Indoor Activities for Kids in Chicago
Chicago's best indoor kids activities include the Chicago Children's Museum ($17), Museum of Science and Industry ($22.95), Shedd Aquarium ($29.95), and several free library programs.
8 places · 3 free · Updated Oct 2026
Three floors of hands-on exhibits for kids ages birth to 10. Features a dinosaur dig, water play area, building zone, and art studio. Located on Navy Pier. Free admission for children under 1. Illinois residents get free admission on the first Sunday and Monday of each month.
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Features a captured WWII German U-boat, a coal mine ride, the Science Storms exhibit, and a massive model train layout. The Idea Factory is designed specifically for kids 0-10 with water play and building activities. Free for Illinois residents on select days.
World-class aquarium with 32,000 animals. The Polar Play Zone is designed for families with kids under 5 and features a penguin habitat and touch pools. The Abbott Oceanarium has beluga whales and dolphins. Illinois residents receive discounted admission on certain days.
The Crown Family PlayLab inside the Field Museum is a free-with-admission play space for kids ages 2-6. Kids can dig for fossils, build a beaver dam, crawl through a log, and explore nature. The broader museum features SUE the T. rex and the Evolving Planet exhibit, great for older kids.
One of the largest conservatories in the nation, completely free. The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden lets kids dig in soil, play in a stream, climb a twisting vine sculpture, and explore plants through touch and smell. The main conservatories feature tropical palms, ferns, and desert plants.
Chicago's main library branch has a dedicated children's floor with free storytime sessions, craft programs, STEM activities, and a play area for young kids. The Thomas Hughes Children's Library hosts daily programming. All Chicago Public Library branches offer free kids programs -- check your local branch for schedules.
A family-focused nature museum with the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven (a walk-through greenhouse with hundreds of live butterflies), a nature play area for toddlers, hands-on water and animal exhibits, and the RiverWorks water table. Smaller and more manageable for young kids than the big museums.
The 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway along the Chicago River is free to walk and features public art, seasonal play fountains, kayak rentals, and architecture boat tours. The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum at the east end is great for older kids interested in engineering. Free outdoor space year-round.