Chicago’s nickname is the Windy City, and sometimes that wind comes alongside rain, thunder, and lightning. When faced with a wet autumn day, you know you’re a parent in Chicago if you’re planning activities that will keep kids active while also keeping them dry. Luckily, Chicago has a wide variety of indoor play options for less than optimal weather conditions.
When rain showers or snow are keeping you inside, you can simply plan indoor activities for family fun. For ideas about what to do on rainy days in Chicago, we polled parents at The Gardner School of Bucktown, The Gardner School of Lincoln Park, and The Gardner School of West Loop to find out their favorite family activities for rainy days. They came up with six can’t-miss rainy day destinations that Chicago kids will love.
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Chicago kids are looking forward to the opening of the towering Cloud Buster exhibit, which features a 37-foot amalgamation of structural steel. Kids can climb all the way into the sky and feel like they’re touching the clouds. Other popular exhibits include the Art Studio, where kids can express their artistic imaginations and the Dinosaur Exhibition, where mini-archeologists dig up ancient relics. Daily classes and events help your child learn new concepts and practice new skills. Sure, it’s called the Chicago Children’s Museum, but we know a few adults who are pretty fond of it as well.
Altitude Trampoline Park
If the weather outside is too rainy for outdoor play, this is a great option for indoor fun. Altitude goes beyond the offerings of a simple bounce house. There’s a Ninja Course with foam blocks that are a blast to dive into, and a Recreation Wall where your kids can practice their wall-climbing skills. Extreme Dodgeball takes a favorite game to the next level when kids can bounce and twist out of the way of incoming missiles. If you’re looking to host a party, it’s a great place to take a group of energetic kids who need a place to run.
Shedd Aquarium & Museum
Programming for kids at Shedd Aquarium ranges from Asleep with the Fishes, an overnight aquarium experience, to Camp Shedd, an all-day adventure in aquatics. Playing outside in the rain during a thunderstorm can be a little too damp, but kids experience all sorts of water-themed play at Shedd. With many free admission days every month, your future marine biologist can make a visit to see her favorite species again and again.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
With daily story times and a butterfly release, there are events every day for kids of all ages. Sometimes children naturally fear animals that crawl or slither, such as bugs and snakes. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the perfect place to help your child learn that crawling creatures aren’t scary — they’re friends!
Little Beans Cafe
On rainy or snowy days, indoor playgrounds are a blessing, and Little Beans Cafe tops the list for Chicago parents. Little Beans offers fantastic coffee drinks and killer snacks, so parents and kids can fuel up before an enthusiastic play session. Kids love the “mini village” area where they can run errands, go grocery shopping, or visit the firehouse while a parent watches from nearby. Kids will quickly forget about storm clouds as they’re meeting new friends and perfecting their motor skills through climbing, balancing, running, and jumping. If you’re looking for a more structured play experience, Little Beans offers classes, events, and activities to fit all ages and interests.
Bixbee Imagination Station
The Bixbee is an experiential play space that offers themed rooms for kids to explore and discover. With multicolored lights and mythical animals, children feel transplanted to a magical space where they’ll want to spend all day. Make sure your smartphone is charged, as you’ll want to take tons of pictures in every different room. If you’ve always wondered what an exhibit designed by preschoolers would look like, now you know. There’s a unicorn, a glowing tree, elephants, cats, and even a couch shaped like a mouth! Help inspire creativity in your kids with a visit to this special exhibit.
An Exceptional Chicago Preschool Experience
Our Gardner School preschool locations in Chicago are trusted by parents all over the greater metro area. We love being a place where children can play and learn on rainy days. Our interactive curriculum, academic focus, and highly trained teachers can keep kids engaged even in the stormiest weather. To learn more about how we fulfill our mission to Chicago families, set up a time to explore our locations. We’d love to meet you and your little one any day—rain or shine.
