Of course, you can always check our events calendar to find the best things going on this week—and check the free tag under categories to find activities that don't cost money! Or subscribe to receive updates weekly. 

100 Free Things to Do with Kids in Chicago

What Are the Best Free Things to Do in Chicago with Kids?

1. The Art Institute of Chicago

The institute is always free for kids under 14, but it's also free weekdays from the end of winter break through spring break. See some of the classics you've learned about in art class, like Sunday on the Grand Jatte and Monet's Water Lilies. The Ryan Family Center is always free and open to the public, and it's a great place to start your Art Institute adventure by deciding what you want to see most in this behemoth museum.

2. The Field Museum 

The museum is free every Wednesday for Illinois residents. See Sue, the world's most complete T-Rex skeleton, explore ancient cultures, and visit the rotating exhibits. Check out our tips for visiting the museum with kids here.

3. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

The museum has at least two free days most months. Check the museum's website for more details and see our favorite things to do here. If there's a paid exhibit you have always wanted to see, use the free day as a chance to spend money on that exhibit. Make sure you don't miss the chicks hatching in the Genetics exhibit or the giant model of trains transversing America.

4. Adler Planetarium

The museum is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. See the stars and planets and learn about what it's like to be an astronaut traveling to the moon (or maybe beyond.) You can see the whole planetarium in these limited free hours, and there's something to do for learners of all ages.

5. Chicago History Museum

The museum is free on many days of the year, including Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day. Check the website for full details and see what we like to do there in our review. Give your kids the chance to see themselves as a Chicago-style hot dog!

6. Lincoln Park Zoo

There's only a handful of free zoos left in America, and one of them is Chicago's own Lincoln Park Zoo. We love seeing the lions and the gorillas, and the Children's Zoo is amazing for kids who need to get some energy out.

7.  Brookfield Zoo Chicago

The suburbs have their own zoo, too. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is free Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the first three months of the year. The zoo is currently undergoing major renovations for its 90th anniversary. The recently opened Bramsen Tropical Forest is great for seeing primates up close.

8. Garfield Park Conservatory

Check out some greenery off the Green Line: The Garfield Park Conservatory is always free. We let you know how to visit with kids. You can also check this out later in 2026, when renovations to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Garden may be finished.

9. Millennium Park

Visit Millennium Park to see The Bean and make a splash in the Crown Fountain. There's even ice skating in the winter!

Make a splash at the Crown Fountain. Photo courtesy of the Millenium Park Foundation

10. Maggie Daley Park

After Millenium Park, walk over to Maggie Daley Park. Its magnificent playground (one of the best for toddlers) and skating ribbon wow families in all seasons.

11. Shedd Aquarium

Tuesday evenings are free for the first half of the year at the Shedd Aquarium. Select full days in January and February are also free for Illinois residents. Make sure you make it downstairs to see the reef exhibit and the penguins!

Enjoy an animal encounter at the Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Free Outdoor Fun for Chicago Kids

12. The 606

Take the kids on a tour of the Bloomingdale Trail, aka the 606. The 2.7-mile former train track has playgrounds and events from astronomy to yoga.

13.  Lakefront Trail

Take a walk along Lakefront Trail. Traverse 18 miles from north to south on foot, on a bike, or even on rollerblades. You can stop along the way at the city's various beaches, at Buckingham Fountain, or in the Museum Campus.

14. Parkway Bank Park

See all Rosemont has to offer at Parkway Bank Park, including an ice rink in the winter, free concerts in the summer, and festivals all year round.

15. Watch a Waterfall

Take in more of nature's beauty at Waterfall Glen or Lake Katherine. You can also venture farther afield to see several waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park.

16. Northerly Island

Explore Northerly Island during all four seasons. It has a beach in the summer, hiking in the spring and fall, and you can cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter.

17. Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park

Walk among the outdoor art at Skokie North Shore Sculpture Park, or take a free public guided tour from May through October.

18. Oz Park

Follow the yellow brick road to Oz Park to see gardens, statues, and a playground inspired by the movie. The playground has recently been renovated, and Wicked-obsessed kids may like taking pictures with Dorothy, The Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow.

19. Bison's Bluff Nature Playground

The playground in Schaumburg is free from November through March. You can also visit the indoor nature center nearby, or go for a hike around the forest preserve. 

20. Holstein Pool

Go for a swim at Holstein Pool—it even has a separate kiddie pool. Once you get out, you can visit the playground with spray features.

