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5 Free Art Outings in Chicago for Kids

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Chicago is a city built around its public art, always sponsoring and commissioning new art, sculpture and design projects meant to enhance the beauty of the city. All this art has gained the attention of Chicago’s youngest residents, it’s children, and in turn the city has really made sure to cater to them and to get them interested in art and inspire their creativity. There are so many art outings for kids that you can enjoy, and for free!

If you have a child that is interested in art, or you want to expose your children to art, bring out their creativity and have some fun, check out these 5 free art outings for kids in Chicago.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago, AIC, is one of the most famous and prestigious art museums in the world, but they are very eager to include children and family in their discovery of art. The AIC has created special tours for children, developed around all sorts of stuff that will interest them, and families are invited to use special rooms in the new Modern Wing designed just for children to play, learn and create art of their very own. Kids are always free at the AIC, and every Thursday from 5-8 all Illinois residents can enjoy the museum for free.

Millennium Park

Chicago’s new Millennium Park is the lakeshores biggest attraction, filled with public art and ongoing projects for kids to enjoy. The big draw in the park is Cloud Gate, famously known as the Bean, it is a bean shaped sculpture towering over the heads of anyone that walks under and covered in stainless steel. Kids love it because they can see their reflections in many different forms. While you’re in the park, make sure to check out the Crown Fountain Towers, Lurie Garden for art through gardening and any one of the wings of the plaza for new installations that rotate throughout the year.

Chicago Children’s Museum

While the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is not free, you and your kids can visit for free if you have a public library card in Chicago or any of the many suburban Chicago towns participating in the Kids Museum Passport program. Bring your library card to the children’s section of your public library and they can provide you with a pass good for up to four free general admission tickets. Explore for the entire day and have fun through art exhibits, displays and projects. Not only will your children get the chance to do some hand’s on art, but they will learn how art fits into so many other aspects of life.

National Museum of Mexican Art

For a little cultural art, the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago is the country’s largest museum dedicated to Mexican and Mexican American art and artists. Spend the day exploring the many different types of media being used by artists now and in the past, and how that art fits into the lives, culture and religion of Mexico. The museum is always free.

Lincoln Park

To explore art in nature, head to Chicago’s Lincoln Park, which runs along the lake, past the Lincoln Park Museum and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Talk about the different ways we can find art in nature and how we can add to the beauty of nature with planned projects before heading out. Point out patterns in garden beds, colors used to create designs, and look for designs and different styles in the many different areas of the park. There are also several dozen statues, sculptures and art installations scattered around the park that kids can enjoy. Take a pad of paper and drawing tools and sit with children to draw out the flowers, insects, birds and art installations they like best.