The Land Before Time: How to Do Chicago's Field Museum with Kids
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
When Chicagoans list their favorite and most iconic museums, The Field Museum of Natural History is often among the top choices. It’s also one of the museums that’s been here the longest, after officially being incorporated as a museum in 1893 after it served as an exhibit hall in the Columbian Exposition. Chicago parents returning to the museum will recognize many of the exhibits they saw as kids. But The Field also hosts a series of rotating exhibits, including one that turned out to be my kids’ favorite. “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Jane Goodall” sparked an interest in both animals and stories about powerful women for my daughter.
We had planned to visit The Field Museum in the first half of 2020, but shortly after our visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in February, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the city, and the world. We visited just as the city was reopening in June 2021, and some changes from the pandemic are still around. Plan on wearing a mask, using a digital map on your phone or one posted on the walls of the museum, and buying your ticket in advance. The museum has also placed hand sanitizers throughout its building to help people keep clean. And if you have a preschooler or toddler, you’re going to need it because of the buttons. They’re going to want to push Every. Single. Button.
We loved going to see some old favorites for us, and finding some new gems with our little ones. Here’s what we think are the best parts of The Field Museum for kids. And if you like this article, don't forget to check out our other recommendations for museums.
If you're staying in town and plan to visit multiple attractions in the Chicago area (we’re looking at you, people with visiting relatives you’ll be squiring around town), it’s worth it to look into a Go City - Chicago sightseeing pass to save money on entrance fees to attractions like the Navy Pier, Field Museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium.
