Family-Friendly
DuPage

Looking for fun activities to keep your kids entertained? We’ve got you covered! Explore our curated list of kid-friendly adventures, with something for every comfort level and interest. Here's to making your DuPage County adventures fun and exciting!

1. Enchanted Castle Entertainment Complex and Haunted Trails Entertainment Center
Experience fun at two locations! These entertainment complexes provide countless memorable moments for kids and adults alike: indoor go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf, over 200 old-school arcade games, and more.

2. DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM)
For 30 years, DCM has been inspiring children and adults with experiences that encourage curiosity, discovery, and collaboration. Through exhibits, programs, and special events, every experience is designed to help children develop a strong foundation of creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence.

DCM is also dedicated to being an accessible and inclusive environment for children to thrive through extraordinary learning experiences. Adaptive Play Time provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers.

3. Let's Go to the Movies
Be transported into the cinematic universe! From the excitement of choosing snacks like buttery popcorn and candy to sitting in comfy seats with friends or family, the entire experience feels special. Go see the movies everyone's been talking about (we're looking at you, Wicked) at Marcus Addison Cinema and Tivoli Theatre during the winter.

4. History for Kids at the DuPage County Historical Museum
Museums offer families a chance to explore, discover, and spark curiosity together through hands-on exhibits and engaging stories. At the DuPage County Historical Museum, you and your child can interact in a number of ways and make connections with history.

A relevant exhibit that kids can connect with is all about a girl named Barbie. The "Before Barbie" exhibit introduces patrons to the Museum’s collection of dolls and toys that children would have played with for decades before the iconic Barbie and other contemporary toys were invented. If your child loves trains, the DuPage Society of Model Engineers operates the model railroad at the Museum on the third and fifth Saturday of the month. The layout covers more than 2,000 feet of track and highlights some of DuPage County’s landmarks in a landscape full of surprises.

5. Strike Out with Bowling
Bowling is the quintessential activity for kids and adults alike. Organize a gathering with their friends, or enjoy an outing as a family. At Pinstripes, enjoy their full-service Italian-American food and beverage menu while taking in the entertainment and excitement of bowling. Or, enjoy an old-school game of bowling at Bowlero or Stardust Bowl, one of the largest bowling alleys in the United States with 84 lanes.

6. Cooking Classes for Kids
For the little chef in your life, nothing beats a cooking class! Cooking classes are a good way for children to learn initiative, delegation, and following directions, all while having fun. The North American Pizza and Culinary Academy, also known as NAPCA, offers cooking classes specifically for children where they make whatever the instructor has picked. Want to organize a friend outing where everyone can unleash (and taste) their creativity? Billy Bricks offers pizza making classes where you learn how to make your own wood-fired oven pizza.

four tween boys making and decorating cupcakes. two are blonde, two are brunette.
Photo Credit: North American Pizza and Culinary Academy

7. Express Your Creative Side
When it comes to creativity, there’s the art of food—and then there’s the art of self-expression through actual artwork. At the Elmhurst Art Museum’s Education Center, dynamic classes are available each season, designed to inspire and nurture artistic exploration for youth and adults alike. These engaging programs create a foundation for lifelong creativity.

In Lisle, creativity flourishes at Jennifer Rizzo Design Company, which offers unique classes blending art with design. Nearby, Shiny Squirrel Art Studio invites participants to unleash their imagination through hands-on art workshops in a welcoming, vibrant space.

there are five young girls sitting around a table painting. They are all happy to be there.
Photo Credit: Elmhurst Art Museum

8. Eat and Play at Dave & Buster's
Dave & Buster's, located in Yorktown Center in Lombard, is a great spot for families looking for a fun-filled outing with kids of all ages. The ticket-redemption system adds excitement as kids can trade their winnings for prizes. Beyond the games, the on-site restaurant offers a kid-friendly menu, making it easy to refuel after hours of play. Whether it's a casual day out or a special celebration, Dave & Buster's promises a dynamic mix of gaming, food, and fun.

9. The Morton Arboretum
Looking for something just for kids? The Children's Garden at The Morton Arboretum has so much to offer. Splash through secret streams, climb colossal acorns, and slide down giant tree roots all day long. Give your child open-access to connect with nature in a safe and kid-friendly environment designed with them in mind.

10. Book Your Family Getaway!
Book a family-fun weekend to experience all that DuPage County has to offer. With more than 100 hotels – featuring a mix of resorts, extended stays, and upscale modern boutiques – DuPage County offers a variety of places to stay for your weekend outing. Some hotels even offer specific packages for your stay.

Want to check out more family-friendly events? Check out our Calendar of Events, as new events are added weekly.