Summer in Chicagoland means strolls along the Riverwalk and hot dogs at Wrigley Field. But it also offers a great opportunity to explore the city's many kid-friendly museums.
Museums offer entertainment, education, and the most precious of commodities on a hot summer day in Chicago—air conditioning! These are some of our real estate agents' favorite children's museums in Chicagoland.
Chicago Children's Museum - 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Located on Navy Pier in the heart of the Streeterville area, the Chicago Children's Museum is one of the most well-known kids' attractions in the city. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm during the summer months, offering exhibits, programs, and themed play spaces for all age ranges, from babies and toddlers all the way up to kids 9+. This is a popular spot, so advance tickets are recommended!
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Located a stone's throw from Lake Michigan in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is dedicated to showcasing the bond between humanity and nature. This museum features spectacular exhibits dedicated to plant and animal life, surrounded by acres of rolling woods, meadows, and ponds. The most well-known feature of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is its 2,700-square-foot greenhouse, which houses over 1,000 free-flying butterflies.
Bronzeville Children's Museum - 9301 S Stony Is Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
The Bronzeville Children's Museum is special for more than one reason. Located in the Calumet Heights community area of the South Side of Chicago, it's an incredible resource for the local community. It's also the first and only African American children's museum in the United States. The museum offers unique and insightful hands-on exhibits dedicated to art, science, nutrition, technology, and history.
Wonder Works Children's Museum - 6445 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Wonder Works Children's Museum is located in the village of Oak Park, one of Chicago's northwest suburbs. This museum traces its roots back to the founding of Wonder Works in 1991 with the mission of changing lives through creative play. Spanning a vast 6,400 square feet, this museum features rotating events and programs as well as a great variety of permanent exhibits like a kids' farmers market, art studio, and children's garden.
Field Museum - 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Built in 1921, the Field Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most prestigious natural history museums in the world. Though the Field Museum doesn't cater exclusively to children, there's plenty to see and do here that will fascinate kids and grown-ups alike. Located just east of the South Loop in Chicago's Lakefront Museum Campus, the museum is most famous for its dinosaur exhibits, including the near-complete skeleton of Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
DuPage Children's Museum - 301 N Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540
Kids and adults alike will have a blast visiting the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville. Explore one of the many fun exhibits and rotating special events. You cna also book the event to host private parties.
Kohl Children's Museum - 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026
The Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago offers fun and educational resources for children ages 0 to 8. The museum is currently offering a special exhibition called Van Gogh for All. This traveling exhibition brings an immersive, kid-friendly experience about the work and life of 19th-century artist Vincent van Gogh.
Children's Museum in Oak Lawn - 5100 Museum Dr, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
A variety of interactive playrooms and exhibits await at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, with a focus on hands-on play and learning. A popular place for field trips and birthday parties, this museum includes themed areas like an Imagination Playground and Tuneful Treehouse. The museum is located in the heart of Oak Lawn, a charming village that is considered a southwest suburb of Chicago.
Contact us today to learn more about things to do with kids in Chicagoland! We're proud to live in one of America's most family-friendly cities, and we're here to help you find your home in the Chicago area.
