• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Traveling Dad

TravelingMom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search
  • Traveling Dad
  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin
Home » Blog » Family Vacations » Top Family Travel Destinations : Chicago » Indoor Family Fun During Winter in Chicago
Photo courtesy of iFLY Chicago Try skydiving without having to jump out of a plane at iFLY Chicago.

Indoor Family Fun During Winter in Chicago

February 2, 2016 //  by Jamie Bartosch, Suburban TravelingMom//  2 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

When wind chills are below zero and snow is piling up, walking around Chicago isn’t fun – especially with kids. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun things for families to do indoors. So go outside and take a quick selfie in front of “The Bean” or a quick loop around Maggie Daley Park’s ice skating ribbon, and then head to these warm inside places where you can shed your coats, hats and boots and have some indoor family fun.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Palooza This giant indoor fest features all sorts of hands-on indoor activities.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Palooza
This giant indoor fest features all sorts of hands-on indoor activities.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, even I find winter hard to take some days. Strolling through Millennium Park, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, or even waiting on an L platform can leave you feeling chilled to the bone. If you find you’re in Chicago, Illinois, on one of those bad weather days this winter, grab the kids and try one of these activities.

Here are some fun things you can do indoors in Chicago this winter:

Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Palooza This giant indoor fest features all sorts of hands-on indoor activities.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Palooza
This giant indoor fest features all sorts of hands-on indoor activities.

Chicago Family Palooza, Feb. 27 & 28

Kids complaining they’re bored? They won’t be at Chicago Family Palooza, an annual fest in the western suburb of St. Charles (about a 1-hour drive or train ride from Chicago). It’s packed with activities, including indoor train rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, inflatable slides, and much more.

“That’s Weird, Grandma,” at the Neo-Futurists Theater

This critically acclaimed play is written by kids, performed by adults, and created for an audience of both. Located on Chicago’s north side, it’s a great example of the creative, artistic improv comedy theater that Chicago is known for.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Museum Days

During January and February, admission is free (or discounted) at most of Chicago’s popular, world-class museums. Some of the free admission special apply only to Illinois residents, but some are for all visitors. The list includes the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the DuSable Museum of African American History. See each museum’s website for details.

Photo courtesy of Adam Alexander Photography Free admission days are available at the Chicago Children's Museum.
Photo courtesy of Adam Alexander Photography
Free admission days are available at the Chicago Children’s Museum.

iFLY, in Suburban Naperville and Rosemont

This is a really popular activity with suburban families right now. Parents and kids can try indoor sky diving without having to jump out of a plane at iFLY Chicago. Wearing a uniform, helmet and goggles, you float safely through an enclosed area. You even get a video of your experience which you can share on social media. Discounted tickets are available at Costco, and there are sometimes Groupons. So check for deals. Also – this is important – you need to make a reservation in advance. Weekends book up quickly.

Photo courtesy of iFLY Chicago Try skydiving without having to jump out of a plane at iFLY Chicago.
Photo courtesy of iFLY Chicago
Try skydiving without having to jump out of a plane at iFLY Chicago.

Indoor Walking Tours (or Tours with Heated Coats)

Want to sightsee in Chicago, but it’s too cold for walking or boating tours? Consider “The Pedway Tour” by a new tour group, Chicago Elevated. It’s all indoors, and mostly underground. They also have a special winter tour, where you’re given high-tech heated coats to wear as you walk outside by Maggie Daley Park’s skating ribbon and the lakefront.

Chicago Wolves Hockey Game at the Allstate Arena

Chicago is a serious hockey town (um, hello Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks?). But getting Blackhawks tickets can be tough, and it’s an expensive outing for a family. An affordable, fun, and family-friendly option is to see the Chicago Wolves play at the Allstate Arena. My kids love the pyrotechnic show to start the game, and all of the entertainment between periods. Plus, they’re a great team!

Photo courtesy of Chicago Wolves Skates, the mascot of the Chicago Wolves, lights up the pre-game show.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Wolves
Skates, the mascot of the Chicago Wolves, lights up the pre-game show.

