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Free or cheap things to do with kids in the Chicago area
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items Fun things to do with kids in the Chicagoland area that don’t cost a fortune.
One of our favorite parks to go to! Free and fun! Located in Burr Ridge right off of I-55 it is a convenient park to access. It has so many activities, slides, zip line, climbing, splash pad, sand play area, sensory music area, ect. So much to do...
Harvester Park | Burr Ridge Park Dist
Do the kids want to splash around and have fun on a hot day? This is a free, out of the way place to do that! Right off of I-55 in Darien, this spot is a short walk from parking. You can catch crayfish and maybe even see some harmless water snakes...
Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Need something to do on a hot day in summer? Go play mini golf, completely inside in the A/C. We went early one morning right when they opened. We got a Groupon and played both courses for a discount! Keep your eyes open for those! Your ball is ...
Puttshack Oak Brook | Upscale Mini Golf, Bar & Restaurant
I buy a membership to the Morton Arboretum every year just for the Children’s Garden. My son loves to play in the pond and the river in the garden. In early June, a highlight of the pond is all the tadpoles the are there! The kids love to see them...
Children's Garden | Outdoor Play for Kids
We love going to the Little Red School House Nature Center. It has a variety of animals inside, some play areas, and a big fish tank downstairs with turtles and a snapping turtle, as well as quite a few other tanks with a variety of local fish to se...
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
A little out of the immediate Chicago area but if you have little this is a great day trip! This children’s play center has different areas inside all in separate rooms for the kids to play in. Areas include a water play room, a veterinary clinic, ...
Bellaboo's Play and Discovery Center
This is another great day trip activity that doesn’t cost a fortune! This was a great small zoo with tons of animals and great exhibits. Everything was close up and easily accessible. There was a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits that were al...
Washington Park Zoo
Did you know that the Rainbow Playset showroom has open play hours? Well they do! This is a great activity for a hot summer day or a rainy day! For a nominal fee, your kiddos can play on all the play sets and trampolines they have set up in the sh...
Rainbow Swing Set Superstores
Yes, it’s a plant store, but it’s also so much more! It’s an experience! The kids will love seeing the small volcano that steams and makes noise, the big koi pond, the tortoises and turtles, the lizards, and the bird cage. You can pay a few dollar...
Jungle of Niles
Holes and Knolls is a mini golf course owned by the Glen Ellen park district. Right off of 355 and Roosevelt, Holes and Knolls has two courses to choose from. They have fun and challenging holes on each course. It is nestled in some grown trees so...
Holes & Knolls
We love coming to Heap’s in the fall! The first two weekends they are open they have a sunflower fest, where you can go pick your own sunflower bloom and take it home or you can pay extra and cut as many flowers as you wants from their sunflower and...
Heaps Giant Pumpkin Farm
Dollinger’s Family Farm is a fun and free entry place to go for fall fun. I would recommend it for the 7 and under crowd. They have a corn silo kids can play in, a small museum of old farm equipment, farm animals to see, an play area with a bunch o...
Dollinger Family Farm
We went to this last year and it was amazing! They have a location in Lemont this year as well, which we will go to as it is much closer for us. It was amazing to see all the carved pumpkins lit up and the detail some of the carvings had. They had...
Jack O Lantern World - Lake Zurich 2025
For an entry fee of a donation of your choice, you can visit the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Parking is free in a lot right next door. Check out all the cool garden areas and buildings. In summer they have a wonderful outdoor garden as ...
Garfield Park Conservatory
If you want to go hiking, head out to Matthiessen State Park which is just down the road from Starved Rock State park. Check out the waterfalls and canyons, also enjoy the fall colors coming up soon.
Matthiessen State Park
My kids love this nature museum. Check out all the animal displays, the water play area, treehouse play area and butterfly room. Free parking is available on the street of you get there early. Make a day of it and go across the street to Lincoln P...
Peggy Nottebart Nature Museum