Your Trip to Chicago: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Chicago's Best Beaches Hikes Near Chicago Skiing Near Chicago Best Parks Top Museums Theater in Chicago Live Music Venues Shopping Guide Annual Festivals Top Restaurants Kid-Friendly Restaurants Best Bars Craft Beer in Chicago Nightlife Guide The Best Time to Visit Chicago Weather & Climate O'Hare International Airport Midway Airport Guide Neighborhoods to Know Driving in Chicago Public Transportation in Chicago One-Day Itinerary Day Trips From Chicago Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Your Trip to Chicago: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Illinois The 10 Best Attractions for Young Kids in Chicago These engaging exhibitions should keep little ones happy By Prescott Carlson Prescott Carlson Prescott Carlson is a Chicago native who enjoys sharing insider tips about the city. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/29/19 Fact checked by Michelai Graham Fact checked by Michelai Graham Michigan State University American University Michelai Graham is a technology and business reporter who has written for The Urban Institute and Scoop News. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. TripSavvy's fact-checking TripSavvy / Cory Giguere Visiting Chicago with young kids can present a challenge. While the city showcases fantastic family-friendly hotels and some of the top attractions in the world, a three-year-old traveling companion isn't likely going to want to stare at a Seurat painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. Here are some of the best Chicago attractions for kids in the preschool and younger set. 01 of 10 Art of Dr. Seuss Gallery TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before. 835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-475-9620. 02 of 10 Chicago Children's Museum TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-3428, USA Get directions Phone +1 312-527-1000 Web Visit website Located on the ever popular Navy Pier, little kids absolutely love the Chicago Children's Museum, which offers plenty of fun, hands-on exhibits such as the Dinosaur Expedition, Kids Town and the three-floor climbing structure Climbing Schooner. Afterward, take your tot on the Pier's Centennial Wheel, the Navy Pier Carousel, or to the fountain with fun computerized jet streams in Gateway Park at the west entrance of the pier. 600 E. Grand Ave., 312-527-1000. 03 of 10 Museum of Science and Industry TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 5700 S DuSable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, USA Get directions Phone +1 773-684-1414 Web Visit website Science Attractions & Museums 4.8 While the science and engineering concepts are likely to soar over your preschoolers head, the sheer amount of interactive exhibits and sights and sounds at the Museum of Science and Industry are sure to keep your toddler entertained, especially the Idea Factory exhibit in the museum's lower level which was designed specifically with them in mind. 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414. 04 of 10 Kohl Children's Museum Courtesy of Kohl Children's Museum View Map Address 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026-8074, USA Get directions Phone +1 847-832-6600 Web Visit website Another option is the Kohl Children's Museum, located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. The museum also has plenty of interactive exhibits, as well as a two-acre nature park open in the warmer months that features climbing structures, a water wall, sensory garden, interactive sculptures and a grass maze. Permanent exhibitions include the Baby Nursery, Adventures in Art and Pet Vet. 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Ill., 847-832-6600. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Shedd Aquarium TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 1200 S DuSable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA Get directions Phone +1 312-939-2438 Web Visit website The fish and other aquatic life at the Shedd Aquarium appeal to pretty much all ages from 1 to 100, especially the regular marine mammal shows in the Abbott Oceanarium. The centerpiece of the aquarium, the Caribbean Reef is a 90,000-gallon circular tank and filled with stingrays, sharks, eels, a sea turtle and an assortment of tropical fish. A diver hand feeds the fish and answers questions (while underwater!) several times a day. 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-939-2426. 06 of 10 Legoland Discovery Center TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 601 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA Get directions Phone +1 847-592-9700 Web Visit website Is your preschooler a LEGO nut? Then head to the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg to the Legoland Discovery Center and its various LEGO-themed attractions with moving LEGO models, a LEGO build and test area and a miniature LEGO replica of the Chicago skyline. You'll also find a number of hotels in Schaumburg, which should make the trip even more tempting. 601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, Ill., 866-929-8111. 07 of 10 Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA Get directions Phone +1 773-755-5100 Web Visit website Family Attractions 4.5 The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum opened in 1999 in Lincoln Park with a clear mission: to educate the public, especially urban dwellers, on the importance of maintaining the quality of nature that surrounds us and steps to take that can help the environment. Your little ones will learn a little bit about nature and the environment that surrounds them, with a look at Chicago's waterways, an animal habitat play area, a year-round butterfly garden and more. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits that change every few months. Hotel Lincoln is nearby. 2430 N. Cannon Dr., 773-755-5100. 08 of 10 Lincoln Park Zoo TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address Chicago, IL 60614, USA Get directions Phone +1 312-742-2000 Web Visit website Family Attractions 4.6 It would be hard to find a kid that doesn't like the zoo, especially the Lincoln Park Zoo, with its historical architecture and world-class wildlife exhibits nestled among lagoons and mature trees not far from Chicago's downtown. Families traveling on a budget will appreciate the fact that the zoo is open free of charge 365 days a year. Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway, 312-742-2000. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Brookfield Zoo TripSavvy / Kathleen Messmer View Map Address 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA Get directions Phone +1 708-688-8000 Web Visit website Family Attractions 4.3 An alternative to Lincoln Park is Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo, located in the nearby western suburb of (you guessed it) Brookfield. Brookfield Zoo is spread out over 200 acres and offers larger, cage-less exhibits such as Tropic World, a massive indoor habitat with three distinct environments, filled with primates from around the globe. 1st Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, Ill., 708-688-8000. 10 of 10 TILT/360 Chicago at John Hancock Center TripSavvy / Cory Giguere View Map Address 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA Get directions Web Visit website The TILT experience at 360 CHICAGO Observation deck allows guests to experience Chicago from a new angle from an enclosed, glass-and-steel moveable platform that holds up to eight people at a time. It allows guests to experience views of the Windy City, including 360-degree views spanning four states. It also showcases unparalleled views of the lake and the city skyline as well as interactive learning opportunities. The Signature Room, located on the 95th floor, is also a Chicago staple and one-of-a-kind dining experience. 875 N. Michigan Ave., 94th Floor, 888-875-8439. Chicago's Best Beaches Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email