International Day of Families celebrates the family unit in all its various forms! In honor of this special day, we have gathered a list of family-friendly activities of all shapes and sizes available in Chicago this spring and summer. Take this chance to see new sights, learn new things, and most importantly, have fun! Scroll on to read the full guide.

Urban Adventure Quest

Turn Chicago into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. This is a COVID-friendly outside activity with no tour guide needed!

Play Makers Laboratory Theatre

Founded in 1997 as Barrel of Monkeys, PlayMakers Laboratory has spent over two decades providing vital arts education to Chicago elementary schools. The company’s ensemble conducts six-week creative writing workshops with 3rd through 7th grade students, then brings the young authors’ stories to life as raucous sketches, songs and movement pieces, performing first for students in their schools and then for the public.

Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the country! Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, MSI is a Chicago must-see. You’ll experience mind blowing, hands-on exhibits and have the chance to navigate through a mirror maze; manipulate a 40-foot tornado; take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel; transmit your pulse to a 13-foot, 3-D, beating heart; and much more!

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

There's always something new to explore at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Bask in the warmth of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, home to more than 1,000 butterflies, see live turtles, meet gorgeous exotic birds, and more. With over 15 exhibits to discover, the Nature Museum is the ideal family getaway, right in Chicago!

Chicago Architecture Center

The Chicago Architecture Center offers a fabulous overview of the history of Chicago’s groundbreaking architecture. It’s also the perfect launch pad for discovering the city’s stunning buildings and their enduring legacy, making you feel right at home in the midst of all those skyscrapers. Enjoy walking through the skyscraper gallery or embark on a river tour to see all of Chicago’s most famous buildings!

DuSable Museum of African American History

Celebrating over 50 years of sharing history, DuSable Museum of African American History is the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans and Americans of African descent. Exhibits, concerts, films, children’s events and literary discussions are just a few of the institution’s various programs offered!

National Museum of Mexican Art

The National Museum of Mexican Art aims to showcase the beauty and richness of Mexican culture by sponsoring events and presenting exhibitions that exemplify the majestic variety of visual and performing arts in the Mexican culture; to develop, conserve and preserve a significant permanent collection of Mexican art; to encourage the professional development of Mexican artists; and offer art education programs. Today, the NMMA stands out as one of the most prominent first-voice institutions for Mexican art and culture in the United States..

Chicago Food Planet Tours

Chicago Food Planet offers food tasting and cultural walking Chicago tours, which combine delicious food and drink tastings with some serious fun in Chicago’s most delicious, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Suitable for all age groups and fitness levels, you’ll experience delectable foods from one-of-a-kind specialty food stores and ethnic eateries while receiving an insider’s view into the culture, history and architecture that defines the Windy City. Try the Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour for kid-friendly Chicago pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, and more!

Maggie Daley Park

Located in the Loop community, Maggie Daley is a new 20-acre park located on the spot of the former Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Maggie Daley is a magnificent recreation center offering a children's playground, a climbing wall, mini golf, picnic groves, a skating ribbon, tennis courts and a formal garden. The Maggie Daley fieldhouse hosts Chicago Park District programming, including the Park District's popular Summer Day Camp. 

The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park

Stretching across 300-acres of historically significant land, The Forge features the largest aerial challenge course, tallest climbing towers, and longest ziplines in the tri-state area. They offer mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboat excursions for grown-ups and older kids, and there is also a designated kid's activity zone that promises to excite and engage every young adventurer, in addition to promoting an active outdoor lifestyle.

Lincoln Park Zoo

See roaring lions, playful meerkats and majestic gorillas just minutes from downtown Chicago. Lincoln Park Zoo is free, open and amazing every day of the year. Go nose-to-nose with gorillas and chimpanzees, howl with red wolves, peer into a black bear den and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Africa with wild dogs, pygmy hippos and black rhinos. Beyond providing a wild home to hundreds of species, Lincoln Park Zoo also operates one of the largest zoo-based conservation and science programs in the country.

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum offers exhibitions and public programs that illuminate the city’s past, engage the city’s present, and point to Chicago’s future. Immerse yourself in stories of historic figures like Abraham Lincoln and Vivian Maier, enjoy the multiple permanent Chicago exhibits on display, and view never-before-seen artifacts from the city’s storied history.

Navy Pier

Undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions, this year-round destination on Lake Michigan offers special events, sights, and activities that span all ages and interests. From amusement rides and games, to mazes and children’s museums, to bike tours and boat cruises, Navy Pier offers something for every family to enjoy. Be sure to check out the new Pixar Putt mini golf course coming to the pier this summer!

Happy International Day of Families, and have fun exploring all the family-friendly adventures that Chicago has to offer!