20 Places to Take the Kids

Traveling with kids in tow? There’s an array of family-friendly fun to be had in the Chicago Southland, whether you are 1 or 100. Let us be the background for some fun family adventures.

1 - Haunted Trails Family Amusement Park (Burbank and Joliet)

Have loads of family fun at one of two locations. Both are year-round family entertainment centers featuring go-karts, rides, games, batting cages and miniature golf. The Joliet location also includes laser tag, escape rooms and a picnic grove.

2 - Pennsy Greenway (Lansing)

Bring the bikes along for a fun adventure exploring some of the dedicated bike trails in the Chicago Southland. Take a family ride on the Pennsy Greenway, where you can stop in downtown Lansing to have a bite to eat, enjoy an ice cream treat at Gayety’s Ice Cream & Chocolates, take in a free concert or festival at Fox Pointe or watch some cool skateboarding moves at the new downtown skate park. You can also pedal on across the state line into Indiana.

3 - The Plush Horse (Palos Park)

The original Plush Horse in Palos Park is the place that sweet dreams are made of. Stop into this charming, throwback ice cream parlor for a creamy, frozen treat.

4 - Centennial Park Aquatic Center (Orland Park)

With a zero-depth pool, two body slides, a 200-foot flume slide, platform clip jump and lazy river, there’s some splashing good fun for all ages and adventure levels.

5 - Sand Ridge Nature Center (South Holland)

Indoor and outdoor activities can be found at Sand Ridge Nature Center, where you can take a family hike, see historic buildings, seek out birds and wildlife, and explore educational exhibits and animal habitats.

6 - Bengtson’s Farm (Homer Glen)

Fall wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Bengtson’s Farm. Since 1981, they’ve been offering fun for the whole family with a petting zoo, a haunted barn, rides, food, a pumpkin patch, pig racing, music and more. During the summer (June 20-August 3: F-Su) enjoy SummerFest.

7 - Lake Katherine Nature Center (Palos Heights)

Enjoy nature with the kids as you walk, canoe, fish and explore the grounds. A man-made waterfall is fun to watch and is a beautiful backdrop to snap some shots of the family.

8 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago (Brookfield)

Plan for a full day to see as much as you can at this highly acclaimed zoological park. Ride the Motor Safari. See a dolphin show. Engage in some feeding adventures and animal encounters. Take a spin on one of the country’s largest hand-carved wooden carousels.

9 - Ball Fore Miniature Golf and Batting Cages (Chicago Ridge)

The Chicago Ridge Park District operates this facility, where you’ll find one of the most challenging mini golf courses around. There are also batting cages for baseball and softball with options for setting placement, pitch and speed.

10 - Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (University Park)

Spend some time leisurely making your way through this 100-acre space full of large-scale pieces that will wow you and wear out the kids.

11 - Sky Zone (Orland Park)

There’s so much fun to be had at this indoor gym with zip lining, trampoline basketball, a foam zone, trapeze, climbing wall, ninja warrior course and more.

12 - Windy City ThunderBolts (Crestwood)

See a professional baseball game at an easy-to-get-to location with free parking, reasonably priced tickets, fun promotions and family-friendly activities.

13 - Will County Fair (Peotone)

Who doesn’t love a county fair? Mark your calendar for this annual event of livestock, rides, music, food and more.

14 - Gizmo’s Fun Factory (Orland Park)

You’ll find more than 47,000 square feet of fun at this family entertainment center. Rock climbing, zip lining, bumper cars, laser tag, a soft-play maze and a total of 70 arcade games are just calling your name.

15 - Fishing

Put down the electronics and pick up a pole. You’ll create many lasting memories when you spend time fishing together at places like Horsetail Lake in Palos Park, Arrowhead Lake in Palos Heights and Wampum Lake in Thornton.

16 - In the Game Hollywood Park (Crestwood)

This family fun center and restaurant has a chef-crafted menu and modern arcade that will provide hours of action. Go-karts, rides and miniature golf are among the fun activities you’ll find here.

17 - Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center (Olympia Fields)

Looking for some adventure? Irons Oaks is a 38-acre nature preserve offering such activities as high ropes, wall climbing, crate climbing, skiing and snowboarding.

18 - Dave & Buster’s (Orland Park)

This newly renovated arcade, sports bar and restaurant appeals as much to the grown-ups as the kids. With a nice cocktail menu and lots of big TVs for watching the game, this is a spot that mom and dad will be happy to hang at and where even unimpressed teens will join in on the fun.

19 - Konow’s Farm (Homer Glen)

This seasonal fall farm offers oodles of fun for families, from a corn maze to an animal yard to exciting rides and more. There’re also indoor activities for those rainy days.

20 - Homewood Science Center (Homewood)

Take advantage of one of the free Science Saturday drop-in events, where kids can tap into their creative minds and engage in some educational play.