Museums and Zoos

Chicagoland is rich with world-class museums and zoos, as well as smaller locations beloved by local families! Explore all that our area has to offer with museums and zoos for kids.

Museum, Zoo, and Other Chicagoland Memberships for Kids that Unlock Unlimited Fun

Family memberships can help you make the most of all the incredible kid-friendly attractions we have in Chicagoland. From museums and zoos to nature parks and active adventure parks, we…

Child looking over a fence at a giraffe at the Brookfield Zoo, part of the Museum Adventure Pass program.

Unlock Deals and Discounts on Popular Chicago Attractions When You Grab a Museum Adventure Pass!

Have you heard of the Museum Adventure Pass? The Museum Adventure Pass offers a number of discounts, deals, and sometimes even free passes to some of our favorite museums and…

All the 2026 Free Museum Days Chicago and the Suburbs Have to Offer

Free museum days in Chicago?! Yes, please! Our visits to museums and zoos are core memory-makers for our children, especially when they involve a trip to the city. After marveling…

Children’s Programming at Elk Grove Historical Museum is a Blast from the Past

Looking for something a little different to try with your kiddos? Whether your kids are a proclaimed historians or not, Elk Grove Historical Museum has a series of Curious Kid’s…

New Experiences at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Bramsen Tropical Forests + Moon Jellies

Our family has been going to Brookfield Zoo Chicago for years, both with a membership and without. We live about 10 minutes from the zoo, so we’ve had tons of…

Places to See Dinosaurs: Museums, Attractions, and Events to Delight Your Dino-Loving Kids

T. rex, Stegasaurus, and Triceratops… check out these Dino-mite places that bring the prehistoric back to life. My son is fascinated by the giant world of dinosaurs and we love…

Did You Know That Fermilab in Batavia Has Hands-On Exhibits for All Ages?

We have a world-renowned particle physics and accelerator laboratory located in the western suburbs of Chicago! Opening in 1969, Fermilab in Batavia spans over 6,800 acres, and is home to…

Insider Guide! Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora

The Phillips Park Zoo is located at the center of Phillips Park in Aurora. This little zoo has great animal exhibits, a free splash-pad and two separate playground areas. Read…

Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen at The Chicago Children’s Museum

The Chicago Children’s Museum recently hosted an opening for their newest exhibit – Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen and my family had the wonderful opportunity to take a…

Lords Park in Elgin Combines a Museum, Zoo, Aquatic Center, and More in One Fun Place

Lords Park in Elgin is a hub of family-friendly fun in the northwest suburbs. With the Elgin Public Museum, Lords Park Zoo, Lords Park Aquatic Center, as well as sports…

Bubble Works Outdoor Festival at Wonder Works Children’s Museum

For the third year in a row, Wonder Works Children’s Museum is hosting Bubble Works, an outdoor festival celebrating the magic and science of bubbles. It’s a bubble wonderland where your…

Tips for Taking Kids to Adler Planetarium in Chicago + ‘Niyah and the Multiverse’ Opening February 17

Before I tell you all about the Adler Planetarium, you need to understand that my kids are… shall we say… big into space. Our fridge is covered in drawings of…

Museums and Zoos

Museum, Zoo, and Other Chicagoland Memberships for Kids that Unlock Unlimited Fun

Unlock Deals and Discounts on Popular Chicago Attractions When You Grab a Museum Adventure Pass!

All the 2026 Free Museum Days Chicago and the Suburbs Have to Offer

Children’s Programming at Elk Grove Historical Museum is a Blast from the Past

New Experiences at Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Bramsen Tropical Forests + Moon Jellies

Places to See Dinosaurs: Museums, Attractions, and Events to Delight Your Dino-Loving Kids

Did You Know That Fermilab in Batavia Has Hands-On Exhibits for All Ages?

Insider Guide! Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora

Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen at The Chicago Children’s Museum

Lords Park in Elgin Combines a Museum, Zoo, Aquatic Center, and More in One Fun Place

Bubble Works Outdoor Festival at Wonder Works Children’s Museum

Tips for Taking Kids to Adler Planetarium in Chicago + ‘Niyah and the Multiverse’ Opening February 17

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