30 Chicago Museums for Kids to Explore

Shila said:  Learn about the history, culture, and arts of the American Indian and First Nation peoples of the USA and Canada. The museum is a nice place for families. There are interactive activities and crafts for kids in most exhibits. And visitors can hold and touch a wide range of objects and raw materials that are set up throughout the main floor galleries. Discover a wigwam, native clothing, woven arts, old photographs, and more. Families may especially enjoy the Mitchell Museum's variety of tours, special events, and weekend drop-in arts and crafts activities to theme.

Shila said:  This 6,400-square foot children's museum houses six wondrous experience zones that foster creative and imaginary play in young kids.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center offers the largest collection of holocaust artifacts in the Midwest. The museum has several exhibits including a holographic theatre where the audience can ask a hologram of an actual survivor questions. The museum has a strong anti-bullying message and the interactive, "Make A Difference" exhibit is dedicated to helping children make the right decision in tough situations. While the museum does have tough content they offer a warning before it becomes graphic.

Admission is always free at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Housed inside an 1870's mansion and set in a tranquil forest preserve alongside the Des Plaines River, the museum is a local family favorite. Children will love visiting the live animal exhibits (turtles, owls, etc), nature displays and play areas, and exploring the hiking trails surrounding the museum. The museum also regularly hosts story times and other free family friendly programming.

Kohl Children’s Museum offers more than a dozen interactive, hands-on exhibits including a play cafe to transact food orders and dine in, a pretend grocery store, a hands-on water play area, pretend veterinarian's office and more! The Adventures in Art room provides more than enough art supplies to create your own masterpieces. There is an outdoor playground area, as well as an in-house cafe restaurant.

Shila said:  The Joliet Area Historical Museum's exhibits includes classic Route 66 memorabilia and a step-in Lunar Lander Simulator. This state-of-the-art Apollo Exhibit, a favorite for kids, celebrates the historic 1969 moon landing and honors former Joliet resident, Dr. John C. Houbolt. There are on occasion Family Days with fun scavenger hunts or other holiday celebrations.

The Museums at Lisle Station Park provide visitors the opportunity to learn about the heritage and culture of 19th-century Northern Illinois. Schedule a tour and check out an old railroad caboose, the depot station, the old tavern, the blacksmith shop, and the farmhouse. Adults can attend workshops to learn about blacksmithing, and free family-friendly programming is offered throughout the year.

Always free admission

Kristy Pepping said:  DuPage Children's Museum has three floors of interactive exhibits, drop-in story times and kid-friendly programming, and fun Learning Labs. Favorite exhibits include: Creativity Connections for sensory play, Make A Move to learn about energy and motion, and Build It with real materials and tools. Of course there are plenty more exhibits for playing and discovering math connections, art, music, and theatre.

Naper Settlement is a 19th century outdoor living history museum featuring 12 acres of learning and interactive family-friendly opportunities. Above that, Naper Settlement has a wooden fort-inspired playscape out back that features a trading post, sensory prairie garden, a playground, picnic tables and a seasonal splash pad with water cannons and ground water jets. Naper Settlement is steps away from dining, shopping and the Naperville Riverwalk.

Kristy Pepping said:  The Aurora Regional Fire Museum features a few interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain children, families and firefighters. The museum includes artifacts like badges, helmets, nozzles, axes, ladders, fire alarm equipment and toy fire engines. Exhibits like, "Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued," trace the evolution of the tools and technology used by firefighters.

Sarah D. said:  Volo Auto Museum is an all out adventure for any kid. In addition to an array of automotive exhibits, sure to thrill gear heads of all ages, the museum also has specifically designed, child-friendly activities and specific "Cars for Kids" exhibits. This is a must-see museum for any enthusiast of things that go!

Blackberry Farm is a part of Fox Valley Park District's living-history museum. The Adventure Playground looks like an old farming community with climbing deck, rope tunnels, zip line, bridges and tons of slides. In addition to the incredible playground, admission to Blackberry Farm includes access to its historical sites, rides and attractions, including the Discovery Barn, train, hay wagon, paddle boats, carousel and ponies.

May-September

Kristy Pepping said:  Air Classics is an aviation museum located at Aurora Municipal Airport where the aircraft actually fly. You can sit in an A-7 that flew in the Gulf War and climb into the pilot's seat of a UH-1 Huey helicopter. The museum's collection includes aircraft, vehicles, uniforms and other aviation memorabilia from the 1930s to the present time.

April-November

Do you have little ones that can't get enough of their train table, or watching the trains pass by? If so the Illinois Railway Museum is a perfect place to spend the day. They have collections of vintage rail cars and modern subway cars. Exhibits are outdoors and in hangar style facilities and the best part is you can touch and climb aboard most of the cars and engines. Pack a lunch or eat at the onsite diner, but make sure you enjoy the 25 minute train ride before you leave! This is the venue for the annual Days Out With Thomas.

April-September

Shila said:  Discovery Center Museum is a hands-on children's science museum with more than 300 interactive exhibits and a full calendar of special events. Discover the human body, forms of electricity, the science of sports, space travel and planetarium shows, tornadoes in Wild Weather, encase yourself in a giant bubble, and more!

Out back, Rock River Discovery Park is a destination-worthy playground and science park featuring a dinosaur dig pit, a maze, an 8-foot water wheel, and a Secret Garden.