21. Free Concerts

Listen to some music at a free concert in one of Chicago's parks. The Night Out in the Parks program offers lots of chances to see all kinds of music in nearly every neighborhood.

22. Beaches of Lake Michigan

Swim in Lake Michigan at one of our favorite beaches. The Chicago coastline stretches from Foster Beach to Rainbow Beach, with lots of favorites in between. Gauge your level of crowd tolerance to find the best one for your family.

23. North Park Village Nature Center

You don't have to leave the city to play in nature. North Park Village Nature Center has 58 acres of hiking, a discovery room, a hands-on table of natural objects, and interactive displays.

24. Gallagher Way

Visit Gallagher Way for free events, including movies near Wrigley Field or theme days with activities ranging from music to sports to environmentalism.

Enjoy four seasons worth of free events at Gallagher Way. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

25. Buckingham Fountain

Watch in awe as the Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain lights up on a summer evening. There's a special event to turn on the fountain in May every year.

26. Trailside Museum of Natural History

Learn about nature, walk through the woods, and participate in plenty of free activities at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Look for story walks and activities where kids can learn about local wildlife. 

Free Indoor Things to Do With Kids in Chicago

27. Thomas Hughes Children's Library

Everyone from toddlers through tweens can enjoy the Thomas Hughes Children's Library at Harold Washington Library in the Loop.  There's plenty of story times, movie screenings, drop-in crafts and soft play areas for little kids, plus hang out space and media tech for tweens and teens.

28. Women and Children First

Watch an author read his or her book or enjoy a story time or kids book club at this Andersonville book store. The feminist shop has a selection of curated, inclusive books for families looking for a different kind of venue.

29. Gurnee Mills

Climb on the giant hot dog in the Gurnee Mills mall play area. Use it as a break from shopping, or a destination for a cold or rainy day.

30. Visit a local toy store with a play area

Play in a local toy store such as Building Blocks in Lakeview or Wicker Park, Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square, or My Special Toy Store in Downers Grove.

31. LEGO Store

It's bricktacular: You can play without buying anything at the LEGO Store in Water Tower Place. There's interactive ways to create your own set and browse the latest brick treasures. 

32. The American Girl Store

We all know American Girl dolls are expensive, but you can browse The American Girl Store, also in Water Tower, for free. It has free events such as book signings and trick-or-treating at Halloween, and many other events under $15.

33. Lincoln Park Conservatory

Supplement your trip to Lincoln Park Zoo by learning about plants at Lincoln Park Conservatory. It's free with a suggested donation, and makes a great place to get out of the cold during the winter. Shows change seasonally, so there will be new flowers the next time you go.

34. Navy Pier

Stroll along Navy Pier. You'll often find art exhibits, free music and dance performances, or other family-friendly activities going on up to a half-mile into the lake.

35. Wildwood Nature Center

Visit the animals in the recently reopened Wildwood Nature Center in Park Ridge. It also has a nice hike around two ponds on its 5-acre site.

36.  Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Take part in a free discovery day at the nature center in Naperville. You can also take a nature discovery kit and explore the nature center and surrounding park on your own.

Free Events, Fairs, and Festivals in Chicago

37. Support the Athletes at the Chicago Marathon or Chicago Triathlon 

Watch the Chicago Marathon in October or the Chicago Triathlon in August. The Chicago Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors, and sometimes, you'll get to see someone set a new record!

38. Children's Theater

The Goodman Theater offers free performances of plays for kids ages 0-5 each summer. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre also hosts Shakespeare in the Parks each summer.

39. Holiday Carols

Sing some carols next to the Bean on Fridays in December. This free event has been going on for years and often features professional musicians leading the tune!

40. Free Neighborhood Tour

Take in the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival's Free Neighborhood Tour in January. This features lots of fun puppetry in arts centers, apartment complexes or other places that may not always be able to enjoy such a fun and quirky exhibition.

41. Grant Park Music Festival

Find a free seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion for Grant Park Music Festival. Premium seats are paid, but you can sit in the back or on the lawn for free. World class classical musicians play every week, and there's usually a patriotic theme around July 4th.

Grant Park Music Festival photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

42. Sundays on State

Stroll down "that great street" when the Chicago Loop Alliance closes down State Street for a festival on select Sundays during the late summer or early fall.

43. Printers Row Lit Fest

Meet your favorite authors and browse through books at this literary festival, held each September. Some used book sellers may even have freebies or extremely cheap books to unload.

