My 10-year-old and I spent an amazing 3 days in Chicago while we were in town for a WNBA game. It was my first real trip to Chicago and my son’s first visit as well. We had a blast and I can admit that I’d brushed Chicago off but it’s definitely an amazing, underrated city! We visited in the summer and would love to come back with family the same time of year or over the holidays.
If you’re contemplating a trip to Chicago with your older elementary age kids or preteens, I hope this will help give you some ideas of what you can see in do in the Windy City.
I’ve also included where we stayed, dining options, and a few more tips that may help your trip to be smooth, stress-free, and fun for you and your kids!
What to Do in Chicago with a 10-Year-Old
I’ve got a 10-year-old boy, so this list is skewed towards his interests. I’ve noted what we did and other places that were on our list, but we didn’t get to see this trip.
Visit the Sloomoo Institute – A Slime Museum
This slime ‘museum’ was one of the highlights of the trip for my son. It’s a multi-room, colorful museum full of vats of (clean) slime and slime-related activities like slime slingshots and an area where you can ‘get slimed.’
We both loved creating our own personalized slime to bring home!
Read about Our Experience at the Sloomoo Institute of Chicago
Go to a Chicago Sky (WNBA) Game
Seeing the Chicago Sky play the Indiana Fever was the purpose of our visit to Chicago, and it didn’t disappoint! The game was at Wintrust Arena, and some games this year will also be at the United Center.
Seeing amazing female basketball players up close and in an energetic arena was so much fun for both of us.
Besides the WNBA, you could also see other sports live, like:
- NBA (Chicago Bulls)
- Baseball (Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox)
- Soccer (Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars)
- Football (Chicago Bears)
- Hockey (Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Wolves)
Interested in the WNBA? Be sure to check out
Why You Should Take Your Kids to a WNBA Game
Going to a WNBA Game with Kids
WNBA Basics for Families
Going to an Indiana Fever Game with Kids
Going to a Chicago Sky Game with Kids
Tips for Attending a Seattle Storm Game with Kids
How to Buy WNBA Tickets
Kids’ Guide to Getting Caitlin Clark’s Autograph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Take Photos at the Bean
Touristy? Yes, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a lot of fun for kids (and adults), even when it’s crowded. It’s big enough that you can find a spot for a photo. Be sure to walk underneath! There are toilets here too.
Rock Out at a Concert
Check Ticketmaster and the Choose Chicago site for concerts and festivals during your visit. We were able to see Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field and it was incredible!
Go Swimming in Lake Michigan
The Ohio Street Beach on the shore of Lake Michigan is a perfect spot for a swim with kids. The beach is sandy, clean, and the entrance into the water is shallow. We saw plenty of families here and there are also facilities like toilets, places to eat, and lifeguards. It’s also really convenient to get to.
Walk Along the Waterfront
We walked along the Chicago River along the River Walk. It’s a pleasant place to check out some of the buildings along the water, get some exercise, or stop for a snack or cold drink.
We also spent time strolling along Lake Michigan on the Lakefront Trail (the section between Oak Street Beach and Ohio Street Beach.
Visit the Color Factory
The Color Factory is an “immersive art experience.” We debated between it and the Sloomoo Institute (Slime Museum), and slime won. However, the Color Factory is high on our list for a return visit. I think this place would be great for families with kids of different ages (it looks like it’s got something for everyone). I know my kids would love the sweet treets, mini gifts, and photos you get to take with you as souvenirs.
Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour
This type of walking tour is right up my 10-year-old’s alley, and probably your child’s too if he/she enjoys history-based tours with a little bit of ghosts thrown in. Learn about Chicago’s gangster past and really feel the mood on a night-time tour. Or, keep it a little lighter on a daytime tour.
Explore the Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most famous sites, and it can get crowded (it was really busy when we were there on a Sunday afternoon). But, there are a ton of things to see and do, including:
- Ferris wheel
- Live entertainment
- Restaurants and snacks
- Carnival rides
- Walk along the water and check out views of the lake and city
- Swim (Ohio St. Beach)
Good To Know: There’s a children’s museum here, but my 10-year-old felt he was a little too old for it. We were also happy to stay outside to soak up the gorgeous weather.
