Fun Things to Do in Chicago With Teens

Lisa R:  Beginners will have so much fun at this three-hour mud making event. Student will complete 2 - 5 vessels and pick glaze colors for their fully functional wares.

Skydeck is located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, the tallest building in Chicago. This 360-degree experience offers a fun way of experiencing the city, and those who dare can walk out onto The Ledge, a glass balcony that extends 4 feet away from the building.

Shila:  iFLY Chicago is indoor skydiving - which is the simulation of free-falling in a vertical wind tunnel. Certified and highly-trained instructors invite you to safely enjoy your flight session, and there is no experience needed. There's no jumping; you simply float from the floor and on a column of air.

Shila:  The mission of the Young Eagles Program is simply to inspire young kids to experience the world of aviation. EAA member volunteers accomplish this in many ways, the most generous being that they give kids a free flight in the sky. Pilots are licensed by the FAA, and the flight lasts about 20 minutes. The flight experience could even involve taking control of the plane for a bit! Search your location to find a pilot coordinator near you - many locations throughout Illinois are at smaller airports.

Shila:  Paintball Explosion has an indoor field, and 6 themed outdoor paintball fields. They also have laser tag for those who are not up for getting hit with a paintball. This state of the art paintball theme park is modeled after the most popular video games like 'Call of Duty' & 'Modern Warfare' with movie quality sets!

Lisa R:  Chicago Botanic Garden's line of classes for middle schoolers aims at teaching life skills while appealing to personal interests. These high quality classes taught at the Regenstein Learning Campus draw on themes related to cooking, art, and of course, gardening. Before or after classes, teens can walk the grounds and enjoy the 27 gardens and more!

Lisa R:  All of the usual fun at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park gets a little crazier on Saturday nights when the lights dim and everything happens under a neon glow. Kids can stop by the Glow Station on their way in to put on some glow-in-the dark face paint before they hit all of their favorite attractions, like the climbing wall, open jump trampoline, dodge ball arena, and slam dunk zone.

Lisa R:  For a really special Chicago experience, book an up-close, 90 minute meeting with the sharks at Shedd Aquarium. Shedd experts will take you behind the scene to show you how they maintain the 400,000 gallon shark tank and then let you watch as the sharks and rays gather for a feed. Nonskid shoes required- you do NOT want to fall in!

Lisa R:  The tree top ropes courses at Go Ape bring you closer to nature and your chimpanzee ancestors in one go. You'll spend 2-3 hours hiking through the tree top canopy with the aid of suspended ropes and zip lines. The cost of admission includes all of the necessary safety gear and a 30-minute class on safety and course etiquette. Ten to fifteen year olds must be accompanied by an adult 18+, while 16-17 year olds only need a signed waiver. Additional adventures are also available!

Lisa R:  If super hero movies and the Hunger Games have your teen wanting to pick up a bow and arrow, then head over to one of the Forest Preserve's free archery 101 events where new and experienced archers are schooled on technique, history and shooting basics by certified instructors. Junior archery will be available for those under 10.

Escape rooms are a fun way to enjoy family time together, especially with older kids who will better appreciate the challenge! Participants are given a mission with 60 minutes to "solve" the room - to escape! Mastermind is a national company committed to innovating thoughtful escape concepts. Themes can rotate and vary in difficulty, but Mastermind can help your family members enjoy an age-appropriate challenge. You can also watch a preview of each online.

Vanessa M.:  Take your family ziplining through the treetops on a heart-pounding canopy and zipline tour with Zip Chicago. The tours offer 8 giant ziplines to try out (including dual 800-foot ziplines made for racing - parents and kids can have a blast challenging each other!), plus countless platforms, bridges, and climbs to give your family a bird's eye view of the river valley and native woodlands. Several tour options are available, including a short tour which is perfect for nervous first-timers.

Vanessa M.:  Bring the family on a wild ride down the Fox River at downtown Yorkville's Marge Cline Whitewater Course. You can B.Y.O.Boat or check out the Yak Shack for boat, kayak, and tube rental. The river breaks into two sections, one for beginners and one for more experienced paddlers, and the pedestrian bridge makes a great observation spot for family members who may not be keen to participate. Nearby restaurants and playground make this destination a fun day trip for families!

Kristy Pepping:  Six Flags Great America, located in Chicago's northern suburbs, has attractions running the gamut from roller coasters to gentler options for tots. It is Chicago's largest theme park, and most popular for thrill-seeking families. Plan for an entire day here if you've never been before. You'll find thrill rides like roller coasters, family rides, kiddie rides and even water rides at the adjacent Hurricane Harbor (separate admission).

Sarah D.:  Visit haunted places and gangster hang outs on these weird and thrilling Chicago tours! Whether your family chooses the Haunted History Tour, the Devil in the White City Tour, the Blood Guns and Valentines Tour or one of the others, your family will watch weird and wild Chicago history come alive! Bus tours run approximately 3 hours with private tour options available. Book a tour for your little thrill seekers today!