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

Lisa R said:  The tree top ropes courses at Go Ape bring you closer to nature and your chimpanzee ancestors in one go. You'll spend 2-3 hours hiking through the tree top canopy with the aid of suspended ropes and zip lines. The cost of admission includes all of the necessary safety gear and a 30-minute class on safety and course etiquette. Ten to fifteen year olds must be accompanied by an adult 18+, while 16-17 year olds only need a signed waiver. Additional adventures are also available!

Kristy Pepping said:  The Bronzeville Children's Museum opened in 1993 as the first and only African-American children's museum in the country. One hour tours are provided to introduce children to four different subject matters allowing them to play as they learn. Tours occur ever hour on the hour. Learn about African American inventors, STEM leaders, athletes, innovations in medicine and more. Each exhibit is play based, with age appropriate toys and activities to match.

Lisa R said:  Consistently rated one of the best guided tours in Chicago, Bobby's Bike Hire has a range of walking and biking tours specially tailored for tourists, families with young kids, date night, etc. It's a great way to catch up on Chicago history, learn about new places that you'll want to return to again and again, and (best of all) learn obscure facts that will impress your friends!

Sarah D. said:  The Nature Boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo is an oasis in the concrete jungle. This beautiful expanse in Lincoln Park stretches through Illinois prairie and wetland ecosystems with half a mile of boardwalk. The trail can be found at the southernmost end of the Lincoln Park Zoo and provides an educational experience for visitors including seasonal presentations. This trail provides access to the famous Chicago Lakefront Trail and North Avenue Beach.

Kristy Pepping said:  Chicago History Museum is located at the South end of Lincoln Park. The building itself is beautiful and the museum hosts a great selection of rotating, interactive exhibits; it's the perfect place to bring your budding historian! Kids can step inside an old L train car, or pretend to be a steam train conductor. There's also a sensory exhibit geared for youth where they can dress up as a Chicago hot dog! Illinois residents 18 and under, and non-residents 12 and under, always enjoy free admission.

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.

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!

Shila said:  Naper Settlement is a 19th century outdoor living history museum featuring 12 acres of learning and interactive family-friendly opportunities. Above that, Naper Settlement has a wooden fort-inspired playscape out back that features a trading post, sensory prairie garden, a playground, picnic tables and a seasonal splash pad with water cannons and ground water jets. Naper Settlement is steps away from dining, shopping and the Naperville Riverwalk.