There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Illinois with kids. Whether you recently moved to the state or just want to help your children discover what makes the Land of Lincoln so incredibly awesome, these 10 kid-friendly attractions will undoubtedly do the trick! Introduce your youngest to the Land of Lincoln through animal encounters, epic playgrounds, and world-class attractions. This list includes activities for any season. Check them out, and be sure to tell us your favorite things to do in Illinois with kids in the comments below!

1. Snowstar Winter Park
Snowstar, 9500 126th St W, Andalusia, IL 61232, USA
Facebook/Snowstar Winter Park
Winter is the perfect time of year to enjoy this Quad City attraction. It features 40-foot jumps, tubes, bars, rails, boxes, and even a staircase to navigate, as well as 15 trails, 11 snow tubing lanes, and a massive terrain park. Tubing, skiing, and snowboarding can be enjoyed at this amazing Illinois attraction. Talk about a day of snow much fun!
2. Boo Castle Park
101 Homewood Dr #99, Carbondale, IL 62902, USA
Facebook/Boo Castle Park
Southern Illinoisans know that this magical park is one of the most kid-friendly attractions in the state no matter your age. You'll think you're walking into a fairy tale when you enter this world of knights, castles, and dragons. Check out a marvelous oasis that inspires imagination in Illinois.
3. Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort
Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock, 2643 IL-178, North Utica, IL 61373, USA
Facebook/Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort
It doesn't have to be summer to enjoy this water park in Illinois Everything from the water slides to the lazy river are all inside this 24,000 square-foot area. An arcade, guestrooms, luxury cabins, playgrounds, outdoor mini golf, a restaurant, and nature trails make this a fabulous vacation for the whole family that your kids will want to take every year. Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort is kid-tested and approved!
4. The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA
Google Prateek Patel
Not many people outside of the state realize that nature is one of the most beautiful things about Illinois. Visit this premier tree museum in Chicagoland that is currently being graced with unique exhibits that are each more whimsical than the last. Get more information about Morton Arboretum in this article.
5. Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary
Critter Camp, 824 Church St, German Valley, IL 61039, USA
Facebook/Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary
If you hadn't noticed yet, Illinois has many kid-friendly attractions for animals lovers. The Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary is open by appointment only and usually features more than 30 animals. Foxes, hedge hogs, tortoises, ferrets, wolves, bunnies, lizards, birds, and many other creatures are always being cared for, and you can learn more about them at this amazing, kid-friendly destination in Illinois.

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6. Aikman Wildlife Adventure
Aikman Wildlife Adventure, 125 N Co Rd 425E, Arcola, IL 61910, USA
Facebook/Aikman Wildlife Adventure
Another animal favorite in the Land of Lincoln, once warmer weather rolls around, take your young ones on a wildlife safari that features more than 50 different species. Llamas, camels, zebras, cougars, ostriches, rams, and many more critters can be seen up close here. Drive through with your own car or hop aboard a safari wagon. Learn more about this one-of-a-kind wildlife adventure in Illinois.
7. Big Run Wolf Ranch
Big Run Wolf Ranch, 14857 Farrell Rd, Lockport, IL 60441, USA
Facebook/Big Run Wolf Ranch
If your kids really love exotic animals, you've got to bring them to Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport, Illinois. Tigers, bears, wolves, and even deer and ponies are featured at this interactive exhibit. Your kids will never forget their up-close-and-personal, once-in-a-lifetime experience at Big Run Wolf Ranch.
8. Bison's Bluff Nature Playground
Bison's Bluff Nature Playground, 1111 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194, USA
Google/Jessica S
We love the Great Outdoors here in Illinois, and there are so many wonderful ways to introduce our youngest residents to the magic or Mother Nature. In Schaumburg, nature-loving youth will never want to play at another park after experiencing this marvelous spot. Everything is custom designed to look like real marvels in nature, such as caves, tree roots, and all sorts of critters. Especially if you live in a city, this park is a nice escape. Learn more about Bison's Bluff Nature Playground and plan a trip ASAP.
9. Kid's Kingdom
Meadow Acres Drive, Meadow Acres Dr, McLeansboro, IL 62859, USA
Google/Kenny Cook
This colorful, whimsical, outdoor playground is one of the best kid-friendly attractions for children who love to be outdoors. It is the perfect place to play pretend and features a pretend train, a wooden castle, and a make-believe village. There are also swings, slides, and many things to climb as well as a pavilion for events. Kid's Kingdom here is sure to become a new favorite kid-friendly destination for your family!
10. Overlook Adventure Park
Overlook Adventure Park, 2501 E Nelson Park Rd, Decatur, IL 62521, USA
Facebook/Overlook Adventure Park
Open in the spring and summer, this unique sky trail has something for everyone and every skill level. In addition to a world of zip lines, tight ropes, and bridges, there is also mini golf, batting cages, and a snack shack to enjoy. For more details about Overlook Adventure Park, be sure to hop over to this recent article!

It sure is good to be a kid in Illinois, isn’t it? For more fun things to do in Illinois with kids that your crew is sure to enjoy, check out these nine family-friendly restaurants in Illinois everyone will adore.

What other kid-friendly attractions do your children love? Share your favorites with us below in the comments below – we always love learning about new-to-us places to visit with our crew!

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Things to do in Illinois with kids

Sarah M. | August 17, 2022

What are some fun family-friendly day trips in Illinois?

Have you been searching for family-friendly day trips in the Land of Lincoln? You've come to the right place! Here at OnlyInYourState, we love nothing better than putting together a good, old-fashioned road trip. Because who doesn't love a road trip? For a super cool road trip with a super sweet ending, this museum and ice cream combination is a great kid-friendly day trip. Together, they make for the ultimate kid-friendly day trip in Illinois! Check it out and prepare yourself for a super-charged day of adventure.

For a longer, multi-day road trip in Illinois that's perfect for families, this epic adventure fits the bill. The trip is a total of 137 miles with 3.5 hours of drive time, and we've split it into two days to make things extra easy and manageable for those with small kids in tow. This amazing family-friendly road trip in Illinois hits kid-approved spots like a train-themed diner, plane-themed restaurant, lively zoo, dinosaur-themed park, and night at Great Wolf Lodge. What could be better?

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