Your Chicago guide for babies + kids (city + burbs)
your guide to free and low cost activities in chicago! based on your comfort level with COVID, many of these options you are able to social distance, too. we respect your comfort level and want to provide options based on that!
Chicago is currently in Phase 4 of reopening.
The goal of Phase Four is to continue cautiously reopening the city, while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. Chicago Phase 4 Guidelines include:
- Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people or less. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people or less.
- Indoor dining is allowed at 25% capacity. Outdoor dining, carryout, and delivery are allowed.
- Movie theaters and performing arts venues are limited to 50 guests or 50% capacity.
- Museums and zoos are limited to 25% capacity with tours limited to 50 people or less.
- Gyms are open at 50% capacity and all patrons must wear masks.
- Social distancing and face coverings are required whenever possible.
- Advanced ticketing/reservations are encouraged whenever possible.
We understand that you may have a varying level of comfort with COVID. We bring you these options knowing that! You should pick activities based on your comfort level – but here are some options we love!
REMEMBER:
Most businesses require:
All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Plan to purchase tickets in advance. Capacity and hours may be limited, check with museums/business for details.
FREE CITY ACTIVITIES:
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- This is one of our favorite places to visit in the city! There are so many fun animals to see and it’s the perfect place to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while you’re there. The zoo also has a fun farm area where you children can pet goats, feed cows and play on a giant tractor!
- Admission is FREE, but you will need to pay for parking unless you’re lucky enough to find a parking spot on the street.
- Kate loved doing a late afternoon stroll in the LP zoo and then walking over to Chicago Pizza and Ovengrinder to pickup curbside for dinner! (They are currently not open for inside dining, curbsude only. When they do open – here’s a tip! CPOG doesn’t take resos, so get there early (like 430pm) and wait is minimal!)
- This is one of our favorite places to visit in the city! There are so many fun animals to see and it’s the perfect place to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while you’re there. The zoo also has a fun farm area where you children can pet goats, feed cows and play on a giant tractor!
- Farmers + city markets
- Click here for the schedule of the farmers + city markets around the city. Some of them have people playing the guitar and you can get a quick bite to eat and have a picnic!
- Splash pads and water playgrounds in the parks around the city
- Whole Foods in Lincoln Park offers FREE music classes every Thursday
- Click here to find the schedule for every Thursday from 10:00-10:30 a.m. put on by Bubbles Academy
- Story time at the Chicago public libraries
- Click here for the calendar of FREE story times at libraries near your neighborhood
- Chicago Children’s Museum – FREE the first Sunday of every month
- This children’s museum is located within Navy Pier so it’s a fun place to visit for all ages! Some of our favorite exhibits include the Cloud Buster, Dinosaur Dig, Kids Town Urban Neighborhood, Treehouse, and Play it Safe Fire Station!
- Admission is free for kids 15 and under all day on the first Sunday of every month
- Required: All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Plan to purchase tickets in advance. Capacity and hours may be limited, check with museums for details.
- This children’s museum is located within Navy Pier so it’s a fun place to visit for all ages! Some of our favorite exhibits include the Cloud Buster, Dinosaur Dig, Kids Town Urban Neighborhood, Treehouse, and Play it Safe Fire Station!
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is FREE on Thursdays
- Thursdays are FREE for Illinois residents with a “suggested donation” – kids love the butterfly exhibit and the rotating exhibit on the 2nd level. They also have a storytime, creature corner and butterfly release everyday! The water stations are a huge hit with our kids, we usually choose to do this last because they are usually soaked by the end (but it’s worth it!)
- Required: All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Plan to purchase tickets in advance. Capacity and hours may be limited, check with museums for details.
- Free museum days for Chicago residents
- Certain days at museums around the city are FREE for Chicago residents. Click here for the schedule.
- Required: All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Plan to purchase tickets in advance. Capacity and hours may be limited, check with museums for details.
- A few of our favorite museums for kids:
- Adler Planetarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- The Field Museum
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Shedd Aquarium
- A few of our favorite museums for kids:
- Parks around the city
- There are so many FREE parks in all areas of the city to explore with your kids!
- Walk along the 606 trail
- There is a little play gym at the entrance of the 606 trail by Churchill Park
- Walk along the River Walk downtown
- There are several restaurants and also an ice cream shop. There is also a big water fountain that kids can splash in to cool down if it’s hot!
