New exhibits and immersive experiences are always popping up in the Chicagoland area. As if we need more reasons to love our trips to spots like the Field Museum or the Museum of Science and Industry, they’re constantly adding exciting exhibits to explore!
These new immersive experiences often operate as pop-up museums and are filled with opportunities to dive (sometimes literally!) into slime, sprinkles, and all of your favorite things.
Some experiences have seen great success and extend past their intended deadline, while others wrap up right on schedule. The Kidlist team keeps this list updated as we receive details and attend previews, so bookmark this link and check back, too.
Immersive Experiences in Chicago and the Suburbs
Wondra
Opens November 6, 2025
Located at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Wondra is a colorful, nature-themed walkthrough with light-up floors, glowing flowers, and a big ball pit that younger kids enjoy. It’s visually stunning and the ball pit is the biggest hit for younger kids! If you’re looking for photos + ambiance, this fits that vibe. If you want a longer, hands-on play experience, plan on pairing it with other stops at the mall. Get tickets here.
Balloon Museum
October 30, 2025 through April 6, 2026
EmotionAir has arrived in Chicago. This immersive installation uses large-scale inflatable art to guide you through a series of emotional environments, from bright and playful to quiet and introspective, encouraging visitors to explore, feel, and reflect along the way. It mixes contemporary art with play, with exhibits around the world. It was also featured in Emily in Paris. Read more about what you’ll see in Annie’s review.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
October 3, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest is a captivating experience for Harry Potter fans of all ages. This outdoor trail is illuminated by dazzling lights and filled with moments with Hippogriffs, unicorns, and Nifflers. At the end of the trail, visitors will find a themed village, with deliciously themed food and drinks, including Butterbeer. Read more about our family’s visit to this magical, immersive experience.
EXP
Opened September 26, 2025
EXP Rosemont is a new virtual reality venue in Rosemont’s Pearl District for ages 8 and up. Visitors can take part in 45-minute, free-roaming VR expeditions such as Horizon of Khufu, exploring ancient Egypt, and Life Chronicles, tracing the history of life on Earth. The space also includes a local art gallery and programs that fund field trips for students. Click here to read about Annie’s experience there and get more info.
Paw Patrol X CAMP Chicago
October 13 – December 31, 2025
No job is too big; no pup is too small! CAMP Chicago is opening their newest immersive experience featuring all of your favorite Paw Patrol characters. The wall magically turns and characters welcome you to explore Adventure Bay with all of Ryder’s pups. Read more about Paw Patrol x Camp so you’ll know what to expect at this adventure.
Flyover Chicago
Opened on March 1, 2024
Flyover, an immersive attraction at Navy Pier, incorporates drone technology and aerial shots to showcase the city. From climbing skyscrapers 13,000 ft. high to diving straight down buildings, skimming sidewalks, swooping into iconic landmarks like the Chicago Theatre, to floating though fireworks and more, this experience will be the first of its kind to hit Chicago.
Annie and her family experienced this immersive ride and have all kind of Flyover Chicago tips and inside information to share with you!
Wonderverse Chicago in Oakbrook Center
Opened January 11, 2024
Wonderverse will allow guests to enter imaginative worlds from popular films, television series, and video games such as Uncharted, Ghostbusters, Jumanji, Bad Boys, Zombieland, and more. The 45,000 square-foot transformative space will host a hybrid of physical and immersive multi-media experiences, interactive installations, dynamic attractions, and themed dining experiences.
Check out Annie’s review of Wonderverse Chicago in Oakbrook Center.
Sloomoo Institute in Chicago
Opened November 19, 2022
Get ready mess-makers, this one’s for you! Sloomoo Institute, located in River North, features spaces designed by contemporary artists where artisanal slime comes to life with various scents, sounds, and immersive experiences. A visit to this one-of-a-kind sensory experience is perfect for your slime and ASMR enthusiasts.
Rita put together a Sloomoo Institute review to prepare you for your visit.
Color Factory in Chicago
Opened June 17, 2022
Traipse through installations by local artists, toss handfuls of Chicago-flag-colored confetti through the air, slide (or jump or swim) through a giant, monochromatic ball pit filled with 200,000+ serenely colored balls, and more at Color Factory Chicago, which spans over 25,000 square feet in Lower Level 2 of Willis Tower.
