Heat Wave Hot List: Ways to Keep Cool in Chicago With Kids

It can get hard to beat the heat during Chicago's summer months, and this weekend is looking to be a scorcher. We know little ones still need to get out of the house, so keep this list handy and you'll keep cool. We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of beaches, pools, splash pads, and indoor air-conditioned things to do to beat the heat in Chicago. From swimming to splashing and all the great local indoor play spaces and museums, this guide has our favorite ways to take a break, cool off, and have fun.

Check out our Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids for more summer activities in Chicago,

Beaches In and Near Chicago to Visit During a Heat Wave

While there are tons of beaches in Chicago to enjoy during the summer months, the three below stand out in the crowd. For more beaches, check out this list. 

31st Street Beach/Margaret T. Burroughs Beach—Bronzeville

Located within Burnham Park, this beach has an ADA-accessible playground and a green-roof picnic area above an underground parking garage. It’s also near one of the best Chicago splash pads at 31st Street Harbor. 

Kathy Osterman Beach and Montrose Beach—Uptown 

If you live on the North Side, this Lake Michigan beach offers a 2,750-square-foot beach house for convenient restrooms and shade. On Montrose Beach, families can enjoy food concessions, kayak and volleyball rentals, and restrooms with showers. Easy metered parking is available on or near Montrose Avenue.

Centennial Beach—Naperville

If you'd rather stick to the suburbs, head for Centennial Beach. New swimmers can take it easy here with fewer waves at this historic quarry near the Naperville Riverwalk. The zero-depth beach slopes into a 15-foot swimming well for bigger kids. There’s also a shallow-end slide and several water play features, a sand volleyball and bag toss area, and a grassy picnic area near Centennial Grill.

 
Beaches are a popular and free way to beat the heat. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Dunes National Park

Swimming Lakes Near Chicago to Enjoy During a Heat Wave

If you’re looking for a smaller, more local swimming lake near Chicago, there are plenty of fun places to swim in the city, 'burbs, and even southern Wisconsin within a short drive of Chicagoland. Three of the best are below and this list of family-friendly swimming lakes near Chicago for kids has more. 

Whiting Park and Whihala Beach–Whiting, IN

Whihala Beach is only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago over the Indiana border. There’s swimming, boating, kayaking, surfing, and more on the 21-acre site. Be sure to check out the WhoaZone for inflatable water slides, trampolines, and more. Cars are $4 per hour or $20 all day. The minimum credit card purchase is $5.

Independence Grove–Libertyville, IL

Independence Grove in Libertyville features a 115-acre lake for swimming. You can swim and splash around and enjoy a variety of water sports. Boat rentals are also available for adults. Admission is $6 per car for nonresidents, Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun, and holidays, and $5 for Lake County residents only. You can purchase admission at the Visitors Center.

McHenry Petersen Park Beach—McHenry, IL

Petersen Park Beach is a beautiful swimming lake near Chicago in McHenry. You can enjoy playing on the sandy beach, swimming, or renting a boat, kayak, or paddleboard when the temperature is above 68 degrees. There are even five Witbit inflatables for extra water fun!

Splash pads let kids run around while staying cool in a heat wave. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds in Chicago (and Nearby)

With little ones, there’s no better way to cool off than at a splash pad or water playground. These playgrounds are specifically designed to keep little ones cool and enjoy time in the water safely. Below are three top spots; this list has plenty more to discover. 

Mary Bartelme Park—West Loop

Probably one of the most Instagrammed new features in Chicago, the Fountain Plaza at this compact urban oasis is the place to be on a hot day. Angular archway sculptures spray a fine mist for dashing through at top speed (or lingering under for maximum cooldown). 

Austin Park Water Playground—Austin

The giant, blue, multilevel water playground here has slides, tunnels, sprinklers, sprayers, gushers... the works. There's not much shade, but there are restrooms, and the area is fenced in with a soft, squishy surface for hours of safe play. 

