Chicago indoor activities with families
While we know that Chicago is a fabulous city, sometimes the weather is against us when planning family days out! Rain, wind, snow, and even summer heatwaves can put paid to our plans to visit many of Chicago's outdoor parks and attractions. Luckily, we've got some great ideas for Chicago indoor activities with families to inspire you.
1) Museum of Science and Industry
With a huge range of fascinating exhibits, Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry opens up a world of innovation and creativity to the whole family. A personal favorite is the Idea Factory, where children can use interactive tools to put scientific theories to the test.
2) Shedd Aquarium
Don't let bad weather put you off from exploring the natural world - at the Shedd Aquarium you get to discover a magical underwater experience, all under one roof. Traveling through this vast aquarium is like taking a trip around the world, from the wonders of the Caribbean reef to the weird and creepy creatures found in the Amazon River.
3) The Painted Penguin
At the Painted Penguin, your family can run wild with their creative talents with a range of activities such as ceramic and canvas painting and making jewelry. The friendly café offers a nice place to grab a snack and drink before you head home with your new creations.
4) The Big Bounce
Although most sessions at The Big Bounce are for specific age categories, by planning ahead you can book onto one of the special family sessions where adults and children alike all get to join in the bouncing fun. This 3-hour pass gives you unlimited access to five different arenas, all packed with inflatables and foam obstacles for maximum fun.
5) Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is another great way for families to get close to the natural world, no matter how bad the weather is. Parents and children can enjoy wandering through wondrous exhibits such as the Butterfly Haven and Wild World, and get hands-on experience in the Look-In Lab and RiverWorks.
6) Adler Planetarium
There aren't many children who don't develop an obsession with all things space-related at some point, and the Adler Planetarium is the perfect place to let them explore their interests and learn about the universe. Junior space explorers will love blasting off in Planet Explorers, and older children will enjoy the science-based interactive experiments in Mission Moon.
Whether you're a Chicago nanny looking for a fun day out for the kids, or a parent in search of inspiration, we hope you'll enjoy these great Chicago indoor activities with families!
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