The Best Things to do in Illinois with kids and teens
The towering buildings…that’s what many think of when they think of Illinois. But so much of Illinois is not skyscrapers. There is so much interesting history art and culture to be found in this heartland state. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of Illinois inspire you as you explore Illinois with kids and teens.
Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about in Illinois. These Illinois family travel destinations are great places to add for an exciting family travel itinerary of America’s heartland. If you want to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Illinois with kids and teens.
Chicago’s History & Architecture
Chicago is one of the largest and most populated cities in the United States. Known as the ‘windy city’, it is home to Wrigley Field, as well as the Chicago River. It has many attractions for visitors and tourists, to travel around and see – including the Mississippi River, Rock State Park, and Maggie Daley Park. One of the oldest and most popular of all the attractions in Chicago is the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower. The Chicago Office of Tourism is staffed to take care of and protect the gallery. Chicago Public Art Program is curator of the gallery.
The Historic Water Tower
The Historic Water Tower is Chicago’s most beloved landmark and it has been for over 100 years. It was first designed and built by an architect by the name of William W. Boyington. Today, it stands as a memorial to the lives that were lost in the Tragic Chicago Fire. A little bit of history on the Historic Water Tower which dates back to 1869 when it was first built to be the home of a 138-foot-tall piece of standpipe. This enormous pipe was also three feet in diameter. The purpose of the pipe was to maintain and equalize pressure and to knock down the amount of water that was flowing through all of the main water pipes in Chicago.
The tower was built out of “Joliet” limestone, that was made into blocks, from a rock quarry in Illinois. This was probably the best idea someone had back then because history tells of a great fire that broke out in Chicago in 1871 and leveled almost all of the buildings except for this tower. The day after the fire, people used this Water Tower as a guide to look through all the ash and ruins for items that had belonged to them.
A City Monument
The tower then became a city monument because of the city’s waterworks engineers’ spirit and drive to help the people who had lost nearly everything they had owned.
The enormous tower is actually constructed in what people call “castellated gothic style”. The saw-toothed looking tower was drawn up and designed by Boyington to captivate one’s sense of a medieval castle. The octagonal form symbolizes Gothic elements, and the slenderness of the tower is supposed to symbolize a “minaret quality”.
The huge sandpipe was eventually removed in 1911 after it became apparent that there was no longer any use for it. The enormous eye-catching spiral staircase that went all the way around the sandpipe was left alone. The spiral staircase is still there, intact, today. The use of the staircase these days is to reach the new tower that was built called the “Cupola Tower”.
Things To Do In Illinois With Kids And Teens – Road Trip!
Many people have been to Chicago. have you? Maybe you are ready to let your family experience everything Illinois has to offer. If that’s the case, then an Illinois with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS) you can wander wherever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.
In our family, road tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Illinois. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Illinois!
Historical Sites & Parks
- Willis Tower (Sears Tower): Skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois.
- Millennium Park: Park in Chicago, Illinois.
- Chicago Park District: A section of Chicago, Illinois, with over 580 parks.
- Cloud Gate: Sculpture in Chicago, Illinois.
- Starved Rock State Park: State Park in Oglesby, Illinois.
Museums & Galleries
- Art Institute of Chicago: Art museum in Chicago, Illinois.
- Museum of Science and Industry: Museum in Chicago, Illinois.
- Adler Planetarium: Museum dedicated to the study of astronomy and astrophysics, located in Chicago, Illinois.
- Discovery Center Museum
- Chicago Children’s Museum
Gardens, Zoo & Aquariums
- Shedd Aquarium: Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois.
- Brookfield Zoo: Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois.
- Lincoln Park Zoo: Zoo in Chicago, Illinois.
- Morton Arboretum: Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Botanical garden in Glencoe, Illinois.
Add These To Your Itinerary
- Navy Pier: Museum and entertainment district in Chicago, Illinois.
- Six Flags Great America: Theme park in Gurnee, Illinois.
- Water Tower Place: Skyscraper and shopping mall in Chicago, Illinois.
- Magnificent Mile: Shopping and dining district in Chicago, Illinois.
- Skydeck Chicago: Observation deck in Chicago, Illinois, located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.
- Add a water park. there are several to choose from in including Great Wolf Lodge
Illinois offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. It’s a great place for the whole family to learn history and explore places while engaging in fun things to do. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting?
Keep an eye out for opportunities for free admission, especially for little kids. You’ll find that a splash pad on a hot summer day and a chance to explore natural areas are perfect family fun for homeschooling families.
Older kids may enjoy the exotic animals at the zoo as well as of ‘foodie’ trip that includes Chicago hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. Add in a famous museum or the botanical gardens and it is a homeschoolers paradise! Also, don’t miss the great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Illinois.
Illinois Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning
Make the most of learning about Illinois by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Illinois State Study pack into your pre- and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.
Illinois – Use The World As Your Classroom
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Illinois State Study Pack$11.00
The Illinois State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Wisconsin at home (virtually) or on the road.
Learn About Illinois’ Famous People
Presidents
- Abraham Lincoln – President
- Ronald Wilson Reagan – President
- Barack Obama – President
Writers
- Ernest Hemingway – Writer
- Shel Silverstein – Poet
- Carl Sandburg – Writer
- Ray Bradbury – Writer
Others
- Black Hawk – Native American Warrior
- Hillary Rodham Clinton – First Lady/Politician
- Miles Dewey Davis III – Musician
- John Deere – Inventor
- Walt Disney – Entrepreneur/Animator
- Wild Bill Hickok – Frontiersman
Learn About Illinois’ Famous Landmarks:
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Plus the historical sites and parks listed above!
You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 3rd grade to 12th grade.
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Illinois State Study Pack$11.00
The Illinois State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.
Use The World As Your Classroom
Answers to Illinois Family Travel Questions
Illinois is a great state to visit with kids, offering a variety of family-friendly attractions, from world-class museums to amusement parks and zoos. Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in the Land of Lincoln.
The best time to visit Illinois with kids is during the spring (April-June) or fall (September-October), when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Summers can be hot and humid in some parts of the state, so be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. Winters can be cold, especially in northern Illinois, so dress warmly and be prepared for snow and ice.
Here are some of the best family-friendly attractions in Illinois:
🌟Chicago is home to a variety of kid-friendly attractions, including Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Field Museum of Natural History.
🌟Silver Dollar City is a theme park located near Branson, Missouri, and offers a variety of rides, shows, and attractions based on the history of the Ozark Mountains.
🌟Go Ape! Adventure Forest is located in multiple locations in Illinois, and offers a variety of treetop adventures, including zip lines, rope courses, and Tarzan swings.
🌟The Morton Arboretum is a 1,700-acre arboretum located near Lisle, Illinois, and offers a variety of educational programs and activities for families.
🌟The Lincoln Museum is located in Springfield, Illinois, and houses exhibits about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Exploring The Upper Midwest US?
Missouri, Iowa & Indiana are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.
Explore More!
- Best Must-See Museums for Teens Around the World
- Trip Planning Guide for Teens: Practical Travel Tips
- 51 United States Worksheet Packs for Kids & Teens
Going On A Trip? Grab This!