Skokie Water Playground—Skokie

With a huge zero-entry pool, three big water slides, and a multi-level water playground with sprayers, water guns, tubs, slides, and a giant splash bucket, plus an accessible "sprayground" with a rock-like waterfall and sprinklers galore, there's no excuse not to get soaked here. 

 
Beat the heat in Chicago at Holstein Park Pool. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Local Outdoor Pools in Chicago for Kids to Beat the Heat

Public pools are one of the best summer resources in Chicago. They provide a great way to cool off, practice swimming, and get outside without melting. Some of the best are below, but this list of the most family-friendly free pools in Chicago for kids has plenty more for you to try. 

Holstein Pool—Bucktown

Holstein Pool is a favorite for a few reasons. First, its Bucktown location makes it easy to get to from many family-friendly neighborhoods, including Wicker Park and Logan Square. While popular, it's not overly crowded on a weekday. It also has a separate kiddie pool ranging in depth from about 6 to 18 inches that's small enough to allow parents to relax on a nearby shaded bench while still keeping an eye on their kids.

Humboldt Park Pool—Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park Pool is a top choice for a few reasons, one of which is the gigantic water slide. The park is one of the most stunning parks in Chicago, with a lagoon, boathouse, and beach area for additional swimming. Guests can check out the always-free National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in the park before or after their swim.

Washington Pool—Hyde Park

Washington Pool has all the bells and whistles to make your kids' summer dreams come true: a huge pool (50 meters long), a zero-entry wading area for the little ones, and the pièce de resistance: a waterslide!

Indoor Pools and Hotel or Fitness Center Pools for Families

An indoor pool is a great option when you want to swim but it’s almost too hot to even go to an outdoor pool. Some of the best are included below, and you can check out this list of the top indoor swimming pools near Chicago and this round-up of hotel and fitness centers that offer daily pool passes for more locations.

InterContinental Hotel Chicago

The pool at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago is one of the oldest pools in the city. Built in the 1920s, this pool is also one of the most architecturally beautiful pools. For $25 per person, you can have full access to the pool, fitness, and spa amenities. 

Hyatt Lodge and Spa at Oak Brook Reserve

The Hyatt Lodge and Spa in Oak Brook is one of the largest indoor pools in the area. For $35, you can get a day pass for a family of 4. Additional family members are $20 per adult or $5 per child. 

Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park—Bolingbrook

Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park in Bolingbrook is a great option for those looking to stay close to home. This water park features two slides, tumble buckets, and a 10-person hot tub for tired parents looking to relax. 

 
Waterparks are the ultimate way to beat the heat. Photo courtesy of Paradise Bay Waterpark in Lombard

Waterparks in Chicago for Kids

If you’re looking for more action than just a pool, a water park is where it's at. You’ll find tube slides, lazy rivers, splash pads, and more. 

Splash Country—Aurora

Splash Country in Aurora is home to the second-largest lazy river in Illinois. There’s even a special section for kids under 48 inches tall. Highlights include a six-lane zero-depth pool with play zones and two winding tube/flume slides. 

The enclosed kid-friendly area has a waterfall, interactive features, a splash pad, and spray guns, all for kids under 48 inches tall. (You must be over 48 inches to ride the flume slides.) Outside food and beverages are allowed at Splash Country.

White Water Canyon Water Park—Tinley Park

White Water Canyon Water Park features 5-acres of pools, slides, a lazy river, multiple splash pads, and spray zones. There are drop slides, diving boards, water canyons, dump buckets, and interactive fountains throughout the park. For the littles, there’s a splash pad as well as a triple sand and water table.

Raging Waves—Yorkville

With miles of attractions, Raging Waves is more of a theme park that happens to have tube slides, drop slides, a lazy river, and multiple spray-and-splash pads. For thrill-seekers (who are 42-48 inches tall) attractions include slides like the Tasmanian Twisters, Platypus Plunge, the Cyclone, PJ’s Plummet, the Boomerang, and The Three Sisters.

There’s also a mega-waterfall park known as Kangaroo Falls and a giant sandbox that’s great for little kids who can’t ride the slides and tube slides, and the Great Barrier Reef has seven different water patterns to play in from the wave pool to the shallow beach water. 

