Fun Kid-Friendly Activities To Try Out In Chicago!

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post written by Stephanie Pragides, for www.moneylogue.com

“I’m bored.”

“There’s nothing to do.”

“I just want to play on my iPad!”

These may be the top three sentences parents hear from their children – and the top three sentences they dislike hearing the most. Being a parent in this Digital Age can be tricky. In a time where information technology plays a vital role in our everyday lives, electronic devices are the go-to when “there isn’t anything fun to do”.

Sometimes, children don’t think anything else is fun but playing their video games all day.

Luckily, Chicago is one of the most kid-friendly cities, offering a variety of events to attend and places to visit with your young ones. The city offers many things for young minds to focus on.

No matter what time of day, there is always something to see or do.  From seeing artwork and exhibits as the museum, to watching plays at theaters, to feeding animals at zoos and everything in between, there are plenty of kid friendly activities to do in the Windy City.

Museums

Museums are a win-win. Not only are they fun with their interactive and larger than life exhibits, but they are educational as well. Behind each exhibit, there’s a backstory. Children can learn about force and space, while learning about the first astronauts visiting space. In an age where independence is fostered at such an early age, children can become engineers for a day at the Museum of Science and Industry.  

If your little ones love the idea of digging up fossils, the Field Museum is the place to go. They can look at fossils and dinosaur bones while learning about the Mesozoic era. They can visit Maximo the Dinosaur – the largest dinosaur that ever lived! The Field Museum also has seasonal exhibits as well, such as Mummies (October), and more interactive ones like Museum Alive 3D, where you can come face to face with extinct animals brought to life through the 3D movie.

Theatres

The Chicago Children’s Theatre

The Chicago Children’s Theatre offers plays and acting lessons for children year-round. They’ve produced 17 world premieres in the last 11 years. A few of their plays are “A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter”, “Last Stop on Market Street”, and “The Selfish Giant”. If you’re looking for a creative way to spend your child’s birthday, they also offer Birthday Bashes!

Emerald City Theatre

The Emerald City Theatre has three locations in the city; Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Logan Square. Their shows include, Ken Ludwig’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox”. Each location also offers classes and camps for children ages 3.5-15 years old! Classes and camps offer a variety of themes. Emerald City Theatre also hosts after-school programs that teach children exercises in singing, acting, and dancing.

Parks

Millennium Park

Chicago’s most famous park – Millennium Park. Everyone who visits the Windy City makes a point to visit the beautiful and spacious park. Check out the larger than life artwork displays, visit and take a selfie at Cloud Gate, or take a leisurely walk through the Lurie Garden flowers. In the winter months, the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink opens up.

Maggie Daley Park

This park is THE family friendly park. The park is beautifully laid out, and while it is visually stunning there is plenty to actually do!  Mini golf and tennis courts keep you in tip-top shape, while the play garden can keep your little ones energized as they slide down slides and run around. Picnic groves are also conveniently placed along the park so if you and your kids need some rest and relaxation, there’s a quiet place to do so. Vendors selling little treats are also sometimes scattered throughout the area in case you are in need of a quick snack or sweet treat.

Beaches

Chicago is also home to many beaches. Nothing screams summer like playing in the sand, swimming, and laying out on the beach. Pack a picnic lunch and extra sunscreen and the kids will have a blast! Montrose Beach is a popular spot for families, along with Oakwood Beach and North Ave Beach.

Navy Pier

A go-to tourist spot, Navy Pier is also home to the magnificent Centennial Wheel, climbing walls, a carousel and light tower. After all the rides and games, children can refuel at one of the many restaurants. They offer daily cruises so you can sit back and enjoy the lake.  Navy Pier is also home to Chicago’s Children Museum! Your kids can participate in a number of activities and exhibits such as “Science of Slides”, “Sensory Suspense” and “Woodshop”.

Zoos

Brookfield Zoo

The Windy City is jam-packed with animals at Brookfield Zoo. Children can meet giraffes, tigers, dolphins and many more animals. The Zoo also hosts many fun events. One of their most popular events is Holiday Magic light festival that runs every December. Visitors can sing carols to the animals and enjoy the indoor exhibits and outdoor lights. Brookfield Zoo hosts many events and shows all year round as well.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is smaller but just as charming as Brookfield Zoo. There is no cost to enter the zoo and enjoy visiting the animals. Lincoln Park Zoo does host numerous events for children such as Breakfast with Santa, Spooky Zoo, and Family Nature Days. They also host events geared towards adults such as War of the Worlds Radio Theatre and BrewLights.

Chicago is one of the busiest cities in the country. Walkers and public transit weave through the city constantly. In such a fast-paced city, it’s something easy to forget the more leisurely activities and places Chicago has to offer. Don’t miss out on Chicago’s delicious food!

Don’t forget – while you may see busy office workers and tourists, there are a handful of families with children who not only visit but live in Chicago as well. From museums to theaters, to parks and zoos, your children are bound to find something to keep them engaged and informed, all while having plenty of fun!