Read Rachel’s review of Color Factory Chicago.
Museum of Ice Cream in Chicago
Opened July 16, 2022
Jump in a pool of sprinkles or experience one of thirteen other exhibits at the Museum of Ice Cream. Hop on the pink Sprink-L line, mini golf through ice cream treats, and test your skill at carnival games. You won’t leave with an empty stomach!
Read Rachel’s review of the Museum of Ice Cream in Chicago.
Jurassic Gardens at Volo Auto Museum in Volo
Come face to face with your favorite dinosaurs at Jurassic Gardens in the Volo Auto Museum. Read our guide to Volo Auto Museum to get all the details about what you’ll see, how to get food, and tips for extending your visit to the far north suburbs.
Peppa Pig World of Play in Schaumburg
Peppa Pig World of Play transports you into the life of Peppa Pig and all her friends! Ride the bus with Miss Rabbit, sort packages on Mr. Zebra’s Post Van, or watch TV on Peppa’s couch.
Check out my review of Peppa Pig World of Play and see photos of what you can expect.
WNDR Museum in Chicago
WNDR Museum Chicago is full of interactive and thought-provoking art exhibits. There are over twenty installations ranging from flip sequins to robotic painters. Themes change throughout the year, so check their website for the most up-to-date information about what displays are coming next.
Check out Rita’s review of WNDR Museum Chicago for an inside look.
Bubble Planet Experience
Opening date not yet announced
Immerse yourselves in all things bubbles! With a bubble bath, cloud room, infinity room, and so much more, Bubble Planet Experience will be fun for kids and adults of all ages. Interested parties can join the waitlist to keep up-to-date on when it will open.
New Exhibits in Chicago and the Suburbs
Field Museum: Pokemon Fossil Museum
Opens May 22, 2026
Pokémon Fossil Museum opens next year, bringing fandom to the Field Museum. This special exhibition brings together the wonders of natural history and the world of Pokémon, featuring real fossil excavation and preparation tools. Read all about it on the Field Museum’s website.
Chicago Children’s Museum: Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit
Open until January 4, 2026
Good grief! Join Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang at the Chicago Children’s Museum’s newest exhibit. Immerse yourself in the world of Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip. Read more on their website about all the things you’ll experience in the world of Charlie Brown.
Field Museum: Reptiles Alive!
Open from June 20, 2025 – April 5, 2026
The newest exhibit at the Field Museum is home to over 20 live reptiles from various ecosystems throughout the world. This special exhibit also features interactive exhibits and models to help museum guests strengthen their understand how reptiles live, eat, and survive. Details about this new exhibit, which requires an all-access museum pass, can be found on the Field Museum’s website.
Morton Arboretum: Vivid Creatures
Opening Spring 2025
Vivid Creatures, created by Oregon artists Fez and Heather BeGaetz, will feature larger-than-life sculptures representing animals important to Illinois ecosystems. We can’t wait to see these impressive pieces throughout the grounds at the Morton Arboretum.
Bess Bower Dunn Museum: Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains
June 29, 2025 through February 16, 2026
The Dunn Museum in Libertyville is home to a special exhibition, Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains, featuring the work of American comic book writer and artist Alex Ross. His works connect the comic book world to over 100 pieces of art including larger-than-life murals and portraits of iconic superheroes and villains. Tickets for this special exhibit can be purchased on the Lake County Forest Preserve’s website.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing
Open now through February 8, 2026
Immerse yourself in Peter Parker’s world with rare comic books, props and costumes, interactive exhibits and larger-than-life displays. Explore Spider-Man’s life through TV, movie and video games. Tickets to this special exhibit must be purchased in addition to general museum admission.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Powering the Future
Opening early 2026
From a towering two-story slide to hands-on encounters with real-world technology and artifacts, this immersive exhibit is located in the south balcony of the museum. More details to come in anticipation of opening next year.
Looking for more ways to have fun with your family this fall? Check out our Indoor Activities Guide.