Indoor Play Spaces in Chicago for Kids

In the hot summer months, there are just some days you won’t even want to be outside at a pool or a beach. These play spaces are safe, local, and best of all, located indoors with working air conditioning. A few favorites. are listed below, and here are the top indoor play spaces in Chicago for kids. 

Fit City Kids—Lincoln Square

Fit City Kids' Cityscape play zone features a 5,000-square-foot multi-level playground where kids can climb, slide, run, and dive through a maze of fun. The soft play structure keeps kids from getting hurt, and toddlers have their own designated zone to keep them away from the wily bigger kids.

Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens—Near South Side

Chicago Women’s Park and Garden has a variety of outdoor amenities but also offers an indoor kids’ playground and café featuring a climbing wall and a kids’ science lab. Playhouses and a multi-level play structure help kids get in some physical activity during the cold winter months. The building also has plenty of soft spaces for new walkers to safely enjoy.

The Exploritorium—Skokie

Skokie Park District's Exploritorium offers a low entry fee ($5 for residents and $6 for non-residents) to enjoy the many amenities of its indoor play space. In addition to the tubes-and-tunnels indoor playground, kids can play with a giant "Lite Brite" wall, design something new at the engineering station, get wet in the water play area, climb the climbing wall, play dress up, or act out a play onstage. There's also a separate toddler zone for the littlest kids.

Laser Tag, Bowling Alleys, and Ninja Warrior Courses in Chicago for Kids

Tweens and teens need indoor entertainment, too. If they claim they're "too old" for an indoor play space, offer something with a little more pizzazz and plenty of lights.

Lazer X—Addison

Laser X is the largest Laser Tag arena in the Chicago area. With over 6,500 square feet spread out over two levels, there are a ton of adventures to tackle. Fully immersive with animatronics, fog, ultra-violet, and strobe lights, this is one of the best places to introduce kids ages seven and up to this fun activity.

Kings Dining and Entertainment—Lincoln Park and Rosemont

Pizza, kid-sized balls, and bumpers make Kings Dining and Entertainment a popular bowling destination for both kids and grown-ups. The newer centers in Lincoln Park and Rosemont have full-screen graphic scorekeeping and full bar menus for adults.

Bowlero—Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, or Niles

This upscale bowling chain has kid-sized shoes and arcades in many locations to add to the bowling fun. Kids will also enjoy the solid kids' menu that includes a variety of milkshakes and refreshing soft drinks.

Ultimate Ninjas–Multiple Locations

At Ultimate Ninjas, kids get to release their inner ninjas. Inspired by the NBC show, this course lets kids jump and climb through obstacles with a professional ninja athlete. There are weekly class options, open gyms, as well as private birthday parties. Ultimate Ninjas has 3 ninja warrior gyms near Chicago with locations in Glenview, Naperville, and Libertyville.

ClimbZone–Chicago

ClimbZone is an indoor climbing and entertainment center for families. Not only are you indoor rock climbing but you’re also climbing on unique objects such as number blocks, basketballs, ropes, letters, and more. There is also a soft lay area for younger climbers and an arcade.

 
Soak in the air conditioning at one of Chicago's museums. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Museums and Local Indoor Attractions to Visit with Kids

If you think museums and local indoor attractions are only for the winter months, think again. A museum or an indoor Chicago tourist attraction makes for a great adventure in the summer. 

Museum of Science and Industry—Hyde Park

While you might think younger kids wouldn't understand enough to appreciate the science aspects of the museum, there's something here for everyone, even kids too little to grasp all of the finer points of scientific theories.

Field Museum—South Loop/Museum Campus

If you have a kid who loves dinosaurs, this is the place for you. It's the home of Sue, the most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world. There's also plenty for non-dinosaur-loving kids to do here, too.

Adler Planetarium—South Loop/Museum Campus

This museum has a little bit of everything: science, history, and even a little bit of art. The Little Explorers exhibit on the upper floor is best for the youngest of astronomers, but there are still plenty of interactive pieces in the Our Solar System and Mission Moon exhibits.