44. German-American Fest

Music and dancing are free at the late-summer German-American Fest in Lincoln Square. Food, drink, and games are available for a fee.

45. Chicago Air and Water Show

Find a spot along the lake shore downtown or on the near north side to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show in August. Views are best from the beach, or find a friend with a rooftop terrace in River North or Old Town

46. Make Music Chicago Day

Make some sweet sounds in Chicago for free at various locations on June 21. Check the event's website to find a location near you that's best for your age of kids.

47. Chalk the Street

Chalk up Howard Street in Rogers Park in August for free. Professional chalk artists bring extra fun to this event.

48. Parades

From Lunar New Year to St. Patrick's Day, to Halloween and Thanksgiving, you can find a parade in the city or suburbs. There are also parades celebrating different cultures like Polish Constitution Day Parade and Columbus Day, honoring Italian Americans.

49. Kidical Mass

Take part in a free Kidical Mass bike ride. They take place monthly in many Chicago neighborhoods throughout the spring, summer, and fall. You can even ride with a bike trailer for kids who aren't big enough to pedal on their own yet!

Free Arts, Culture, and Learning Activities

50. Chicago Cultural Center

The Center is always free. See some great architecture, art, music, and more within walking distance of Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile. Check for family-forward art exhibits and lunchtime concerts for kids during the summer months.

Experience art, music, historic architecture, and more at the Chicago Cultural Center. Photo by Patrick Emerson via Flickr

51. National Museum of Mexican Art

More art, but now from south of the border: The National Museum of Mexican Art is always free for everybody. There's usually fun programs for kids of different ages and different times of the week, and the exhibits change, so you'll see something different if you go a few months apart.

52. Newberry Library

Newberry is a noncirculating library featuring rare and historical books and exhibits. It's always free to the public. In addition to the books, there's exhibits on literary themse like maps, taking books from print to digital, and more.

53. National Puerto Rican Museum 

Learn about another culture at the National Puerto Rican Museum in Humboldt Park. It's always free. Download a lesson guide from the museum's website to seet the most appropriate artwork for your kid.

54.  Swedish American Museum

The Andersonville museum has free admission days on the first Tuesday of each month. The Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration has plenty of interesting information for young people.

55. Ukrainan Institute of Modern Art

Visit the Ukrainan Institute of Modern Art for a donation-based art experience. Enjoy events like artist talks and concerts on select dates.

56. DuSable Museum of African American History

This one-of-a-kind art and culture museum is free to Illinois public school students in grades K-12 and adults can get a free pass with their library card. Anyone can visit for free on Wednesdays. Check for special events during Black History Month and on Juneteenth.

57. Hyde Park Art Center 

This home of creativity and community is always free and features free programming related to current exhibits. Monthly family days are free and help kids epand their creativity. 

58. Poetry Foundation

Roses are red, violets are blue, the Poetry Foundation is free for me and you. Enjoy poetry readings with Chicago's Poet Laureate, and see poetry related exhibits.

Free Seasonal Activities for Chicago Kids

Winter Activities for Chicago Kids

59. Go sleeding at Mount Bridgeport

Enjoy a winter day of sledding at Mount Bridgeport. It's been a coral reef, a quarry, and a landfill, and now it's the perfect place to go speeding down the hill in winter!

60. Winter Wonderland Skating Rink

This Orland Park rink is free, with a very low $3 skate rental rate for first timers or non-skate owners. The warming house is open on weekend and holidays and every day after school.

61. Ice Skating at McCormick Millennium Park

Glide along the ice at McCormick Millennium Park skating rink, where admission is free. Chicago Park District also offers several free skating rinks when the weather drops below freezing. We like Warren Park in Rogers Park.

Enjoy a free skate at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Photo courtesy of the rink

62. Holiday Windows

Visit the animated windows at Macy's during the holiday season. They change every few years, and you can sometimes go inside to see vintage or retired displays on the seventh floor.

Free Things to Do in Spring with Chicago Kids

63. Klein Creek Farm

Visit West Chicago's Klein Creek Farm to see what life was like in the area in the 1890s. We like going in the spring to see how maple syrup is made and also because there's nothing cuter than baby farm animals!

64. St. Patrick's Day

Celebrate Irish culture and watch as the Chicago River is dyed green in March. There are events across the city throughout March to celebrate. Look for music, dancing, and more at the Irish American Cultural Center, Mrs. Murphy & Sons, or Gaelic Park.