Tilt over the Top of a Skyscraper

3…2…1…tilt! That’s what they say when “Tilt” begins, a new thrill experience on top of Chicago’s iconic John Hancock building. You stand in an all-glass box that literally tilts out over the side of the building. Afterward, you can enjoy the 360-degree views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Another fun top-of-the-skyscraper activity is the Willis Tower Ledge, where you walk out onto a glass box 103-feet above Chicago. It’s one of the most popular Chicago photo-ops.

Photo by Jamie Bartosch/Suburban TravelingMom Hold on to the bars and tilt over the top of Chicago's John Hancock skyscraper.
Photo by Jamie Bartosch/Suburban TravelingMom
Hold on to the bars and tilt over the top of Chicago’s John Hancock skyscraper.

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Conjunction junction, what’s your function? Emerald City Theatre stages “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” a who based on the beloved educational TV series, including its popular songs. Runs Feb. 26-June 5 at the Apollo Theater.

The Chicago Sports Museum, in Water Tower Place

It’s a small museum, but if you’re in the Water Tower Place mall and need a shopping break, it’s a fun stop for families. It’s packed with Chicago sports memorabilia and interactive sports games. If you eat at the adjacent Harry Caray’s restaurant beforehand, everyone’s admission is free. It’s one of several fun things to do in and around Water Tower Place. Read my other suggestions here.

Photo by Jamie Bartosch/Suburban TravelingMom Sports memorabilia and interactive video games fill the Chicago Sports Museum in Water Tower Place.
Photo by Jamie Bartosch/Suburban TravelingMom
Sports memorabilia and interactive video games fill the Chicago Sports Museum in Water Tower Place.

For the Win Video Arcade

Midwest TravelingMom Andrea Guthman raves about For the Win, a new upscale arcade in downtown Chicago that is a winner for indoor family fun. And what kids don’t like video games? Read her review here.

More than 130 games are offered at For the Win photo courtesy: Andrea Guthmann
More than 130 games are offered at For the Win
photo courtesy: Andrea Guthmann

Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, Ill.

A smaller, manageable and fun indoor water park in the far north suburbs, it’s unique feature is a kids spa. That’s a fun post-water park activity for young girls. They can have facials, mani-pedis, or makeup application. Read my review of it here.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Family Vacations in ChicagoTag: Chicago, family, indoor, winter, winter travel

Jamie Bartosch, Suburban TravelingMom

About Jamie Bartosch, Suburban TravelingMom

Jamie Bartosch is an award-winning journalist in suburban Chicago. Her stories have been published in USA TODAY, A&E, Midwest Living magazine, the Chicago Daily Herald and dozens of other publications. A married mother of two teenagers, she blogs for TravelingMom.com from the viewpoint of a "typical suburban mom." Her goal is to provide honest, useful information to help parents save time, save money, and make the most of their family vacation. Learn more about her at https://www.jamiebartosch.com/.

  • Globe icon
  • Facebook logo
  • Twitter logo
  • LinkedIn logo
  • YouTube logo
  • Instagram logo
  • Pinterest logo

View Jamie's Posts

Previous Post: «El Faro Beach Hotel Manuel Antonio Costa Rica - photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card Traveling Mom Hotel Review: El Faro Beach Hotel, Costa Rica
Next Post: Lock Up Your Love in Lovelock, Nevada Family love lock in Lovelock, NV»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Yes, Sign Me Up Now!

Free Disneyland ebook!

Trending Posts

Walt Disney World Free
2797

How to Score Free Stuff at Disney World to Save Money!

Scanning your MagicBand to access your Fastpass+ selection is simple for even the youngest guest.
1093

Everything You Need to Know About FastPass+ at Disney World

Disney pin trading tips
919

5 Helpful Tips for Pin Trading at Walt Disney World

Explore 7 California National Park Sites within 4 hours of Los Angeles. With redwood trees, tide pools, and deserts, the parks offer nature at its best.
667

7 National Parks a Road Trip Away from LA

The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is a stunning filming location for Game of Thrones.
464

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Beautiful Location of Game of Thrones

  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2019 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.