Adler Planetarium
Space exhibits about planets, stars and space travel. FREE for Illinois residents on select days (remaining 2026: Oct 1, Oct 26-28, Nov 9-10, Nov 16-18).
1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
Free Things to Do with Kids in Chicago
Always-free museums, Illinois resident free days, conservatories, nature centers, playgrounds and free family events around Chicago.
Area
36 resources
Art Institute of Chicago
World-famous art museum. Kids under 14 are ALWAYS free. Free evenings for Illinois residents on select Thursdays.
111 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Verified 9/29/2026
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Large zoo with animals from around the world. Offers FREE admission days every winter (parking extra). Check the website for dates.
3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Verified 9/29/2026
Chicago Botanic Garden
Gardens, trails and seasonal displays. Always FREE admission for LINK/WIC households and Kids Museum Passport holders, plus Illinois resident free days (parking fee applies).
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Verified 9/29/2026
Chicago Children's Museum
Hands-on museum for young kids at Navy Pier. Free "Play For All" mornings for children and families with disabilities (register ahead), plus occasional Kids Free Days.
700 E. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Verified 9/29/2026
Chicago Cultural Center
Kids draw on the chalk wall in the Learning Lab and see art in a landmark building. Always FREE, with free tours Wed-Sat at 1:15pm.
78 E. Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Verified 9/29/2026
Chicago History Museum
Chicago history museum. Illinois residents under 18 are always free, and all kids under 12 are free.
1601 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Verified 9/29/2026
Chicago Public Library Kids Museum Passport
Borrow a FREE Kids Museum Passport at any Chicago library with your library card. Gets up to 2 adults plus kids under 18 into 15 major Chicago museums free.
Verified 9/29/2026
Crabtree Nature Center
Trails, wildlife exhibits, nature play and baby/toddler programs. FREE (closed Fridays).
3 Stover Rd, Barrington, IL 60010
Verified 9/29/2026
DuSable Black History Museum
Museum of African American history and culture in Washington Park. Free for Illinois residents every Wednesday in 2026.
740 E. 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
Verified 9/29/2026
Field Museum
Natural history museum (dinosaurs!). Free basic admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday in 2026. Check the website for current free days.
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
Garfield Park Conservatory
Indoor plant rooms and a hands-on Children's Garden. FREE for Chicago residents with ID.
300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Verified 9/29/2026
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)
Hands-on science exhibits: trains, flight, weather and more. FREE for Illinois residents on select days (remaining 2026: Sept 30, Oct 5-7, 13-14, 18). Bring proof of residency.
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Verified 9/29/2026
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Historic glass-house conservatory with tropical plants and seasonal flower shows. FREE admission with timed-entry reservations.
2391 N. Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Verified 9/29/2026
Lincoln Park Zoo
One of the last free zoos in the country. FREE admission every day, open year-round.
2001 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Verified 9/29/2026
Lincoln Park Zoo Teen Internships
PAID 7-week summer job for Chicago teens 16-18 teaching visitors about animals and conservation. Applications usually open Feb 1 and close in early March.
2001 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Verified 9/29/2026
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
Live animals, nature play, a sensory water feature and trails, plus programs for ages 3-6. FREE (closed Fridays).
9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480
Verified 9/29/2026
Maggie Daley Park
Huge FREE Play Garden playground and picnic areas downtown. The climbing wall, skating ribbon and mini golf cost extra.
337 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
Millennium Park
Splash at Crown Fountain, see the Bean, and enjoy free concerts and events. FREE, open daily 6am-11pm.
201 E. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Verified 9/29/2026
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Modern art museum. Visitors under 18 are always free. Free for Illinois residents on Tuesday evenings.
220 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Verified 9/29/2026
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Rotating photography exhibits at Columbia College. Always FREE (closed Sundays).
600 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
National Hellenic Museum
Greek history, art and culture. FREE for everyone the first Sunday of each month in 2026; kids under 3 always free.
333 S. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661
Verified 9/29/2026
National Museum of Mexican Art
Mexican art and culture in the heart of Pilsen. FREE every day (Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm).
1852 W. 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Verified 9/29/2026
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Puerto Rican art and culture in Humboldt Park. Always FREE.
3015 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Verified 9/29/2026
Night Out in the Parks
FREE summer movies, music, theater, dance and festivals in parks across all 77 Chicago community areas.
Verified 9/29/2026
North Park Village Nature Center
58+ acres of woods, wetland and prairie trails, a discovery room and a nature play area. Open daily 9am-4pm; some classes and camps charge fees.
5801 N. Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646
Verified 9/29/2026
Oak Park Conservatory
Historic conservatory with tropical, desert and fern rooms. FREE (suggested $5 donation), Tue-Sun 10am-4pm.
615 Garfield St, Oak Park, IL 60304
Verified 9/29/2026
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Hands-on Midwest nature exhibits. 52 Illinois resident FREE days in 2026 (suggested $10 donation), including Oct 5-9, Nov 2-4, Nov 30-Dec 2 and Dec 7-8.
2430 N. Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Verified 9/29/2026
River Trail Nature Center
Indoor and outdoor nature play, live animals and river trails. FREE (closed Fridays).
3120 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062
Verified 9/29/2026
Sand Ridge Nature Center
Live birds of prey, snakes and turtles, log cabins and 4 miles of trails, plus programs for ages 2-5. FREE (closed Fridays).
15891 Paxton Ave, South Holland, IL 60473
Verified 9/29/2026
Shedd Aquarium
Sharks, penguins, touch pools and animal feedings. Offers Illinois resident FREE days each year, mostly in winter. Check the website for dates.
1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
Shedd Aquarium Teen Work-Study
PAID Saturday program (16 weeks) for high school students working on food security and sustainability projects, with coaching, resume help and networking. Call Shedd for how to enroll.
1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Verified 9/29/2026
Smart Museum of Art
University of Chicago art museum with free Family Days. Always FREE.
5550 S. Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Verified 9/29/2026
Swedish American Museum
Hands-on Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration. FREE on the second Tuesday of each month; otherwise $4 per child or $15 per family.
5211 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
Verified 9/29/2026
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Live native animals, wildflower gardens, nature play, animal feedings and crafts. FREE (closed Fridays).
738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
Verified 9/29/2026
Wonder Works Children's Museum
Hands-on play museum for young kids. EBT/WIC cardholders pay just $5 per guest (up to 4) through Museums for All.
6445 W. North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Verified 9/29/2026
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