- Maggie Daley Park
- This is such a cool park and it’s FREE admission! Please note that this park is very popular, so we suggest getting there early to avoid the crowds. And while you’re in the area be sure to check out The Bean which is nearby!
- Gallagher Way at Wrigley field
- This is a great outdoor space in the heart of Wrigleyville right outside of Wrigleyfield. They host special community events such as outdoor music (both children and adult concerts), farmers markets, movies in the park (our favorite!), and an amazing fountain/splash pad for your children to play and cool down in! There are also many different dining options in and around Gallagher Way or packing a picnic to enjoy on the grass is a great option as well!
- This was Lauren and Kate’s city meet up spot when they both lived in the city!
- Beaches
- We are hoping the beaches will be able to reopen this summer because they are our favorite place to spend a sunny day!
- The top beaches we like to visit with our kids include Montrose Beach, Foster Beach, Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, Ohio Street Beach and South Shore Beach
- We are hoping the beaches will be able to reopen this summer because they are our favorite place to spend a sunny day!
$30 AND UNDER:
MUSIC CLASSES (CURRENTLY ON HOLD OR OUTDOOR MAY BE AVAILABLE)
- Mr. Dave’s music class
- This music class in Wicker Park (register beforehand because it fills up!) is fun for kids who love to sing and dance! $22 per class
- Monica & Andy
- This Lincoln Park store has “Tunes with Tim” + “Tiny Tunes with Tim” music classes for a $15 drop in fee. It is a very interactive music class complete with all different types of instruments for your kids to use and a bubble finale! They also have an adorable “milk + cookie bar” after class if over for your little ones to enjoy! Plus you can shop while they snack, their clothes are all organic and so cute!
- **CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD – some outdoor and socially distanced classes are offered. Check here for schedule**
- Zoom classes are held every Friday at 9am
Play Spaces
- Little Beans Cafe play space
This is a great indoor play space and cafe for your kids. No need to pack a lunch or bring coffee because they have it available to purchase there! - Present Place
Another great indoor play space which has a designated “infant” area so your littlest one has a safe place to practice crawling or doing tummy time. They also have small snacks and juice boxes for purchase as well as free coffee for caregivers! There are a few different locations in the city. - Bubbles Academy
This play area offers many different classes for all ages and developmental levels. Classes include art, music, movement, and also support for new parents! - Altitude Jump Park
This indoor trampoline park is one of my kids favorite! There is plenty of space for them to jump around and the foam pits are so fun to land in!They also offer a special “toddler time” for kids aged 2-6 years old so it’s safer and easier for them to jump without some of the older kids around. It’s the perfect spot to spend a rainy day to get some of their energy out!
- Metta Baby Infant Wellness
These classes are a little more on the expensive side but we wanted to include them because it is such a fun and unique experience for your baby! This studio offers water floating for infants aged 0-6 months as well as an instructor led infant massage class. It can be hard to find activities or places to bring infants in this age group so Metta Baby is a great option if you are looking for a fun activity and bonding experience for you and your baby.
PS – Lauren works here! Stop in and say hi!
WESTERN SUBURBS:
- Monica & Andy in OakBrook
This is the same store as in Lincoln park and they offer a “Music with Miss Liz” class for a $15 drop in fee. Check out their adorable clothes while your kids enjoy the music! - Waterlemon Kids in LaGrange
This adorable children’s store also has an indoor play space for kids under 5 and a separate play space for infants and crawlers to explore! While you’re visiting be sure to check out their children’s clothes and toys, party supplies and coffee bar!
