Things to Do in Chicago's Lincoln Square Neighborhood with Kids

Lincoln Square is a historically-German Chicago neighborhood at the Western stop of the Brown Line. This fun neighborhood is anchored by Giddings Plaza, a pedestrian plaza with a historic-looking fountain just east of Lincoln Avenue between Leland and Lawrence. Its location just off the L and with narrow streets makes it a pedestrian-friendly location with lots of unique shops and restaurants for families to explore.

Many families come to Lincoln Square for its street festivals or for a concert at The Old Town School of Folk Music, which is not actually located in Old Town. But there's plenty to do, see, hear, and eat even after those events are over. Here are some great things to do with kids in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

If you want to venture to other great Chicago neighborhoods, check out our list of 100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids. 

Top Things To Do in Lincoln Square with Kids

 
The Nature Center at Welles Park. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District.

1. Welles Park

This giant park at Lincoln Avenue and Montrose has everything: playgrounds, ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. In the summer, families can enjoy a concert at its gazebo or a play session in its playground's water feature. All year round, it's a great place for a walk or a jog. And if you get too hot or too cold, it's right across the street from...

2. Sulzer Regional Library

This is the regional library for the north half of the city, so compared to most branches outside of Harold Washington Library downtown, it's huge. Most days boast multiple story times for kids from birth to Kindergarten, and the library also offers plenty of fun after school and weekend programming. From crafts for elementary school kids to the YOU Media area for teens, anyone can find something that interests them here.

 
Lincoln Square is a picturesque Chicago neighborhood with plenty to do with kids. Photo by Robert Darrow via Flicker 2.0

3. Street Festivals

In most neighborhoods, we would list two or three festivals in this heading, but Lincoln Square has so many it's hard to pick just two. We love the Square Roots festival in the summer and Apple Fest in the fall, but the headliners in the historically German neighborhood are Maifest (pronounced May Fest) in the first week of June and German-American Fest (and the Von Steuben Parade) the weekend after Labor Day. These all-day fests all have great music, unique foods, and plenty of family friendly activities—just hit them early in the day before anyone has had too many liters of beer.

4. DANK Haus

The Deutsche Amerikansiche National Kongress is the hub for German-Americans in the city of Chicago. Even outside of the regular Oktoberfest time of year, families can gather here to learn about the German language, how to cook traditional German foods, and to enjoy German culture events. We've watched soccer games and enjoyed German films there, but you can also enroll your kids in preschool or Saturday school and eat a Stammstisch meal on select Sundays each month.

5. Old Town School of Folk Music

Anyone of any age can find a music lesson or concert here. Wiggleworms music classes are a standby for Chicago kids from birth to Kindergarten, and older kids can learn drums, fiddle, ukelele, voice and much more as they progress through different stages of musicality. If you're just visiting, there are many concerts each week for music-lovers of all ages. Sometimes Chicago's favorite children's musicians play here, or check out teen open mic nights, holiday sing-alongs, World Music Wednesdays, and more on the school's website.

 
Stop by Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square. Photo courtesy of Timeless Toys

6. Timeless Toys

This is one of those old-school toy stores that are in dwindling supply across the country. Try out the train table, poke through the puppets, and search for something new in an environment that's all about toys. The shop has all the favorite brands and will even make up a mystery box at different price points for kids who want to try something different. 

7. The Davis Theater

Originally opened in 1918, this classy movie theater was renovated in 2016, but still maintains its historic feel. See a new film or enjoy a classic during a weekday matinee showing. 

8. The Book Cellar

This woman-owned bookstore and cafe has rows and rows of books and weekly events, including book club meetings and author readings and book signings. Come for the reading material, and maybe stick around for a treat (or a glass of wine) from the cafe area.

 
Lincoln Square's farmer's market meets twice a week. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Square Farmers Market

9. Lincoln Square Farmer's Market

Lincoln Square is one of the only neighborhoods that has twice-weekly markets. Visit on Tuesday morning or Thursday after work to pick up produce, baked goods, cheese, meats, and sweets from local farmers and vendors.

10. Bloom Yoga Studio

Bloom Yoga Studio is a community-focused space with classes for expecting moms, parents, babies, kids, tweens, and teens. The studio also sometimes hosts outdoor community yoga events in parks for plazas. Bloom's instructors try to make yoga accessible to anyone of any age and background.

11. Fit City Kids

As much as we would like to play in Welles Park all year round, there is the inevitable -20 degree day in Chicago almost every winter. If you're in the neighborhood that day, check out open play time at Fit City Kids. The 5,000 square foot multi-level playspace helps kids burn off some energy. Or find a special event like dodgeball or Nerf Wars on weekends for some additional structured play.

12. BitSpace

Make something spectacular at a day-off camp or open shop at this unique tech-based maker space. Curious kids ages 8 to 14 can enhance their problem-solving abilities while learning skills that help them make real-life inventions. BitSpace offers year-round camps and programs.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Lincoln Square

1. Gene's Sausage Shop

This European grocer, meat market, and deli offers nearly every kind of sausage you can think of, plus some you probably never imagined. On warm days, you can enjoy a meal on the rooftop, which includes kids' favorites like giant pretzels and hot dogs, as well as specialties enjoyed by Chicagoans of many ages like pierogis, bratwurst, and schnitzel. You can also peruse local and international beer, wine, coffee, tea, and sweet treats in the main shop. Kids and grown-ups can all love its wide selection of Haribo. 

2. Root's Pizza 

We actually made a roundup without deep dish pizza on it, but Roots is pizza from just a few hours west in the Quad Cities. It has a thin, malty crust, slightly spicy sauce, and toppings underneath the cheese. It's cut into strips instead of wedges or square. Kids can also enjoy homestyle entrees from the kids menu.

3. Garcia's Mexican Cuisine

This great open-concept Mexican restaurant has giant burritos and entrees for adults, or kids can order a la carte tacos and tostadas with a variety of toppings and fillings. The unique artwork on the walls adds to the ambience of one of our delicious favorite restaurants.

 
Professor Pinkerton Xyloma at Sideshow Gelato. Photo by Inferna Photography.

4. Sideshow Gelato

Dessert and a show are available at this carnival themed gelato shop. If you're looking for flavors outside of the Neopolitan rainbow, this is the place to go. Crazy gelato flavors also come in dairy free and vegan, and are served with a side of (usually) family-friendly entertainment.

5. Lutz Continental Cafe and Pastry Shop

Stop in for a cookie or a slice of cake, or order anything from a wedding cake to a baby shower cake to a first birthday smash cake. There's a wide variety of sweets filled with fruit, chocolate, creams, nuts, and more for families with all different kinds of tastes.