Family vacations always hold a different place in your heart. From moments filled with laughter to innocent fun, we all can agree that the memories we make at family-friendly attractions are special.
If you’re looking for exciting family-friendly attractions near me in Chicago while on vacation, we promise that you’re in for a ride. There is a great variety of parks, museums, movie theaters, and wildlife in the city that families may enjoy together. The number of options makes choosing what to do and where to go overwhelming. That’s why we’ve organized this list of Chicago family-friendly attractions by kind of activity. After all, not every family member is the same!
With places like Mind Trap Escape Rooms, you can create an itinerary that will be enjoyable for everyone, including children. With that in mind, here’s a list of must-visit family attractions in Chicago:
1. Shedd Aquarium
One of the top Chicago attractions for families is the Shedd Aquarium. It is a place where children will find interesting and instructive subjects, and it is jam-packed with exhibits suitable for adults. As one of the most favorite kid-friendly family fun attractions, the World’s Aquarium, for instance, you can see the most fascinating marine animals from the perspective of a diver. You can see sharks, moon jellies, beluga whales, parrotfish, and the gigantic octopus all in one panoramic view via the display windows that stretch from floor to ceiling.
The Polar Play Zone and Caribbean Reef are two other popular exhibit sections that showcase important marine environments while offering a ton of interactive fun. You can pretend to be explorers at Shedd Aquarium’s eight different displays. The good things about this family-friendly Chicago attraction aside, many visitors have complained about the rude customer service and pricey tickets. Moreover, one visitor highlighted the lack of fish on display and the aquarium not being stroller-friendly.
2. Mind Trap Escape Rooms
Who doesn’t like a bit of mystery and fun? Families and friends looking for a good time must visit Mind Trap Escape Rooms in Naperville because they don’t make ‘em like this anymore. With multiple escape rooms, you can choose the themes that interest you the most depending on the difficulty level.
This is not it. If you think that escape rooms alone might not be enough for your family outing, Mind Trap Escape Rooms offers much more. Adults can experience axe throwing for some extra adrenaline. The professionally qualified axe instructors will guide you and your friends in a variety of axe-throwing actions to ensure a safe and effective session.
Next comes the haunted house. Yes! Family-friendly haunted attractions are an all-time favorite of many families. It’s more about seeing you get more scared and who stood their ground firm! You can have it all in one place, that is, the Mind Trap Escape Rooms. So, when in Chicago, you must visit this house of entertainment.
3. Adler Planetarium
Visit the first planetarium in the United States and feel like you’re in space without ever leaving Chicago. No more searching for family friendly attractions near me because this is the place that you need to visit. Take a space adventurer role-playing with your little one at “Planet Explorers,” the museum’s most interactive and immersive exhibit to date. Also, don’t miss their most recent and thrilling sky program, “Planet Nine,” which chronicles the search for a ninth planet.
One of the three full-size theaters at the museum will host a spectacular space show. Taking a stroll out onto the north or south terraces of the Adler to take in the stunning Chicago cityscape isn’t the end of the pleasure either. The location is also perfect for taking photographs; you’ll treasure the memories of your children and family members playing here with Lake Michigan or the cityscape of Chicago as a backdrop.
While there is no doubt that it’s one of the world’s most visited family-friendly Chicago attractions, but not many visitors have been agreeing to it lately. This one visitor said that the place was very bland, and if you’re late even by a few minutes, they ask you to purchase add-ons.
4. Brookfield Zoo
Visit one of the biggest zoos in Chicagoland next from our list of kid-friendly family fun attractions and spend the day interacting with some of the most interesting and endearing animals on Earth. Your children are sure to have a blast at this 216-acre natural park, which is home to a diverse array of animals, plants, and even a carousel with an animal theme.
See the “Great Bear Wilderness,” go on the Motor Safari tram, and stop at the “Butterflies!” display. People of all ages will have a blast at the Family Play Zoo, where they can run about and play without limits. Children can engage in role-playing as zookeepers, put on a lemur costume, and create animal-themed art projects to foster their creativity.
Many visitors to this place are the ones who have been coming here since their childhood. However, they all agree that the condition of zoos and their animals has drastically worsened. You will see wounded and deprived animals that can leave you and your kids traumatized.
5. Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and Rides
Whether you’re with kids or adults, you’re sure to find something entertaining to do at Navy Pier and the nearby family-friendly attractions. You can start by wandering the pier, eating some traditional boardwalk fare, and riding the famous Ferris wheel for postcard-perfect vistas of the city. Get 4-ride admission to Navy Pier attractions, including the ever-popular Centennial Wheel, with your Go Chicago Card All-Inclusive admission.
In addition, there are swings, a carousel, and boats that can be piloted from a distance. When the city lights up at night, this becomes an even more enjoyable family activity in Chicago. While we all crave a good day out with family, it is not worth it with rude staff. Many visitors who visited Centennial complained about the staff not replying properly and misguiding them.
6. Skydeck Chicago or TILT at 360 CHICAGO
Take your family day out a step up, or up to the sky at Skydeck Chicago. The glass boxes of Willis Tower, the world’s highest structure, reach a height of almost 1,300 feet from the base of the building, some four feet below the surface.
Moreover, you can get a bird’s-eye perspective of four states as you tilt outward more than a thousand feet over the Magnificent Mile. Housed in the landmark John Hancock Building, TILT is located at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago.
The sky is the limit, and you can experience that in these attractions with your family in Chicago. However, watch out for the pricing and safety measures.
FAQs
Is Chicago worth visiting with kids?
It’s the inspiration kids find in all the things to do and see in Chicago that makes the city feel like home—if home were the ultimate playground. From toddlers to teens, there are family-friendly attractions to satisfy every interest and fuel all imaginations.
Are escape rooms safe for seniors and kids?
Absolutely. Escape rooms like Mind Trap Escape Rooms are made keeping in mind inclusivity for people of all ages. Whether you want something less haunting or high-difficulty level escape room themes, you can find it all here.
How should you prepare when going to family-friendly haunted attractions?
Take a look at the forecast and dress appropriately. If you want to be prepared in case it rains, bring an umbrella. You may not have a covered waiting area. When visiting a haunted home, it is best to avoid wearing shoes with exposed toes, sandals, or high heels.
What do I never do in a haunted house?
Actors and tourists alike are expected to adhere to strict no-touch regulations at most family-friendly haunted attractions. Actors, other visitors, and objects should not be touched for safety reasons. Always get there sober if you want to keep your emotions and behavior in check.
Is axe-throwing safe?
Axe throwing is completely risk-free. We know that it can seem scary to some, but if you’re collaborating with professionals, there’s no need to be anxious.
Visit Kid-friendly Family Fun Attractions in Chicago!
And that is all for our family friendly attractions near me list. For your family trip to Chicago, we have compiled a list of some of the best attractions and activities, with Trap Mind Escape Rooms being our favorite pick of all. A family outing is all about keeping diversity in the plan so that everyone can enjoy it equally. Escape rooms provide that. You can choose multiple themes as per the member’s liking and enjoy other activities like axe-throwing and haunted houses all in one place.
So, when planning your next trip, think about including some of these Chicago family-friendly attractions offered by Trap Mind Escape Rooms. Book now and have fun!