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Chicago’s suburbs are packed with family-friendly destinations — from world-class children’s museums and nature playgrounds to giant indoor playlands, medieval dinner shows, and some of the Midwest’s best zoos.
Whether you’re planning a full weekend getaway or adding a suburban stop to your Chicago trip, this guide highlights the best places to take kids in the Chicago suburbs in 2026.
📍 Exploring downtown too?
Don’t miss our companion guide: Best Things to Do in Chicago With Kids
Let’s jump into the top spots across the North, West, and South Suburbs.
Quick Picks: Suburban Standouts
- Best All-Around Day: Schaumburg (LEGOLAND, Medieval Times, Bison’s Bluff, Enterrium)
- Best Nature Play: Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground (Schaumburg)
- Best Children’s Museum: DuPage Children’s Museum (Naperville)
- Best Indoor Playland: Peppa Pig World of Play (Schaumburg)
- Best Zoo Alternative: Brookfield Zoo (Riverside)
- Best Accessible Playground: Sensory Garden Playground (Lisle)
- Best Splash Pad: 95th Street Community Plaza (Naperville)
- Best Big Adventure: Blackberry Farm (Aurora)
- Best Free Playground: Deicke Park (Huntley)
North Suburbs: Top Spots for Kids
These northern communities — especially Schaumburg, Glenview, and Deerfield — offer some of the most popular family attractions in the region.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Schaumburg)
A must for LEGO lovers: giant brick models, interactive building zones, kid-sized LEGO worlds, two rides, and a 4D movie theater. Perfect for ages 3–10.
Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground (Schaumburg)
One of the Chicago area’s best nature play destinations. Highlights include a huge bison sculpture, waterfall stream, treehouse elements, climbing logs, slides, and an adjacent nature center.
If you only pick one playground in the suburbs — choose this one.
Meineke Park Challenge Course (Schaumburg)
A free, outdoor Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course with ramps, vault walls, floating boards, and a digital timing system. Great for older kids with energy to burn.
Peppa Pig World of Play (Schaumburg)
A toddler dreamland featuring 14 themed play zones like Peppa’s Treehouse, Grandpa Pig’s Train, and Miss Rabbit’s Supermarket. Soft play + imaginative play = happy little ones.
Enterrium at Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg)
Bowling, arcade games, ping-pong, and big family hangout spaces. Great for multigenerational outings or rainy days.
Medieval Times (Schaumburg)
Jousting knights, horses, falconry, and a full medieval-style dinner show. Kids love cheering for their knight — and eating with their hands.
Pilot Pete’s Restaurant (Schaumburg)
An aviation-themed restaurant overlooking the runway at Schaumburg Regional Airport. Kids can watch planes take off while they eat.
Exploritorium (Skokie)
A beloved children’s museum with hands-on exhibits, a giant Lite Brite wall, imaginary play spaces, and plenty of room to explore.
Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview)
Nationally recognized for its interactive, play-based exhibits. Perfect for toddlers through early elementary age.
Highlights include a kid-sized Whole Foods, “Hands On House,” pet clinic, and STEM areas.
Jackman Park (Glenview)
A charming, city-themed playground with a mini post office, grocery store, and train depot — plus the real Metra line running beside it.
Sunset Woods Park (Highland Park)
A standout suburban playground with a two-story treehouse, rocket ship structure, and T-Rex fossil dig zone.
Jewett Park (Deerfield)
Families love the tall slides, rope elements, skate park, indoor Treehouse Playzone, and seasonal outdoor ice skating.
Kids’ Castle Playground (Vernon Hills)
A massive multi-tower wooden castle, rope bridges, ADA swing, 50-foot zip line, and a dedicated toddler zone.
Lake Arlington Park (Arlington Heights)
Two playgrounds, a sensory garden with musical elements, lakeside walking paths, fitness stations, and a small beach.
Bowen Park (Waukegan)
A hillside playground with one of the longest tunnel slides in the suburbs and a two-level spiderweb climbing structure.
Deicke Park (Huntley)
A fully fenced, mini-village playground with railroad signals, pretend storefronts, a Discovery Zone, and tons of toddler-friendly areas.
West Suburbs: Big-Day Favorites
Naperville, Lisle, Glen Ellyn, and the surrounding communities offer some of the best children’s museums, nature play areas, and splash pads in the entire region.
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
One of the Midwest’s top zoos with more than 400 species across 216 acres. Great year-round and large enough to fill a full day.
Wonder Works Children’s Museum (Oak Park)
A shoe-free play museum designed for ages 0–8. Kids can explore hands-on discovery zones and imaginative play spaces.