Currently, there is an RSVP policy to limit capacity. - DuPage Children’s Museum
This museum is great for all age ranges (even babies learning to crawl) and is very hands on/interactive which kids love! - Playroom Cafe Two in Naperville
This BRAND NEW indoor play space has so much to offer including a wooden play structure, ball pit and separate baby area. They even have a yummy cafe with delicious coffee and healthy menu choices! - Grounds for Hope Cafe in Lisle
This cafe is home to a cute indoor play space called Kids Street and has a three story PlayHouse for 2-6 year olds along with a WonderHouse for ages 2 and under. The cafe offers made from scratch bakery items, hand crafted beverages and daily breakfast/lunch options! - Cosley Zoo
This is such an EASY place to park and walk around to see from animals and native Illinois wildlife
Kids are FREE and adult tickets are $7 - Brookfield Zoo
This is easily a favorite place to visit with our kids! The zoo offers so many different animals and exhibits to explore as well as special events throughout the year. - Story times at public libraries
Check your local library for FREE story times - Walk along Naperville’s River Walk
This brick paved river walk is a beautiful place to take a stroll and enjoy the outdoors with your kids and family. Along the riverwalk you can find restaurants, fountains, a playground, live music and paddle boat rides! - Kline Creek Farm in Wheaton
This is such a cute and low key farm where you can see chickens, sheep, cows, horses, etc. and it’s FREE! - Oakbrook’s Turf Lawn
Oakbrook mall has a great turf lawn in the center where kids can run and play that is FREE. They also play movies outside when the weather permits in the summer! - Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden includes 10 different themed gardens for you kids to explore and play! Some of our favorites activities include splashing in the secret streams, climbing on the giant acorns, and playing in the tree house! - OAKBROOK COMMUNITY INDOOR POOL AND SPLASH PAD
One of Kate’s favorite places! The splash pad is currently reservation only. Two big slides and a zero depth pool, option to bring your own food with a picnic area. Great for a Friday night with pizza!
The indoor pool is open year round. A great indoor slide, whirl pool, zero depth pool and lots of fun water play!
You do not need to be an Oakbrook resident, but dues are a bit higher.
- TY WARNER SPLASH PAD
Another favorite! the “spray park” is perfect for littles. A sand play area and picnic tables available.
- Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm (open Sept. 18)
Pick a pumpkin, get some apple cider, apple cider donuts, a hay ride, good food and more!
- Keller’s Farmstand and Apple Orchard
3 locations. This is where Kate’s family goes near their family farm! The sweet corn is out of this world, and so are the fruits and veggies! Apple Orchard opens end of August.
NORTHERN SUBURBS
- Skokie Water Playground
This aquatic center is a perfect place to cool off in the summer heat! The main pool has a zero depth entry, 3 large water slides and a giant red bucket that tips over when it overflows! There is also an all accessible splash pad for kids of all ages to enjoy. Admission is $15 or less! - Skokie Exploritorium
This interactive play space is a perfect place for your kids to explore and learn! Some of our kids favorite exhibits include the water play area, climbing wall, 2 and a half story tall tubes and tunnels, and dress up costume station! Admission is $15 or less! - Story time at your public library
Check your local library for FREE story times - Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview
This children’s museum is another great hands on learning center for kids - Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville
This forest preserve has so many different things to offer including a beach, walking trails, Children’s Grove sensory playground, boat and paddleboard rentals and outdoor concerts! - Lamb’s Farm in Libertyville
This is such a cute farm where kids can pet + feed animals - Chicago Botanic Garden, Children’s Garden in Glencoe
Admission is always FREE for Chicago residents (just pay parking $25). It is such a beautiful place to visit and they have a fun area for kids to explore! - Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest
This nature center allows you to get up close and personal with a number of different animals including reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. They also have different trails to explore and nature based programs for all ages. - Whimsy Play Cafe in Buffalo Grove
This play space is geared toward kids ages 6 months-7 years and is all about letting your children’s imaginations run wild! While your kids play you can enjoy coffee/tea and snacks from the cafe. - Round Lake Children’s Neighborhood Museum
This museum is a kid-size version of a town complete with a grocery store and gas station! They can dress up to pretend to be the town’s police officer, firefighter or even a day care worker.
A “crawler zone” is also available for kids under 1.
Certain hours of the day are FREE! - Tree House in Lake Zurich
This indoor playground provides your kids with plenty of space to climb and explore! It has multiple levels of climbing fun with swinging bridges, slides and swings. They also offer free wifi, an espresso bar and family friendly food choices. - Lannon Sunflower Farm
Sunflower maze and picking! bring your own jar and clippers - Thompson Strawberry Farm
Pick strawberries, pumpkins, sunflowers and more depending on the season! - Nettle Creek Lavender Farm
Bottle up that scent and gear up for a unique visit! Pick your own lavender and herbs and go on a farm tour.
Remember to contact the place of interest regarding their COVID and pre-booking guidelines.
