- ExplorerAll-Inclusive
- Family-friendly
- Indoors
Up to 2 hours
Chicago Children's Museum
Up to 2 hours
If you're looking for things to do in Chicago with kids, take them to the Chicago Children's Museum.
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What visitors are saying
5.0Fun for kids of multiple ages
Jul 24, 2025A huge climbing metal treehouse for more adventurous kids.
Jul 11, 2026It happened to be a rainy day when we went and we were so glad to be in here during the worst of it.
May 19, 2026- Explore Chicago with Go City®Your Chicago pass includes dozens of other top attractions, all for one money-saving price
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Overview
Tour Chicago Children's Museum's new permanent exhibit: Water City. In the new Water City experience, children of all ages and abilities can determine their own experiments, narratives, sensory experiences, and explorations of the physical properties of water.
Water City connects water play and STEM experiences for the next generation of young explorers and their families. The exhibit is in the historic part of Navy Pier called the Head House, in the western 50 ft. tall tower and includes a central water feature with three legs echoing the three branches of the Chicago River, and uniquely Chicago elements such as a lock/dam system, Lake Michigan, and skyscrapers from Chicago’s iconic skyline.
As one of the best things to do in Chicago with kids, the Chicago Children's Museum features 15 permanent, kid-friendly exhibits that are included with your pass.
Chicago Children's Museum highlights
Cloud Buster
37 climbable feet of structural steel, wood, wire, rope, acrylic, fiberglass, and artificial turf where visitors explore multiple levels, climb through unexpected spaces, and ascend to The Apartment, Cloud Buster’s highest destination that’s designed to resemble a Chicago apartment, complete with Chicago-themed artwork and posters.
Tinkering Lab
Budding DIY enthusiasts need look no further for their next creation. This space lets kids have the freedom to innovate and explore using real tools and materials. There's even an early learning nook where babies and toddlers can get involved using the safe, protected space.
Water City
Dive into water-based kids experiments and sensory experiences as you learn about the physical properties of water.
Dinosaur Exhibition
Take a trip to the Sahara and discover a skeleton of dinosaur bones as you excavate the dig site.
Play it Safe
Those with a dream to be a firefighter will love this. Kids can explore a realistic firehouse, shimmy up and down a firefighter’s pole, get behind the wheel of a fire truck and practice escaping from a fire-filled room.
What's included
With us, there are no entry fees on the day – all you've got to do is show your pass.
Explore the Water City, Cloud Buster, Dinosaur and Tinkering Lab exhibitions.
Immersive programs designed to entertain and educate.
Explore this attraction and 36 more, all for one low price
View all attractionsWhere you'll be
Navy Pier 700 East Grand Avenue,, Chicago, USHow to get there
Accessible via #2 Hyde Park Express, #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago or the #124 Navy Pier Express bus routes. Free Trolley service is available daily between Navy Pier and State Street between Grand Avenue and Illinois Street. Also accessible via stop 8 on the Big Bus Hop-On and Hop-Off Tour (also available on Go City Chicago).
Standard opening hours
Upcoming schedule changes
Could have stayed even longer
MeghanGreat children’s museum, love that you can come and go on the same day. Will definitely be back next time we come to Chicago
Lets kids touch, climb , and imagine freely.
BetsGreat for toddler and little kids. I took a 4 and 6 year old. Lots of climbing and hands on playing. The kids loved the make believe and dress up areas. They had lots of climbing areas for a very energized boy. There was castle fort area, great for imagination play. A huge climbing metal treehouse for more adventurous kids. Helmet required. Dinosaurs area for fossil searching. Firehouse and truck and fires to put out. Make believe town for imagination play. Wet area if you don't mind your kid getting soaked. They let you leave for lunch and come back with ease. Definitely recommend going during week when its less busy. Recommend for kids less than 12
Great First Stop
JamieVisited Navy Pier and the Children’s Museum on our way into the city. Impressed with the variety of activities for kids and the attentive staff
Fun for all Ages
Kim Love HurdNot only did my kids have fun exploring the museum but my husband and I did as well. Lots of hands on activities that are engaging in mind and body.
Very cool and great way to get kids energy out
MelissaSo many cool things to do and see. It happened to be a rainy day when we went and we were so glad to be in here during the worst of it. The kids did art, played in the water, “dug” up dinosaur bones, cl.Could easily spend a whole day here.
Divertidisimo
VictoriaUn plan ideal para los chicos. No es un lugar muy grande, pero tiene espacios bien divertidos y diferenciados
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