The best family-friendly activities in Illinois for parents and kids (Updated October 2026)

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Step aboard the iconic California-Chicago Train Expedition as we whisk you away on a journey that combines the...
$5

Miller Park Zoo offers many exhibits and Zookeeper interaction opportunities that are enjoyed by the whole family. Some highlights include: reindeer, Sumatran tiger, greater flamingos,...
$8

Chicago Scav Hunt
Take your shot at completing this Chicago Scavenger Hunt around the Loop and River North neighborhoods including the Riverwalk. Complete this solo or build a...
$8

Discover more of Chicago beyond downtown with this convenient South Side open-top shuttle transfer. Travel from central Chicago to some of the city’s most important...
$10

Operation City Quest of Springfield is a great way to see the city! Use an app to submit photos of items you find around the...
$10

Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360 offers a profound journey through the narratives of survival and resilience during the Holocaust and other genocides. This immersive experience...
$12

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 as the Chicago Architecture Foundation to save the historic Glessner House. Since then, the CAC has...
$15

In the heart of downtown Chicago, the American Writers Museum celebrates all genres of writing through interactive exhibits and programming. From Twain to Tupac, there's...
$16

This guided tour is the ideal way to begin exploring the roots of the author's life and work. It is here that Ernest Hemingway was...
$20

Step inside a unique and fascinating journey through Chicago’s premier indoor mushroom farm, as seen on FX/Hulu’s acclaimed series "The Bear," where our mushrooms were...
$20

Discover the elegance and beauty of Hanfu, the traditional clothing of ancient China, in this one-of-a-kind cultural experience here at our Chinatown Visitor Center! Step...
$20

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago, located at Schaumburg’s Streets of Woodfield shopping center, is a 30,000-square-foot indoor LEGO playground designed for families with children aged 2...
$23

Grafton History and Ghost Tales
Explore Grafton's chilling past on this one-hour walking tour, where history meets the supernatural. - One-hour walking tour focused on Grafton's history and ghost stories...
$25

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Griffin MSI is a Chicago must-see. When visiting the largest science museum in the...
$26

Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House Admission
The Frederick C. Robie House on the University of Chicago campus is considered one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture....
$27

Visit the birthplace of a truly American architecture. Wright’s Oak Park Home and Studio served as both residence and workplace for the first 20 years...
$27

We provide a controlled environment for safe horseback riding for kids and beginners, and a petting zoo. We have a 24,440 sqft equestrian center with...
$27

Our tours are not only personable (due to small group sizes), but also create an immersive experience with our knowledge and expertise in street art....
$27

Flyover in Chicago
The Flyover experience takes 30 minutes from beginning to end. First, on-the-ground stories connect you with the spirit of the Windy City. Then, you’ll discover...
$28

Experience Chicago's legendary architecture and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing legacy for all to admire. This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City's rich...
$28

This isn’t just a ghost tour, it’s a story-driven walk through one of Chicago’s most haunted landscapes, where real history and local legend collide. Unlike...
$30

