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Arts & Theater

🎭 Arts & Theater for Kids in Chicago, IL

6 children's theater, art studios, and performing arts rated and reviewed by families.

Activities & Venues in Chicago

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Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art museum in Elmhurst, IL🎨 Museum
Photo: Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
4.9(974)$17 mi · Elmhurst

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art offers a sparkling adventure that captivates kids with its dazzling collection of gems, minerals, and intricate jade carvings. This hidden gem in the western suburbs provides an educational yet visually stunning experience where children can marvel at nature's colorful treasures, from shimmering geodes to ancient fossils, all displayed in a manageable, not-overwhelming museum setting perfect for young attention spans.

🕑 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
The Art Institute of Chicago museum in Chicago, IL🎨 Museum
Photo: Gustavo F. Coria

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world's greatest art museums, featuring iconic works like Grant Wood's 'American Gothic' and the massive collection of Impressionist paintings that fascinate kids when they learn the stories behind them. The Ryan Learning Center offers hands-on art activities specifically designed for children, making this world-class museum accessible and fun for young visitors.

🕑 2-3 hours with kids; focus on highlights and Ryan Learning Center rather than trying to see everything
Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre movie theater in Downers Grove, IL🎭 Theater
Photo: Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre
4.8(1,047)$21 mi · Downers Grove

Step back in time at this stunning 1928 movie palace where kids can experience the magic of cinema in a truly special setting. With its vintage charm, ornate architecture, and family-friendly film selections, the Tivoli Theatre transforms a regular movie outing into a memorable cultural experience that combines entertainment with a touch of history.

🕑 2-3 hours (including pre-show arrival time to enjoy the historic atmosphere and typical movie length)
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre performing arts theater in Arlington Heights, IL🎭 Theater
Photo: Andrew Palmer
4.7(580)$$23 mi · Arlington Heights

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre brings the magic of live theater to families in Arlington Heights with a stellar lineup of Broadway-style musicals, children's performances, and interactive shows. Beyond being audience members, kids can get on stage themselves through popular theater camps and youth programs that build confidence and creativity.

🕑 Most performances run 90 minutes to 2.5 hours including intermission; children's shows are typically shorter at 60-75 minutes
Pickwick Theatre movie theater in Park Ridge, IL🎭 Theater
Photo: Frankie Escalona
4.5(1,135)$14 mi · Park Ridge

Step back in time at this magnificent 1928 movie palace where kids can experience the magic of cinema in a truly special setting. The Pickwick Theatre combines the wonder of classic architecture,think ornate ceilings, vintage decor, and a dazzling marquee,with family-friendly film screenings that make every movie feel like an event rather than just another trip to the multiplex.

🕑 2-3 hours including the movie runtime and time to explore
Elmhurst Art Museum art museum in Elmhurst, IL🎨 Museum
Photo: Dasha Guyton
4.5(322)$16 mi · Elmhurst

Elmhurst Art Museum offers a refreshing blend of contemporary art and hands-on creativity that keeps kids engaged beyond typical museum visits. The family workshops are thoughtfully designed to spark imagination, while the architecturally stunning Mies van der Rohe McCormick House provides a unique educational experience that even architecture-curious kids find fascinating.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

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