Make time for family fun

5 fun things to do
in Chicago with kids

Turn an ordinary day into something you’ll both remember. Explore five family activities in Chicago, starting with a hands-on pottery class. Follow your child’s curiosity, share a few laughs, and try something new together.

Explore the five ideas

A child holding a star-shaped cutter as an adult rolls clay — fun things to do with kids in Chicago

Your next family adventure

Five ways to make
family time special.

Looking for things to do in Chicago with kids? Make pottery, cook together, try flying trapeze, play board games, or follow clues through an art museum. Pick an idea that sparks your child’s curiosity and make a day of it together.

A family shaping clay together during a pottery class — fun things to do with kids in Chicago — Little hands. Big ideas.

Family time, made by hand

Make a little mess.
Make something together.

Pottery Studio 1

Give your child room to imagine, get a little messy, and proudly say, “I made that!” Shape clay side by side, try the pottery wheel, and help each other turn ideas into a bowl, mug, or little keepsake.

Everyone can create at their own pace, so there’s time to chat, share ideas, and enjoy being together. Our instructors guide you step by step, and beginners are welcome. Add painting for extra color; your pieces stay for firing, and we’ll let you know when they’re ready for pickup.

Beginner friendly Create together as a family

1 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611 Also in Lakeview & West Loop Find your family workshop

Make a day of it together

More things to do
in Chicago with kids

Cook side by side, try flying trapeze, play board games, or follow clues through an art museum. Explore family activities in Chicago that make room for laughter, curiosity, and time together.

Parents and two children making pasta in a cooking studio — family activities in Chicago

02* Private cooking class

Lincoln Park

Cook up some family fun.

Oui Chef

Tie on your aprons and make something delicious together. Plan a private cooking class with activities matched to your child’s age, share the prep, and enjoy that proud moment when you get to taste what you made.

$112.50–150 per person

Calculated for one adult and one child. A 75-minute class is $48 per person with a $225 minimum booking; a two-hour class is $75 per person with a $300 minimum. For two guests, the minimum booking determines the total.

2622 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 799-8451

info@ouichefchicago.com

Private class details

75 minutes or 2 hours · By reservation

Request a parent-and-child session and share your child’s age when booking. The studio lists Friday and Sunday as closed; confirm your date and menu directly.

Little chefs. Shared discoveries. ouichefchicago.com/field-trips-and-private-classes

A mother and two children preparing for flying trapeze with a coach — fun things to do with kids in Chicago

03* Private flying trapeze

Edgewater · Seasonal outdoor location

Take a little leap together.

Get A Grip Trapeze

Cheer each other on as you try flying trapeze with an instructor and safety lines. Take turns learning the basics, celebrate each small win, and give your family a story you’ll want to tell again.

$131.25–140 per person

Calculated for four participants sharing a 90-minute private booking: $525 on weekdays or $560 on weekends. The full session is reserved for your group.

Broadway Armory, 5917 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660

(815) 277-7515

info@getagriptrapeze.com

Private session details

90 minutes · Ages 6+ · Beginner friendly

Indoor sessions take place at Broadway Armory. Summer sessions may use the Foster Beach site at 5200 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60640. Confirm your location and time when booking.

Big smiles after your first flight. getagriptrapeze.com/special-events

Parents, grandparents, and three children playing a board game — things to do in Chicago with kids

04* Private board game room

Bucktown / Logan Square

Make your next move together.

Snakes & Lattes Chicago

Pick a game, learn the rules, and let a little friendly competition begin. Book the Starship room for your own family game session, with plenty of time to laugh, think, and play together.

From $105 per person

Calculated for two guests sharing the Starship room: $175 rental plus a 20% service fee, before tax. Food and drinks cost extra. Confirm whether game admission is included in your room booking.

1965 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

(872) 310-3999

chicago@snakesandlattes.com

Private room details

3 hours · Private room for 2–12 guests

Choose games to suit your child’s age. Regular game admission is $7 per person, or $4 for kids 12 and under; ask whether it is included in your private reservation.

More play. More time together. snakesandlattes.com/chicago-private-rooms

A family following scavenger-hunt clues in an art museum — things to do in Chicago with kids

05* Private family art tour

The Loop

Follow your curiosity.

ART SMART at the Art Institute of Chicago

Turn a museum visit into a family adventure. Search for tiny details, swap ideas about what you see, and explore art with a guide who shapes the tour around your child’s age and interests.

$125 per person + admission

Calculated for four guests sharing a two-hour private tour: $500 total, plus museum admission. Online pricing is $250 per hour, with a two-hour minimum. Bookings through the office add a $25 booking fee.

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

(212) 595-4444 · ART SMART booking team

Contact form: artsmart.com/contact

Private family tour details

2-hour minimum · Tailored to your child’s age

Your guide is exclusive to your family; museum galleries remain open to other visitors. Ask for a seek-and-find route and confirm your meeting point when booking.

Little details. Big discoveries. artsmart.com/chicago-art-tours/family-art-tours-of-the-art-institute-of-chicago/

Per-person estimates use the group sizes shown. Minimum charges and additional costs may apply. Confirm ages, availability, taxes, fees, and what’s included before booking.
* AI-generated images illustrate the activities and do not show the actual venues.

Family activities in Chicago

Two ways to make
something together.

Looking for things to do in Chicago with kids? Spend two hours creating together at Pottery Studio 1. Both private workshops include the pottery wheel and hand-building. Choose the pottery and painting option to add your favorite colors and designs.

2 hours

A woman holding a handmade clay bowl beside a smiling girl — family activities in Chicago — A little clay. A proud “I made it!”

Pottery wheel & hand-building

Private pottery
workshop

Get a little messy together as you try the pottery wheel and hand-building. Your instructor will help you and your child shape a bowl, mug, or keepsake. This two-hour private workshop focuses on making pottery; painting is not included.

$100 / person

Minimum booking: $500.

Your pottery workshop includes

A welcome and introduction for your family
Your choice of project: follow a sample or try your own idea
Step-by-step pottery wheel and hand-building instruction
Time to shape your piece and add clay details

Book a pottery workshop

2 hours

Children painting clay bowls with brushes — fun things to do with kids in Chicago — Make it. Paint it. Make it yours.

Pottery wheel, hand-building & painting

Private pottery
& painting workshop

Make your pottery, then add your favorite colors and designs. This two-hour private workshop includes pottery wheel and hand-building instruction, plus a guided painting session. Help each other choose colors and give every piece a personal touch.

$130 / person

Minimum booking: $500.

Your pottery & painting workshop includes