Guides for weekends with kids around Chicago
Hand-picked lists for the way parents actually plan a weekend: by your kid's age, the weather, your budget, the kind of outing, or where you live. Every place links to full details — drive time, stroller notes, parking and tips.
In season
- Spring bloomsSpring flowers with kids around Chicago: Lilac Time, cherry blossoms and blossom walks5 places
- Summer waterSummer water with kids around Chicago: Lake Michigan beaches, Crown Fountain and Centennial Beach6 places
- Pumpkin patchesPumpkin patches and apple picking with kids around Chicago6 places
- Holiday lightsHoliday lights and Christmas markets with kids around Chicago6 places
- Winter funWinter with kids around Chicago: sledding, the skating ribbon and warm places to go6 places
By age
By weather & budget
By type
- HikesFamily hikes and nature walks around Chicago17 places
- FarmsFarms with animals for kids around Chicago5 places
- PlaygroundsPlaygrounds worth the drive around Chicago9 places
- LibrariesLibraries with great kids' areas around the Chicago suburbs7 places
- BeachesLake beaches and swimming spots for kids around Chicago7 places
- TrainsTrains, boats and the big wheel with kids around Chicago6 places
- GardensGardens, arboretums and conservatories for kids around Chicago5 places
- ZoosZoos and aquariums for kids around Chicago5 places
- MuseumsMuseums and children's museums for kids around Chicago8 places
By area
Every place, by type
Hike
- Busse Woods elk and lake loop
- Chicago Riverwalk
- Emily Oaks Nature Center
- Fullersburg Woods Nature Center and Graue Mill
- Herrick Lake lakeside trail
- Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm
- Jackson Park Wooded Island and Japanese garden
- Knoch Knolls Nature Center and trails
- Lake Arlington loop
- Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
- Naperville Riverwalk
- River Trail Nature Center
- Spring Valley Nature Center and trails
- Springbrook Prairie
- Starved Rock State Park canyons
- The 606 elevated trail
- Waterfall Glen waterfall and woodland trails
Farm
Playground
- Bison's Bluff Nature Playground
- Indian Boundary Park playground and lagoon
- Maggie Daley Park play garden
- Millennium Park and Crown Fountain
- Northside Park lakeside playground
- Oz Park (Wizard of Oz playground)
- Rehm Park playground
- Sensory Garden Playground
- Wolf's Crossing Community Park playground and splash pad
Library
Beach
Train
Garden
Zoo
Museum
Seasonal
- Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm
- Christkindlmarket Chicago
- Goebbert's Farm pumpkin farm
- Illumination at the Morton Arboretum
- Kuipers Family Farm orchard and pumpkin farm
- Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
- Lilacia Park (Lilac Time)
- Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon
- Mount Hoy sledding hill (Blackwell)
- Santa's Village Azoosment Park
- Sonny Acres Farm fall festival
- ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo