These are the best winter break activities in Chicago to help your family make the most of school vacation. Here are 25 indoor play spaces, museums, and seasonal activities taking place in Chicago in December 2025.
I have already written two comprehensive lists that might help you plan some winter break activities in Chicago. My list of the Best Things to Do in Chicago includes all of the best museums, activities, playgrounds, and more. My guide to Chicago Christmas Activities shares all of the best seasonal things to do.
Best Winter Break Activities in Chicago
Some of these activities are only taking place for a limited time and are specific to 2025.
The Balloon Museum
New to Chicago, and only here until April, the Balloon Museum is a massive space with a series of immersive, interactive, inflatable art installations. It's fun for people of all ages, and kids especially love the massive ball pit (it's the largest in the city).
The Paw Patrol Experience at CAMP
My five-year-old loved this Paw Patrol play space at CAMP in Lincoln Park. Children get to take on a series of challenges inspired by Paw Patrol characters, including Skye's Zipline, Rubble's Construction Zone, and Ryder's Raceway. You do need to book timed tickets in advance.
Winterland and Christkindlmarket at Gallagher Way
Skip the long lines downtown and head to the Christkindlmarket at Gallagher Way and Winterland at Wrigley Field. Sip hot chocolate, browse the shops, go ice skating, and even visit Santa!
Ryan Learning Center at the Art Institute
The children's learning space at the Art Institute is free and open to the public (no, you don't need a museum ticket to enter). It's open daily from 11 - 3, but closed on Tuesdays. From December 26-29, they are hosting Cocoa and Crafts, where children can sip cocoa while doing a surprise craft activity.
Ice Skating at the Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon or the Millennium Park Rink
Chicago has two downtown ice rinks. The ice ribbon is excellent for more advanced skaters. Both rinks offer some free sessions when you bring your own skates, and reduced prices when you bring your own skates.
Passport to Santa
This pop-up North Pole experience at Pioneer Court features crafts and activities for kids, culminating in a meet-and-greet with Santa. Book tickets online in advance.
Holiday Afternoon Tea at the Drake
Carolers make this holiday tea extra festive! A children's tea menu with hot chocolate is available.
Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker takes place during the time of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair at the spectacular Lyric Opera House. Both matinee and evening shows are available the week of Christmas.
Play Street Museum
This tiny town playspace in the South Loop has a doctor's office, firehouse, grocery store, and Santa is making some appearances here on Sunday, December 21st.
Wonderplay
Similar to the Play Street Museum, Wonderplay in Avondale is best for young children. The space has a library for littles, an indoor playground, and a coffee shop.
Beatrix Potter Tea Party at the Chicago Children's Museum
Four classic Beatrix Potter stories come to life in this play for young children. There are performances on December 23rd and 24th in addition to weekend shows.
Zoolights
This is one of the essential Chicago Christmas activities, so I had to include it among the best winter break activities in Chicago. The zoo is bedecked with thousands of lights and holiday decorations through January 4th. Tickets are free on Mondays when you pre-register.
Elston Electric
Part of the Salt Shed complex, Elston Electric is a huge arcade with a full bar and kid-friendly menu options.
Color Vibes
This Bucktown craft studio invites children to unleash their inner artist with a variety of craft projects, including pom pom art, painting, ceramics, rug tufting, and jewelry making.
Sloomoo Institute
If your kids love slime, this is the place to go. They can play with slime, jump in slime, make slime, and you can even pay extra to have slime dumped over their heads. Be aware that the dyes in the slime can stain clothing - we didn't have any issues, but we saw a girl in a white skirt that looked quite orange by the time she left.
Chicago Children's Museum
The Chicago Children's Museum on Navy Pier has expanded hours and special activities during Christmas break. Kids can attend a dance party, make holiday dough sculptures, and more!
Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest
This annual family-friendly event brings rides, bumper cars, a kiddie train, and ice skating to Festival Hall inside Navy Pier. Tickets also include a ride on the Centennial Wheel.
Nature Museum
The nature museum has two large water play areas and an indoor play space for young kids. We like how this museum tends to be calm and quiet.
The Color Factory
We've taken our daughter to Color Factory several times - and she's asking to go back. It's engaging and interactive for people of all ages. It's in the lower level of the Sear's (Willis) Tower, and you can opt buy tickets to ride the express elevator to the top of the building and admire the views of the city after your visit.
WNDR
Experience 15 immersive art installations at WNDR in the West Loop.
The Museum of Ice Cream
This experiential museum has a giant sprinkle pool, and guests can have unlimited amounts of ice cream. This holiday season the museum is decorated with pink-themed holiday decorations. The Museum of Ice Cream is next to the Passport to Santa pop-up, so it would be easy to do both.
The Museum of Science and Industry
This museum is absolutely gigantic, and it's easy to spend several hours here. My daughter loves the play area and the farming exhibit, and my father-in-law could spend an entire day in the WWII German U-boat. At Christmastime, the museum hosts an exhibit of Christmas trees representing different countries. Currently, there is a traveling Spider-Man exhibit which is geared toward older children and adults (it isn't very interactive and requires lots of reading).
Altitude Trampoline Park
Altitude has two Chicago locations, one on the border of West Town and the West Loop, and another in Roscoe Village. I like Altitude because they offer "Toddler Time" for children ages 6 and under.
Urban Air
An indoor adventure park with obstacle courses and trampolines.
Skyzone
Located in the old Buy Buy Baby space in Lincoln Park, Skyzone has a warrior course, a climbing wall, a zip line, and a massive slide that make it popular with older kids.
Have a wonderful winter break! We are planning to visit Passport to Santa and to attend the Joffrey Ballet!
