Chicago offers a variety of museums, zoos and attractions appropriate for toddlers, making it an ideal destination for families. Residents and visitors to Chicago may be surprised to discover so many toddler-friendly activities in the area. Many Chicago attractions allow active toddlers to roam freely, exploring their surroundings while learning in the process.
Chicago Children’s Museum
The Chicago Children’s Museum is an ideal location for toddlers to burn off energy. It has three floors of interactive, educational displays on topics including safety, dinosaurs, inventions and airplanes. Toddlers can shop in a grocery store, dig for dinosaur bones in an excavation pit or practice buckling a seat belt in a real car. Toddlers will enjoy interacting with all of the displays at the Chicago Children’s Museum. The museum offers free admission on certain evenings so check out the website before planning a visit. The Chicago Children’s Museum is located at 700 East Grand Avenue in Chicago at the end of the Navy Pier. More information is available on the website or by calling (312) 527-1000.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier offers a variety of entertainment for the entire family. Toddlers will enjoy seeing boats along the pier. Interesting statues and sculptures will also attract attention from toddlers. Magicians, jugglers and costumed characters perform regularly at Navy Pier. Pier Park offers a Ferris wheel, carousel, miniature golf course and more rides that toddlers can enjoy. Navy Pier hosts Toddlin’ Thursdays periodically during the year. Special storytelling and music events highlight these special events. The Navy Pier website offers more information on special events. Navy Pier is located at 600 East Grand Avenue in Chicago. The phone number is (312) 595-PIER.
Shedd Aquarium
Sharks, sea turtles, beluga whales, otters and dolphins are only a small sample of the animals that will captivate toddlers at the Shedd Aquarium. The displays allow toddlers to explore the sea creatures up close. Weekends are very busy at the Shedd Aquarium and can make it difficult to get close to the displays. A weekday visit may be a better option so your toddler can see the displays well. Tickets may be purchased online to save time once you arrive at the Shedd Aquarium. The aquarium is located at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. More information is available on the website or by calling 312-939-2438.
Lincoln Park Zoo
A visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo is reminiscent of a stroll through a park with the added bonus of zoo animals. Toddlers will enjoy seeing all of their favorite zoo animals during a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free, making this an affordable family vacation destination. The Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2001 North Clark Street in Chicago. More information is available on its website or by calling 312-742-2000.
