Chicago Children's Museum

Kids will have a blast at this Navy Pier museum dedicated to under-11s, but they might also learn something at the 15 permanent exhibits and the one or two touring shows usually on display in the massive, three-floor space. Aspiring archaeologists can dig for dinosaur bones in a replica excavation pit; cooped-up urban kids can get a dose of green space in the indoor Big Backyard, which combines technology and art to create a fantastical Chicago backyard that changes with the seasons. The museum also runs Kids on the Fly, a free interactive exhibition on the departure level of Terminal 2 at O'Hare International Airport. Don't miss current exhibits such as "Mexico: Festival of Toys," showcasing handmade, colorful Mexican toys from the 1920s and "Play It Safe", which lets kids dress up as the Chicago Fire Department and practice escape tactics from a "smoky" room.