Color Factory Chicago
Color Factory is more than a museum — it’s a joyful, immersive art experience that brings the magic of color to life through multi-sensory installations, interactive rooms, and thoughtfully curated moments. Recently voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience in America by USA Today readers (2024 and 2025), this family-friendly destination invites visitors of all ages to explore color in ways that awaken curiosity and spark play.
Since its opening in June 2022, Color Factory’s Chicago flagship location has featured custom-designed exhibits inspired by the city’s rich architecture, culture, and artistic spirit. Visitors can navigate an expansive maze by international artist Camille Walala, designed in homage to Chicago’s skyline, or interact with a vibrant Chicago color palette developed by local artists Edra Soto and Akilah Townsend. In another room, Yuri Suzuki explores how color and sound intertwine using a series of whimsical horns and sensory cues.
Color Factory’s mission centers on collaboration with local artists, nonprofits, and small businesses, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, 826CHI, and SocialWorks. Throughout the year, they partner with beloved local brands like Kurimu and Bon Femme to add meaningful community touches and sweet treats to the experience.
From rooms filled with confetti to a signature ball pit and edible surprises, Color Factory offers a perfect backdrop for weekend outings, school breaks, and birthday adventures. The experience is fully self-guided, with each exhibit crafted to encourage creativity, connection, and uninhibited fun.
📍 Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive
🌐 colorfactory.co
Flyover at Navy Pier
Adventure awaits—13,000 feet above Chicago. Flyover, one of Navy Pier’s newest attractions, is a thrilling ride that takes you on a soaring cinematic journey across the city’s iconic skyline.
This 9-minute, immersive flying ride was recently named one of USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice winners for Best New Attraction. The experience uses motion seats, wind, mist, and scents to bring Chicago to life like never before. Riders dive through skyscrapers, skim Lake Michigan, and fly past landmarks like the Chicago Theatre in a completely new and exhilarating way.
Flyover is great for all ages and ideal for families visiting Navy Pier. Located in the Family Pavilion, it’s close to shopping and dining—making it a great addition to any day out on the lakefront.
📍 Family Pavilion, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue
🌐 experienceflyover.com/chicago.com
Museum of Ice Cream Chicago
The name alone gets kids excited — but the Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) delivers far beyond expectations. Part art installation, part playground, and part sweet-tooth paradise, MOIC is a dream world where ice cream is both the theme and the experience.
This pink-hued wonderland features a dozen imaginative installations including a giant sprinkle pool, an indoor carnival, and interactive slides. Guests are treated to multiple ice cream tastings as they explore, adding to the fun.
Perfect for birthdays, special events, or spontaneous family outings, MOIC offers a delicious mix of visual whimsy and hands-on play that kids (and their grown-ups) won’t forget.
📍 435 N. Michigan Avenue, inside The Shops at Tribune Tower
🌐 museumoficecream.com
Play Street Museum at Roosevelt Collection Shops
Play Street Museum is a newly opened gem in the South Loop, and it’s the first Illinois location of this national franchise. Built with kids in mind, this self-navigated indoor museum allows children to explore themed play areas like a grocery store, doctor’s office, and art studio, on their own terms.
This hands-on environment encourages independence, imagination, and creativity. There are building blocks, musical instruments, painting stations, a slime lab, and even pottery activities, with each one fostering learning through play.
Play Street Museum also serves as a fantastic location for birthday parties and private events. With the Roosevelt Collection Shops’ additional family-friendly amenities including a rooftop play area, public space, and stores like Kido, H&M, and Old Navy making it a perfect all-day destination.
📍 Roosevelt Collection Shops, 150 W. Roosevelt Road
🌐 playstreetmuseum.com
Wonderverse at Oakbrook Center
Wonderverse is a 45,000-square-foot adventure built for families who love movies, gaming, and high-tech fun. Located in Oakbrook Center, this immersive experience brings popular Sony Pictures franchises to life through virtual reality, arcade games, and hands-on challenges.
Kids can try the Ghostbusters VR Academy, explore treasure in Uncharted-themed escape games, or take on the jungle in Jumanji: Reverse the Curse. There are also Zombieland-themed bumper cars and a vibrant arcade. For parents, Wonderverse features the Commissary Restaurant and Ghost Trap speakeasy for family-friendly dining with flair.
It’s one of the most dynamic new birthday party and event venues in the area, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for kids of all ages.
📍 Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
🌐 wonderversechicago.com
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