Here's an ongoing list of things to do in the Chicagoland area. If you know of something I can add, please let me know! I'm slowly but surely linking the various activities. *Call ahead of visiting anything listed here to check for hours and/or if they're still in business.*
Aurora
Sky Zone
Barrington
Goebbert's Farm & Pumpkin Patch
Bloomingdale
Stratford Square Mall Train, Carousel, Indoor playground
Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo
Buffalo Grove
Rockin' Jump
Carol Stream
Rockin' Jump
Chicago
The 606 (elevated running path/artwork)
Adler Planetarium
Art Institute
Buckingham Fountain
Chicago Cultural Center (Free, great photo ops, free tours at certain times)
Chicago Design Museum
Chicago Riverwalk
Field Museum
Lincoln Park Zoo
Maggie Daley Park
Museum of Science & Industry
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Promontory Point
Shedd Aquarium
Crystal Lake
Chuck E. Cheese's
Monkey Joe's
Pump It Up
Des Plaines
The Choo-Choo (restaurant)
Dundee Township
AZoosement Park (Old Santa's Village)
Elgin
Adventure Island indoor water park @The Centre
Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
Elk Grove Village
Fountain Square Park
Jumps N Jiggles
Pirate's Cove Children's Theme Park
Rainbow Falls Water Park
Elmhurst
Sky Zone
Glencoe
Chicago Botanic Garden
Little House of Glencoe
Glenview
Kohl Children's Museum
Gurnee
Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall
Key Lime Cove
Six Flags Great America
Hanover Park
Chuck E. Cheese's
Highland Park
Ravinia Festival
Lake Zurich
Treehouse
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Marriott Theater & Children's Playhouse
Lisle
The Morton Arboretum
Maple Park
Kuipers Family Farm
Naperville
The Ball Factory
Niles
Sky High Sports
Northbrook
River Trail Nature Center
Rockford
Carlson Acrtic Ice Arena
Discovery Center Children's Museum
Magic Waters Water Park
Monkey Joe's
Sapora Playworld More info here
Sinnissippi Park
Skateland
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens
Rockford Things to Do
Roscoe (near Rockford)
Board & Brush (this is for adults only)
Rosemont
MB Financial Park
Rosemont Website
Chicago Wolves hockey
Schaumburg
Bison's Bluff-outdoor playground, discovery area
Jump Zone-inflatable "playground". Our 4 year old loved this.
Kids Club-it's been said that they often have Groupons available
Legoland Discovery Center - went here with our 5 year old and 2 1/2 year old. They really enjoyed it and we were there longer than I had anticipated. If your child loves Legos, I think they'll enjoy it. My kids loved the little ride, the Lego water table area, and the 4D movie theater. I also recommend checking out Groupon before buying tickets, since I probably wouldn't pay more than the Groupon $14 price we paid. I'd also skip the photo packages; it's not worth it. Ages 2 and under are free.
Pilot Pete's (restaurant) This is a fun, airport/plane-themed restaurant. We go there with the kids and they love it. It overlooks the Schaumburg airport. It's a noisy place (great for kids) and a huge menu.
Pump It Up
Rainforest Cafe (restaurant)
Schaumburg Park District Website
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary
The Tot Lot-Sch. Park District
The Water Works-indoor waterpark Sch. Park District
Woodfield Mall
Top Golf-It's on the the land by Motorola. It's great! Our whole family loved it. 12/2019
Yu Kids Island- indoor playground/play place It's inside Woodfield Mall. Must wear socks.
Skokie
Chuck E. Cheese's
Skokie Exploratorium
South Elgin
Epic Air-it's recommended that small kids go during the designated toddler time
St. Charles
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
Union
Donley's Wild west Town
Illinois Railway Museum
West Dundee
Randall Oaks Zoo
Wheaton
Cosley Zoo
Mokey Joe's
Monkey Business
Kids Town
Misc. Northwest Suburban Parks blog
