12 Best Family Attractions in Illinois: Fun Activities for Kids
The magnificent assortment of attractions in Illinois, the heart of America, captivates families.
The Prairie State will fascinate your tribe in a variety of ways, from Chicago’s skyscraping grandeur to undervalued state parks.
And did you know that the state offers a number of beautiful beaches?
Check out our recommended fun activities to do in Illinois with kids for a memorable vacation with the family.
- Observation Deck 360 Chicago — Chicago
The 360 Chicago Observation Deck is the best site to see Chicago’s stunning skyline.
This observation platform, perched over 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile, provides breathtaking views of Chicago’s lakefront.
Furthermore, the terrace offers breathtaking views of the city’s gorgeous cityscape as well as four surrounding states.
In fact, from this vantage point, you can see some of the greatest family hotels in Illinois.
Bottom of the Form
As an added benefit, this attraction provides access to the quickest elevators in North America.
Ages Supplied
For children aged 6 and up, the 360 Chicago Observation Deck provides an exhilarating and unique experience.
- Starved Rock State Park- Oglesby
Starved Rock State Park is a wonderful retreat, especially for families that enjoy being outside.
The park provides many options for outdoor excursions with its breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, and canyons.
You can take your kid’s hiking and other inexpensive and free activities at Starved Rock State Park.
Even better, the park offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, like animal interactions.
Amazing outdoor activities for kids of all ages may be found at Starved Rock State Park.
- Gurnee’s Six Flags Great America
The best family vacations in Illinois usually include a trip to Six Flags Great America.
With its kid-friendly attractions and powerful heart-racing thrill rides, this amusement park provides hours of entertainment for everyone in your group.
What’s more, guess what?
Six Flags also has a refreshing waterpark for people who need a break from the amusement park rides.
Six Flags is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting family-friendly attractions in Illinois.
It is, in fact, appropriate for children of all ages.
- Chicago River Architecture Tour
What You’ll Go Through
Take a river trip to experience Chicago’s beautiful and sparkling buildings from a different angle.
The Tribune Tower, Marina City, and the Willis Tower are just a few of the prominent Chicago monuments that you will see on this 75-minute tour.
The live commentary on tour is much better because it provides priceless insights into the captivating history of the city.
suggested ages
Children 3 and older can participate in the Chicago River architectural cruise.
- Illinois Beach State Park in Zion
Typically, Illinois conjures up thoughts of the sprawling cornfields and soaring skyscrapers of Chicago.
Amazingly, though, the state also boasts a number of gorgeous lake beaches.
And Illinois Beach State Park is our favorite beach in our state.
This park is the only beach in the state with a ridge beachfront and is renowned for its natural beauty.
This state park is excellent for swimming and sunbathing, just like the majority of the top family beaches in Illinois.
The 4,160-acre park also features pathways that lead to marshes and a variety of flora and fauna.
Kids of all ages will enjoy the scenery and activities at Illinois Beach State Park.
- Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee, Illinois
Looking for fun activities for kids to do in the rain?
I recommend that you go to Great Wolf Lodge.
No matter the weather, your family will have fun at this indoor waterpark’s dump buckets, inflatables, water slides, and play zones.
The lodge also features rope courses, rock climbing, bowling, and a mini golf course in addition to the splashy fun.
Did we also mention that it’s one of Illinois’ top family resorts?
All ages will enjoy visiting Great Wolf Lodge.
Some parents even rank Great Wolf Lodge first on their list of family-friendly activities in Illinois for toddlers and young children.
- Santa’s Village Aquatic Park in East Dundee
Children will find many captivating attractions and enjoyable locations at Santa’s Village.
It has a zoo, a waterpark, and a theme park addition to that.
This complex features a wide variety of engaging attractions for teenagers, children, and even adults, including endless pony rides and heart-racing thrills.
All ages of visitors can enjoy the rides and attractions at Santa’s Village AZoosment Park.
- The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is the ideal location for a creative adventure with the whole crew, thanks to its engaging kid-approved exhibits.
Discover some inspiration by visiting exhibits, venues, and events that spark your imagination and creativity.
Visit the Family Room to create your own works of art.
You can also participate in family festivals and activities with an exhibition theme that the institute sponsors.
Children of all ages should visit the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Peoria Zoo
Are you taking a trip with animal lovers and looking for kid-friendly destinations nearby?
You and your crew will have a great time at the Peoria Zoo; I guarantee it.
This wildlife refuge, which is home to over 100 different animal species from throughout the globe, is teeming with happy and adorable animals.
Find the magnificent Africa Lion and the elephant shrew, and keep an eye on the mole rates.
There are also crustaceans, amphibians, and stunning birds like the hawk, emu, and laughing kookaburra.
The zoo is also a great educational experience for kids, which is the finest part.
For kids 3 and older, the Peoria Zoo is a fantastic experience.
- Discovery Centre Museum, Rockford
The Discovery Centre Museum must be included on any list of the top family-friendly Illinois attractions.
The museum offers a world of creativity, exploration, play, and fun with more than 300 educational hands-on exhibits.
The museum has exhibits and activities that help your kids develop their reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Similar to this, the museum conducts enjoyable events, special programs, and touring exhibitions all year round.
Children ages 12 and younger can enjoy a variety of activities and informative exhibits at the Discovery Centre Museum.
- Illinois Railway Museum- Olson
This treasure trove is, without a doubt, America’s greatest train museum, with more than 100 acres of interesting displays.
Numerous old railways and buildings can be seen here, including the 1851 East Union Depot and the Schroeder Mercantile Store.
The horse-drawn streetcars and locomotives are great for kids to explore.
And to top it all off, the museum provides all of its guests with exciting rides on actual trains.
For children of all ages, the Illinois Railway Museum delivers a fascinating and instructive experience.
- A tour of Chicago’s restaurants.
Want to take the kids somewhere special in Illinois?
Why not add the Chicago cuisine sampling tour to your list of family-friendly activities in Illinois?
This trip, led by a knowledgeable guide, allows you to see some of the city’s well-known landmarks, including the fabled Bean and Millennium Park.
Naturally, this tour will satiate your palate with a variety of delectable gastronomic treats.
The traditional Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dog, and deep-dish pizza are among our favorites on this tour.
Children ages 3 and older are welcome on the Chicago cuisine-tasting tour.
