The 7 Best Free Things to Do in Chicago When Your Kids Say, ‘I’m Bored’

No matter how many toys we buy or activities we plan, it’s our shared fate as parents, babysitters, and nannies that we will one day hear our children shriek the same two panic-inducing words: “I’M BORED!”

But, rather than empty your wallet trying to keep the kids entertained, try a different approach: Put together a stockpile of low-cost, out-of-the-house activities that you can all do as a family. And you’re in luck because Chicago is home to a wealth of places to go that inspire enjoyment free of charge! The city’s best family-friendly, free attractions can be found all over town any time of year.

Here’s a list of our seven favorite things to do to banish boredom instantly, while still staying within budget.

Check Out the Exhibits at the Chicago Children’s Museum

Address: 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Hours:

“Free Museum Day” Hours: Tuesday, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Regular Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Image via Facebook/Chicago Children’s Museum

Most of Chicago’s museums charge a general admission fee, but did you know that many of them offer select “free museum days” for Illinois residents throughout the year? The Chicago Children’s Museum is free every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Regular admission is $14 for kids and parents and $13 for seniors.) The museum’s most popular exhibits include “Dinosaur Expedition” (where your kids can dig for ancient bones), and “Play It Safe” (where they’ll use their imagination while learning about fire safety). The museum is located at Navy Pier, so you can also enjoy the beautiful views before or after your visit.

Take a Stroll Through the Chicago Botanic Garden

Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Hours: Seasonal; June 3 – September 4, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Image via Flickr Creative Commons/REKnight

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe for a free dose of nature. Founded more than 40 years ago, its grounds stretch across 385 acres and encompass dozens of unique gardens over nine islands, including a renowned bonsai collection. You can pretend you’ve taken a step back in time in Spider Island’s secluded woodlands. You can look, smell, and touch in the sensory garden. You can even learn how to create your own flower bed at the Children’s Growing Garden. Believe me: It’s not hard to spend an entire day here!

Drivers should note that parking isn’t free ($25 per car on weekdays and $30 on weekends), but the Botanic Garden is accessible via public transportation, too.

Immerse Yourself in Nature at the Garfield Park Conservatory

Address: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624
Hours: Thursday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Image via Wikimedia Commons/Garfield Park Conservatory

If you’re craving greenery in the middle of the winter, or need to rely on public transit, the Garfield Park Conservatory is an excellent alternative to the outdoor Chicago Botanic Garden. Located within city limits and not far from the CTA Green Line, this conservatory is also free to all ages 365 days a year. Donations to the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance are accepted at the door. Six greenhouses and two exhibition halls make up this Chicago gem. As expected of a giant greenhouse, it’s kept nice and toasty all through the chilly months.

Visit the Animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Address: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614
Hours: Seasonal; Memorial Day – Labor Day, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on weekends

Image via Facebook/Lincoln Park Zoo

Plants are great, but sometimes you just need to go wild! The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of our favorite free attractions in the city. Open every day of the year, many of the zoo’s exhibits are indoors, including the small mammal, reptile, primate, and big cat houses. If you decide to visit in January, you’ll only need to spend a few moments outdoors darting from building to building.

Check Out the Free Events at Any Chicago Public Park

Image via Facebook/Millennium Park

Chicago public parks are always free, and they offer year-round programming for kids and parents. Download the My Chi Parks app to find special programming, such as “Movies in the Park,” or a park that offers a certain feature like a totally amazing playground. Find a free “Movies in the Park” screening at the park nearest to your home, or go big and attend one of the screenings on a giant screen at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) downtown.

Many of these parks offer special kid-friendly installations, such as the Nature Play Center in West Rogers Park’s Indian Boundary Park (2500 W. Lunt Ave.) or the fishing-friendly lagoon at Washington Park (5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive).

Spend the Day at One of Chicago’s Public Beaches or Pools

Image via Pixabay/quinntheislander

Don’t ever say that Chicago isn’t a beach town. Pack up a cooler and head to one of the many public beaches along the Lake Michigan coastline. (And, as with Chicago public parks, our public beaches are free as well.)

Pro tip: Avoid the overcrowded options like North Avenue Beach and find some prime beach towel real estate at one of the lesser-frequented (but equally enjoyable) spots like Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Drive), Hollywood Beach (5800 N. Lake Shore Drive), and 12th Street Beach (1200 S. Linn White Drive). If you don’t feel like going all the way east, Humboldt Park’s recently reopened man-made beach (1400 N. Sacramento Ave.) is an adorable destination for soaking up the sun in the middle of the city.

Many of Chicago’s public parks also come complete with swimming pools. Hamlin Park (3035 N. Hoyne Ave.), Pulaski Park (1419 W. Blackhawk St.), and Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) offer some of the biggest and best watering holes. Some, like Eckhert Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave.) and Kosciuszko Park (2732 N. Avers Ave.), even have indoor pools for year-round water aerobics.

Go for a Ride on a Bike Path

Image via Facebook/The 606

Chicago’s two most popular free bike paths — the Chicago Lakefront Trail and the 606 — offer stunningly scenic views of the city and are accessible to both bikers young and old.

The Lakefront Trail runs north to south and is sandwiched between Lake Shore Drive and the coast of Lake Michigan, meaning you’ll whiz past sand and seagulls while you ride. Some of Chicago’s most famous skyscrapers, like the Hancock Building and the Drake Hotel, make up your view to the south.

Riders be warned: The Lakefront Trail’s beautiful surroundings attract a lot of runners and bike riders, so peak times like Saturday afternoons can be quite congested.

To the west, there’s the 606 trail. Opened in 2015, the elevated walkway and bike path runs west to east, starting in Humboldt Park and sailing into the Wicker Park neighborhood. There are plenty of small parks and art installations along the way in case your little one’s’ attention span needs a recharge.