Rehm Park (Oak Park)
An ADA-accessible playground featuring a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, roller slide, pipe slide, and a quiet Cozy Dome.
Randolph Tot Lot (Oak Park)
A sweet, toddler-sized playground with a conductor-themed “Randolph Zephyr” train kids can climb inside.
Sensory Garden Playground (Lisle)
One of the best accessible playgrounds in the Midwest. Features include a horse-themed sensory area, fragrance and sound gardens, a treehouse, and an accessible barn structure.
DuPage Children’s Museum (Naperville)
A top-rated children’s museum known for its STEM-based exhibits, water play, climbing zones, and engaging hands-on activities.
95th Street Community Plaza (Naperville)
A storybook-themed playground with shaded structures, whimsical climbing elements, and a fenced-in splash pad.
Knoch Park (Naperville)
A whimsical, Dr. Seuss-inspired playground with twisting slides, funky climbers, and a giant net structure.
Veterans Memorial Park (Westmont)
Features a Nordic-style ship structure, zip line, toddler area, and a variety of climbing elements.
Ty Warner Park (Westmont)
Galaxy-themed playground equipment, splash pad, sand area, concessions, and plenty of shaded seating.
Maryknoll Park Adventure Playground (Glen Ellyn)
A huge suburban favorite offering a 75-foot zip line, treehouse, climbing boulders, spinning net climber, splash pad, and an on-site café.
Turtle Splash Water Park (West Chicago)
A 5-acre water park with slides, waterfalls, a zero-depth pool, and shaded areas for little ones.
The Sandlot Universal Playground (Oak Brook)
Fully fenced and fully accessible, with ramps, roller slides, musical elements, and graduated climbing zones.
Enchanted Castle (Lombard)
Go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, inflatables, mini-bowling, arcade games, and a two-story playland.
Pottawatomie Park (St. Charles)
A riverfront park with playgrounds, sand play, nature gardens, walking paths, and optional paddlewheel riverboat tours.
Festival Park (Elgin)
A standout for big climbers with a massive rope web and trampoline built right into the structure. Includes a seasonal splash pad.
Blackberry Farm (Aurora)
A living history museum with farm animals, tunnels, rope bridges, themed playhouses, and an Adventure Playground that feels like a mini frontier town.
South Suburbs: Family-Friendly Favorites
These communities offer hidden gems, excellent museums, and inclusive playgrounds.
KidsWork Children’s Museum (Frankfort)
Hands-on exhibits like the Pet Vet, Imagination Theater, Art Works, and light-based sensory play.
Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
Interactive exhibits for younger children including Water Adventure, Beachcomber Island, and a pretend animal shelter.
Centennial Park (Orland Park)
Two playgrounds (one fenced), walking paths, a skate park, ice rinks, and plenty of open space.
Leigh Creek South Park (New Lenox)
An inclusive playground featuring a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, seated zip line, and multi-height basketball hoops.
Harvester Park (Burr Ridge)
A “Tree of Life” climbing structure, splash pad, sand play, music area, restrooms, and covered picnic areas — a perfect all-day spot.
Indoor Play + Rainy-Day Favorites
- Peppa Pig World of Play (Schaumburg)
- Enterrium (Schaumburg)
- Exploritorium (Skokie)
- Wonder Works Children’s Museum (Oak Park)
- KidsWork Children’s Museum (Frankfort)
- Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
- DuPage Children’s Museum (Naperville)
- Enchanted Castle (Lombard)
- Medieval Times (Schaumburg – dinner + show)
Easy Day Trip Itineraries (From Milwaukee or Chicago)
Schaumburg Play + LEGO Day
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center
- Peppa Pig World of Play
- Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground
- Dinner + fun at Enterrium or Medieval Times
Naperville Adventure Day
- DuPage Children’s Museum
- Lunch at Downtown Naperville
- 95th Street Community Plaza splash pad
- Knoch Park for climbing + fresh air
Glenview + Skokie Explorer Day
- Kohl Children’s Museum
- Jackman Park
- Exploritorium
St. Charles + Elgin Nature + Play Day
- Festival Park
- Pottawatomie Park
- Optional paddlewheel boat tour
Related Posts
- Best Things to Do in Chicago With Kids
A big-picture look at the top attractions, museums, parks, tours, and family experiences across the city. - Quirky Chicago Museums Your Kids Will Love
A roundup of Chicago’s most playful, immersive museums — including our guides to Sloomoo, the Museum of Ice Cream, WNDR, and more. - Best Playgrounds & Parks in Chicago
An overview of the top parks and playgrounds, including Maggie Daley Park in the heart of downtown, plus hidden gems and neighborhood favorites.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