Play Mini Golf
My kids are always on the hunt for mini golf courses, and my son and I had a blast at the Chicago-themed mini golf course in Grant Park. It’s 18 holes, and there are benches (and shade) if you want to take a break and soak up the views of Chicago.
Take a River Tour
I had this booked and then decided to cancel because I’d planned too much and we just felt like wandering a bit more. Still, I’d love for us to take a river tour on a return trip. If your 10-year-old enjoys architecture and learning fun and interesting facts about a place, put this on your list!
Good To Know: We stopped in at the Maggie Daley Playground, and although my son felt too ‘big’ to play at the playground, we did enjoy walking around Grant Park (which Maggie Daley Playground is part of) and checking out the different areas. Our favorite spots were the mini golf, the mirrors, the curvy metal bridge, the Bean, and the forest walk. Grant Park is a great spot if you’ve got kids of multiple ages, or if you need to take a break on a sunny day (there are plenty of shady spots).
More Things to Do in Chicago with Your 10-Year-Old
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry – It’s a little bit of a trek to get to, as it’s further south in the city, but it has an excellent reputation as a kid-friendly, hands-on, high-quality museum. My 10-year-old really wanted to see the German WWII submarine (separate, timed ticket). There’s also a beach across the street (57th St. Beach).
Ichiban Candy & Snacks – We were drawn to this place because we’d just returned from a trip to Japan and we wanted to check out the offerings. Ichiban has candy and snacks from all over Asia. It’s in Chinatown.
Kayak on the Chicago River
Shop on the Magnificent Mile – My son was most excited about Nike and Adidas, but there are also department stores, a LEGO store, and there’s a comic book store on South Michigan Ave (on the other side of the river).
Museum of Ice Cream
Chicago Sports Museum – We were disappointed to find there’s not a dedicated Michael Jordan museum in Chicago (we loved the exhibit at the Jordan World of Flight in Tokyo), but the Chicago Sports Museum has Jordan memorabilia and interactive exhibits.
Michael Jordan Statue – Inside the United Center atrium, and you can see it during working hours as long as there’s not an event going on.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Shedd Aquarium
Wizard of Oz Park – Oz themed park with statues of the famous characters.
Skydeck – See Chicago from above at the Willis Tower. I had this reserved but ended up cancelling after reading reviews about the long lines (to get up the tower and then to see the views). We were on a short trip and didn’t want to spend hours (yes, apparently it can be that long) waiting.
Where to Stay in Chicago with a 10-Year-Old
When deciding where to stay in Chicago with my son, I was most concerned about:
- Safety
- Convenience -walking to places, being on train lines so we could move around the city and get to/from the airport quickly
We stayed at L7 Chicago, a Lotte hotel. It was a great location, and we loved the window seat with views of the city and the Chicago River. I’d definitely stay here again on a future trip to Chicago with kids.
Foods to Try in Chicago & Where to Eat Them
Deep Dish Pizza – Giordano’s
Non-Deep Dish Pizza – Big G’s pizza-by-the-slice near Wrigley Field
Hot Dogs – Kong Dog
Italian Beef Sandwiches – Mr. Beef (the Bear), we walked by but the line was insane. I did walk past slowly, hoping to catch a glimpse of chef.
Donuts – Stan’s Donuts (even gluten-free!), sit-in or takeaway
Cupcakes – Molly’s Cupcakes
Helpful Tip: If you need a break from pizza, hot dogs, and donuts, get a Mediterranean salad or bowl or wrap at Roti’s. You can dine-in or take your food away. We ended up here more than once!
Tips for Visiting Chicago with a 10-Year-Old
Let your child participate in the planning. You may find new activities or places that you hadn’t thought about. And, you may find your 10-year-old isn’t interested in sites that you thought he/she would be.
Make a deep-dish pizza reservation. Don’t expect to just walk into a place, especially if it’s got a good reputation for deep dish.
Look up local events. I used Choose Chicago’s Events Page and Ticketmaster to see events, concerts, and activities taking place during our stay.
Don’t stress about transport. We walked a ton and used the trains, but you can also use ride-sharing apps, take taxis, or take the bus.