Free and low-cost family activities in Illinois

61 entries for Illinois (2 programs and places, 59 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Illinois

Illinois state parks: no entrance fee

FreeOutdoorsIllinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it does not charge an entrance fee at state-owned or operated land, with the exception of Wildlife Prairie Park and sites with beaches. Beach use is charged per person per day; two IDNR pages state different amounts, so confirm the fee at the site. Camping has separate fees.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: No pass needed for entry. Check the individual site for beach, camping and facility fees.

IDNR pages disagree on the beach fee amount; confirm with the site.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Illinois state parks: interpretive programs and Starved Rock youth programs

Free days / free for someOutdoorsIllinois

IDNR offers interpretive programs at various sites (guided hikes and tours, school group programs, special events and outdoor education). Starved Rock's 2026 program brochure states 'All Programs are Free! Registration might be necessary' and lists youth programs such as Nature Quest for Young Explorers.

Who it's for: Families and children

How: Contact each site and call ahead to confirm programs, dates and times; some programs require pre-registration.

Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Illinois (59)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Springfield, IL
Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL
American Writers Museum Chicago, IL
Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL
Aurora Regional Fire Museum Aurora, IL
Batavia Depot Museum Batavia, IL
Brookfield Zoo Chicago Brookfield, IL
Burpee Museum of Natural History Rockford, IL
Cantigny Park Wheaton, IL
Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Chicago, IL
Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL
Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL
Chicago Children’s Museum Chicago, IL
Chicago History Museum Chicago, IL
Children’s Hands-On Museum of Northwest Illinois Freeport, IL
Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL
Children’s Museum of Illinois Decatur, IL
Downers Grove Museum Downers Grove, IL
Driehaus Museum Chicago, IL
Dunn Museum Libertyville, IL
DuPage Children’s Museum Naperville, IL
DuSable Museum of African American History Chicago, IL
Edwardsville Children’s Museum Edwardsville, IL
Elgin History Museum Elgin, IL
Ellwood House Museum DeKalb, IL
Evanston History Center Evanston, IL
The Field Museum Chicago, IL
Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum Aurora, IL
Heritage Museum of Asian Art Chicago, IL
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center Skokie, IL
Illinois State Museum Springfield, IL
International Museum of Surgical Science Chicago, IL
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art Chicago, IL
Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historic Center DeKalb, IL
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Lisle, IL
Kidzeum of Health and Science Springfield, IL
Klehm Arboretum & Botanical Garden Rockford, IL
Kohl Children’s Museum Glenview, IL
Krannert Art Museum Champaign, IL
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL
McLean County Museum of History Bloomington, IL
Miller Park Zoo Bloomington, IL
Mindworks: The Science of Thinking Chicago, IL
Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Chicago, IL
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Chicago, IL
My Museum Palatine, IL
Naper Settlement Naperville, IL
National Museum of Mexican Art Chicago, IL
National Museum of Puerto Rican Art and Culture Chicago, IL
National Veterans Art Museum Chicago, IL
Obama Presidential Center Chicago, IL
Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum Peoria, IL
Peoria Riverfront Museum Peoria, IL
Project XV Museum El Paso, IL
Quad City Botanical Center Rock Island, IL
Quincy Children’s Museum Quincy, IL
Shedd Aquarium Chicago, IL
Wonder Works Children’s Museum Oak Park, IL

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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