65. Lilac Time at Lilacia Park

Visit Lilacia Park in Lombard for Lilac Time in the spring. The two-week festival features blooms, a parade, concerts, a 5k and Mutt Strut, and even a Lilac Queen.

Free Things to Do in Summer with Chicago Kids

66. Green City Market

Visit Green City Market in Lincoln Park for some free or low-price produce. There's often a concert or a demonstration to watch, and you can play in the park, visit the zoo, or do one of the other fun things to do in Lincoln Park.

67. Fireworks at Navy Pier

Navy Pier sets off fireworks every Saturday during the summer, on July 4 and New Year's Eve, and on select other holidays. Find a spot downtown near the lakefront after dinner for the best views.

68. SummerDance Chicago

Learn to dance in one of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods at SummerDance Chicago. Families can finish the summer with a bigger dance in Grant Park.

Bust a move at SummerDance Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

69. Palmer Pool

Take a ride down one of the three free water slides in Palmer Pool. It's one of dozens of free public pools in Chicago.

70. Outdoor Movies

See a free outdoor movie in one of Chicago's parks during the summer. They take place in dozens of neighborhood parks most days of summer. We like the ones in Grant Park, but the best place to go is always your own neighborhood!

71. Spraygrounds

Get wet and wild at one of the free splash pads located throughout the city. The big daddy of them all is Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. Go at off peak hours to avoid crowds.

72. Humboldt Park Lagoon

Enjoy a dip in Chicago's only inland beach. This manmade beach is less intimidating than swimming in Lake Michigan, and there hasn't been an alligator sightings for several years. 

Free Things to Do in Fall with Chicago Kids

73. Open House Chicago

Tour one of Chicago's hidden architectural gems at the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Open House Chicago event in October. The lineup of buildings changes every year, but you'll always find something amazing to enjoy. 

74. Graceland Cemetery

See if you can find any famous Chicagoans buried in Graceland Cemetary. It's a great place to tour just before Halloween, if you want something a little spooky! Look for free tours.

75. 'Go Run

Register for a 'Go Run. These free one-mile or 5K races are a partnership between Chicago Park District and Chicago Area Runners Assocation and they run March through November.

Go Run photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District & Chicago Area Runners Association

Top Free Things to Do with Toddlers

76. HelloBaby

One of Chicago's best indoor play places is free! HelloBaby on the South Side features music classes and story times with a reservation. There's always some kind of programming going on here!

77. Anderson's Bookshops

Hang out in these book stores in Naperville or Downers Grove. There are lots of fun books to check out, and authors frequently visit to sign and/or read books. The stores also have toys and train tables to try out with your littlest readers.

78. PLAY at Yorktown Center

This kid-friendly space has a climbing structure, Duplo tables, and sensory exhibits for young kids. You can also check out the mall's fountain, which sometimes has games nearby.

79. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The museum offers Donation Days on select days throughout 2026: You pay what you can or want to pay. Be sure to visit the butterfly haven at 2pm to see the newly emerged butterflies being released.

80. Sensory Garden Playground

This race horse-themed playground in west suburban Lisle integrates sensory-friendly equipment and a garden. It's being developed in phases, so look for more to come throughout the years.

81. Chicago Women's Park and Gardens

Visit free indoor and outdoor play spaces and learn about the contributions of a variety of Chicago women at Chicago Women's Park and Gardens. 

Top Free Things to Do with Tweens and Teens

82. Museum of Contemporary Art

Find a new favorite piece of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Those under 18 are always free, and all Illinois resident are free on Tuesdays. Check out free Family Saturdays the second Saturday of the month October through May. Tweens and teens may find something new and trendy to love here.

83. Skate at Grant Park Skate Park

Get some air time at Grant Park's new skate park. This cool modern park has amazing views of the city skyline.

84. Chicago Pedway

Wind your way through Chicago's underground by using the Chicago Pedway. You can visit several Chicago insitututions, like Macy's State Street, Daley Plaza, and the Chicago Cultural Center without even going outside. Plus, grab a bite to eat or go shopping under Block 37.

85. Self-Guided Public Art Tour

See more art, from Picasso to Chagall and Calder, without entering a building in a self-guided public art tour of the Loop.

86.  Volunteer

Cultivate your kids' sense of citizenship by helping out at a food pantry or toy drive. We have enjoy Feed Our Starving Children and Bernie's Book Bank.

Hidden Gems and Weird Free Things to Do

87. Chinatown Branch Library

Hear a story in two languages at the Chinatown Branch Library. The branch opened in 2015 and has a living roof, a feng shui inspired interior, and immigration inspired artwork.

