10 Things to do in Chicago with Kids

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 plus point is that it is a child-friendly city.

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 holidays of their lives in this city. From parks and museums, to adventures hundreds of metres above sea level and delicious pizza. Read 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 a must-do. Moreover, 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! On 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 city's most famous movable bridge come into play and fascinate young and old alike.

This tour starts at 38 euros, lasts an hour and a half and has the great advantage of operating all year round. They are very child-friendly cruises and will make for a very entertaining trip.

Escape rooms are among the newest attractions that are quickly gaining a fan base in Chicago. While 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 these games are 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 one of the best in Chicago. Among the escapes available, two have a version adapted for children and teenagers: "The Prison" and "The Bunker". All you have to do is contact the company to request these adjustments in your reservation and let's have fun!
• Escape Artistry: they have a total of 6 games in two different spaces. The first is The Time Gallery and the second 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're great fun!

Recommendations when entering an Escape Room

In the escape rooms, it is important to keep in mind that the age limit is between 7 and 8 years old. In Fox in a Box every child who 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 be aware that these spaces can generate anxiety, stress and even claustrophobia. Parents are expected to assess this (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 holidays. In Chicago, an excellent option for a family visit is the Lincoln Park Zoo.

This zoo is one of the oldest in the United States and is home to 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 whirling heads of the owls are also characters that often attract the attention of the little ones.

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

• Pritzker Family Children's Zoo: Combines expert wildlife care and interactive learning for the whole family, including "touching" sessions, a favourite 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 live together by observing, smelling, listening and touching.

Children who visit the zoo as a family will also benefit from the different programmes 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 programmes and activities on Earth Day (22nd April).

Since the 1870s this zoo has been free of charge and efforts are being made 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 endangered animal merry-go-round and the little train ride through the zoo that some of your children will probably ask to go on.

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

Some of the attractions that are especially enjoyed by the younger ones are:

• Pier Park: located on the highest platform of Navy Pier, this park features Chicago's famous 60-metre high Centennial Ferris wheel, a traditional merry-go-round with 34 animals to ride, a flying chair ride, an 18-hole miniature golf course, remote-controlled boats to pilot on the water and even a 4D virtual experience of the Chicago of the future.
• Chicago Children's Museum: this 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 dinosaur expeditions 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 inside 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 May and September, Navy Pier hosts nightly fireworks shows every week. A great excuse for the little ones to stay up late during the holidays, don't you think?

Recommendations when visiting Navy Pier

For the safety of visitors and staff, 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 autumn. However, you can check 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 the centre of Chicago that has been a hit with children since it opened its doors. 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, you're already guaranteed to have fun.

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

All in all, a park with plenty of entertainment for the little ones, no matter what 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 exhibitions. Great, isn't it? Well, that's what you'll find here... And young and old alike will see time fly by in this place.

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

For reservations and more information on the exhibits included, you can check out 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 impressive enough. But how about from above? And don't worry about visiting them with little ones... They'll be the first ones to want to go up. In Chicago you'll find at least two attractions to see the city from above:

Skydeck Chicago

This observation deck is located on Willis Tower which, at over 440m high, is the second tallest building in the United States

You'll climb to the 103rd floor and from there, you'll realise why it's a perfect vantage point. On clear days, your view can reach up to 80 kilometres away, distinguishing four neighbouring 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 look out over the top in a kind of transparent box.

Tilt, Chicago 360

Another popular observation deck for locals and visitors alike is the Chicago 360 and its attraction "Tilt," located on the John Hancock Building. Despite being several metres lower (94th floor, 305 metres above sea level) than the previous one, the adrenaline rush is equal or greater due to its design.

Instead of having glass floors, visitors lean forward over 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 let their parents relax.

I leave you this link to buy tickets for Chicago 360 and check out more details of this attraction.

Recommendations for tours from the heights

The weekends are the busiest times to visit, so if possible, I recommend you visit during the week.

As for the views, the best times to visit these viewpoints are when they open (in the morning at about 9:30 am) and before they close (10:30 pm), so you avoid the excessive daytime reflections and shadows when the sun goes down. 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 advisable to book online in advance.

In Chicago, you'll find permanent shows by the Blue Man Group, a group of strange bald men in blue who you'll probably know from their worldwide fame.

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

A show full of surprises that will keep your children blinking until... A few splashes of colour 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 of age. Also, people sensitive to these sensations should take precautions if they wish to attend (earplugs, dark glasses due to the stroboscopic effect or even withdraw for a few minutes from the show).

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

It wasn't easy to choose the best options for the whole family to enjoy... 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 come across Sue, Chicago's famous T. rex. This specimen is known to be the largest and best preserved Tyrannosaurus fossil known. If that's amazing enough, aneven larger dinosaur skeleton has been added. Want to see it live?

In addition to dinosaurs, this museum is home to natural treasures that will appeal to anyone. The exhibits are constantly changing, so I suggest you check what's available before you visit.

Here's 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 all. It's a marvel that any traveller 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 practice, an idea factory, a room to hear the journey of secrets and even a German submarine! Add to this 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 out the permanent exhibits in advance so that once there, you can make the most of your family visit.

Museum of Illusionism

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

Among the exhibits in 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 centre of an elegant menu, and walk along the walls as if they had superpowers.

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

Recommendations when visiting some of the city's museums

At least two of the museums 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 arriving within 1-2 hours of opening to avoid the crowds and make the most of the exhibits, and 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.

Food is a must on this list of recommendations, and two preparations that almost every child can't resist are pizza 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 Americanise the traditional Italian recipe. It soon became an icon of the city.

What makes it different? Apart from slight variations in toppings, it's basically a thicker pizza... with more layers and toppings. For this reason, it is prepared in a deep frying pan.

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

• 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 can be unbearable because of the heat, rain and heavy humidity... But they can also give you the best welcome to the city (and often bring surprises). That's for sure!

Regardless of the weather, in the summer you'll find crowds of holidaymakers in the city and, with children, it can be a hassle to spend a long time queuing and waiting.

In the November to March period, winds and low temperatures are a feature of the city. If you visit at this time of year, the family needs to travel with plenty of warm clothes (several layers of clothing) as it can get below 15°C below freezing.

• What if you buy the CITY PASS: Several of the attractions shown here are included in the CITY 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'll have 9 days to do your sightseeing.

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