and well, many not so little ones... will be left open-mouthed when they meet Sue, Chicago's famous T. rex. This specimen is known as the largest and best preserved tyrannosaurus fossil known. If that's already amazing, aneven larger dinosaur skeleton has been added. Want to see it live?

In addition to dinosaurs, this museum houses natural treasures that will appeal to anyone. The exhibits are constantly changing, so I suggest you check the available exhibits before you visit.

Here is how to buy tickets and other details about this museum.

Museum of Science and Industry

I don't even know where to start. This museum has it all! and even with a week inside, you wouldn't be able to get to know it. It is a marvel that every traveler in Chicago alone, as a couple or as a family should take advantage of.

Children from 8 years old and up will have endless fun here. From a coal mine, flight simulators and thunderstorm generators... To fairy castles, dissection practices, an idea factory, a room to listen to the journey of secrets and even a German submarine! In addition, there is the Giant Dome Theater, where documentaries on science and exploration are shown.

Complicated to choose where to start, don't you think?

I suggest you check the permanent exhibits in advance so that once there, you can make the most of your visit with your family.

Museum of Illusionism

In this museum, children and their families have the opportunity to navigate through the world of optical illusions.

Among the exhibits of this museum you will find holograms, kaleidoscopes and several rooms with tricks that are as fun as they are strange. The little ones will be amazed when they see their parents shrink in size, see their head in the center of an elegant menu, and walk along the walls as if they had superpowers.

In this museum, you will play with your mind several times and your own perceptions will be put to the test. A family visit to this space will be very fun and educational.

Recommendations when visiting some museums in the city

At least two of the museums I recommended here: Field Museum of Natural History and Museum of Science and Industry are quite popular and many people queue here to visit them. I recommend you to arrive during the first 1-2 hours after opening to avoid crowds and make the most of their exhibits that, even if you stay until closing time, you won't be done with them. It is suggested that you leave at least 4 hours of your day to visit them.

In this list of recommendations food cannot be missing and, two preparations that almost all children can't resist are pizzas and ice cream.

Chicago is famous for its Chicago-style pizza, a recipe with a long history created by Italian immigrants in their attempt to Americanize the traditional Italian recipe. It soon became an icon of the city.

What makes it different? Besides making small variations in its ingredients, it is basically a thicker pizza... With more layers and toppings. For this reason, it is prepared in a deep pan.

There are many options to go try these pizzas. And if you want something more selective but varied, you can do a gastronomic tour with any of the options... As long as there is pizza, surely your children will thank you.

• Travel seasonally prepared: The best weather in Chicago occurs between the months of April and May, as well as September and October. In these months, temperatures are quite comfortable, i.e., not at extremes hot or cold. The summer months, however, can be less than tolerable because of the heat, rain and abundant humidity... But they can also give you the best welcome to the city (it usually brings surprises). That's for sure!

Regardless of the weather, in the summer you will find crowds of vacationers in the city and, with children, it can be a hassle to spend a long time in lines and waiting.

In the period from November to March, winds and low temperatures are present in the city. If your visit is around this time, the family has to travel with enough warm clothes (several layers of clothing) that it gets below 15°C below 0.

• And if you buy the CITY PASS: Several of the attractions shown here are included in the CITY PASS tourist pass. This means you will save up to 50% on admission to attractions such as: Skydeck, Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. You will have 9 days to do your sightseeing.

If you plan to get to know Chicago well, this pass is well worth it!