Chicago's Chinatown Branch Library is a multicultural haven. Photo by Emily via Flickr

88. Holy Name Cathedral

Take a self-guided tour of Holy Name Cathedral, an architectural gem among Chicago churches. There's also guided tours on Saturdays if you make reservations in advance.

89. Smart Museum of Art

The University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art is always free and features Saturday family events highlighting the museum's current exhibits. Rotating exhibits mean there's always something new and interesting to see.

90. Jane Addams Hull House Museum

Learn about Jane Addams, the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and her work with immigrants at the Jane Addams-Hull House Museum. The museum is free with a suggested donation of $5.

91. Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

The University of Chicago's recently renamed Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures has suggested donations of up to $10 for individuals. Learn about ancient cultures, West Africa, and North Asia.

92. Money Museum

This museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is free to walk-in visitors. See what a million bucks looks like, and learn how to detect fake money.

93. Mindworks: The Science of Thinking

The University of Chicago's Mindworks: The Science of Thinking features interactive exhibits downtown. It's always free and reseservations are recommended. Your answers become part of research for the university!

94. Design Museum of Chicago

Explore all aspects of design, from architecture to street art at this museum, which is free and open to the public daily.

95. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Learn about lapidary art at the Lizzadro Museum on free Wednesdays in Oak Brook. Lapidary art is making things out of stone, so you'll find a wide variety of weird little things made out of rocks here, from a fried egg to a fairy castle.

96. Walkie Talkies

Download an episode of Chicago Children's Theater's Walkie Talkies and let it guide you through one of Chicago's neighborhoods. These have been added to since the pandemic, so if you tried one before, check it out again to see if there's something new.

97. Greeter Tours

Explore one of Chicago's historic neighborhoods with a local from Chicago Greeter. This is a great way to explore a new area if you might be considering a move, or just to get out of your regular routine.

98. Obama Presidential Library

Check out the progress of the construction of the Obama Presidential Library and the Japanese Gardens and Wooded Island in Jackson Park. The Obama Presidential Center will open to the public in 2026, and will include several spaces that will be free to the public, including a Chicago Public Library and a public plaza

99. Art on the Mart

Stop on Wacker Drive across the Chicago River from the Merchandise Mart to see Art on the Mart—images from local artists projected onto one of the largest horizontal buildings in the country. Art changes about every three months, and times change depending on the sunset time.

100. River Walks

Stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk or the Naperville Riverwalk to see people, public art, and aquatic life in each city's downtown. 

Free Fun for Kids in Chicago FAQ

What are the best free family activities in Chicago?

Parks, museums with free admission, outdoor concerts, and cultural events offer plenty of no-cost family fun across Chicago. I'm still always amazed that Lincoln Park Zoo is free, especially because there have been some great upgrades recently. I also enjoy Garfield Park Conservatory, which is undergoing renovations of its own. Chicago is also full of great libraries. We like Harold Washington, Sulzer Region, and Chinatown, and the Obama Presidential Library will add a new library branch of its own. If you need to get your kids outside, look for cool Chicago parks like Oz Park and Maggie Daley Park. There's even free ice skating at several parks during the winter.

What can kids do for free on weekends in Chicago?

Check the Chicago Park District website for free events almost every day. You can find a story time at your local public library most weekends as well. Cook County and DuPage County both have great forest preserve districts for kids who enjoy nature themed events and learning. And look into programming at the Chicago Cultural Center or from DCASE, the Department of Cultural and Special Events.

Are there free museums or attractions for kids in Chicago?

Yes! Many museums have free admission days or ongoing free exhibits. We have a whole list of great museums with free days, and you can visit the Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum or the Smart Museum of Art for free at any time.

What are some free things to do in Chicago with toddlers?

A: Storytimes, splash pads, indoor playgrounds, and nature walks are all toddler-friendly and free. We have a list of free indoor play spaces for toddlers. Make sure you don't miss HelloBaby, the free baby and toddler play space in Woodlawn, or Harold Washington Library's kids space.

What’s the best time to visit free attractions in Chicago?

If you can find a weekday to get to one of these places, that's usually best. Museum free days are usually crowded, so try to go early to get good parking, or at the lull after lunch when the first round of people are leaving. Chicago weather is also notorious for being unreliable, so if you can pick a day with less-than-ideal but good enough weather, you'll find fewer crowds and an easier time moving around.