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If you’re planning a trip to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago with young kids, take it from me-it’s absolutely worth it, but a little planning makes all the difference. We recently took our two boys (ages 4 and 2) for a day of underwater exploration, and while it was an amazing experience, we definitely learned a few things along the way that made our visit smoother.
Here’s a breakdown of what worked, what we’d do again, and what we’d recommend for families looking to get the most out of their day at Shedd.
Table of Contents
Getting There & Why Early is Best
We arrived at 9:30 AM for our 10 AM ticket time slot, and this was definitely the way to go. The line was short, and they let us in about 15 minutes early, which gave us a nice head start before the bigger crowds arrived. Next time, we’ll opt for 9 or 9:30 AM tickets instead-especially with naps in the mix. By the end of the visit, we were cutting it a little too close, and the boys were definitely getting tired. Starting earlier would give us more time to explore without pushing into that late-afternoon meltdown zone.
For parking, we used the lot right next to Shedd- it was $32, which isn’t cheap, but for us, it was worth it to have a short walk with the boys. If you’re bringing young kids, I’d highly recommend parking as close as possible to avoid the hassle of a long walk back at the end of the visit.
Why the Wagon Was a Lifesaver
I debated whether or not to bring the wagon, but I’m so glad we did. Our 4 year old walked most of the time, but our 2 year old definitely needed it, mostly to keep him contained, but especially as the day went on. Shedd is big, and while the boys had plenty of energy at the start, those little legs tired fast. Plus, having the wagon gave us:
• Storage space for snacks, water bottles, and extra layers (Chicago weather is unpredictable).
• A contained spot for our youngest when the crowds got a little overwhelming.
• A place for a quick break when the kids needed to reset.
If you have young kids, I’d 100% recommend bringing a wagon or stroller. Just keep in mind that Shedd has elevators, but not all areas are super wagon/stroller-friendly, so be prepared to navigate a few tight spaces or be willing to carry the wagon up and down the stairs. We have this wagon from AMAZON and love it, good storage options in the front and the back and a canopy if needed too!
Kicking Off the Adventure: Wonders of the Water
As soon as we stepped inside Shedd, we saw the Wonders of the Water, and from the moment the boys saw those massive, glowing tanks, they were mesmerized- and honestly, so were we. The tanks were filled with all kinds of fish, from tiny, shimmering schools to larger, slow-moving species. The boys stood wide-eyed, pointing and pressing their faces against the glass, completely captivated by the movement and colors.
It was the perfect introduction to the aquarium- calm, engaging, and a chance to take it all in before diving into the bigger exhibits. After spending a few minutes soaking in the underwater world, we made our way to the Wild Reef, and that’s when the real adventure began.
First Stop: The Wild Reef
Right after the Wonders of the Water, we headed straight for the Wild Reef- and that was one of the best decisions of the day. Later in the day, this exhibit had a long line, but in the morning, we walked right in. The Wild Reef is downstairs, and it was an instant hit with the boys.
• Sharks! (Enough said. Our 4 year old was glued to the glass.)
• Massive stingrays gliding past.
• Bright coral and tropical fish that felt like stepping into an underwater world.
It’s a darker space with lots of glowing tanks, so it had that “wow” factor right away. Definitely start here before the crowds pick up.
Exploring the Amazon and Ocean Exhibits
After the Wild Reef, we made our way to the Amazon Rising exhibit. The boys were fascinated by the enormous fish, and the massive anaconda in one of the tanks! The stingrays, turtles, and ducks were also a huge hit- especially for my 2 year old, who absolutely loves ducks.
From there, we headed to the Oceans exhibit, where we saw a leopard shark (or at least what I think was a leopard shark). The boys were in awe watching it swim past so close to the glass.
Hands-On Fun at the Great Lakes Exhibit
One of the coolest interactive parts of our visit was at the Great Lakes exhibit, where we got to touch sturgeons. The boys were hesitant at first, but after seeing other kids do it, they finally reached in. Their reactions were priceless- equal parts excitement and nervous giggles!
Underwater Viewing: A Must-See with Kids
From the Great Lakes exhibit, we made our way to the Underwater Viewing Area, which was hands-down one of the best parts of the day. This is where you can see the beluga whales and dolphins swimming up close, and both boys were completely mesmerized.
• The belugas are so graceful, and watching them glide through the water from below was incredible.
• The dolphins were active, darting around and playing, which kept the kids entertained for a while.
There’s something about being eye-level with these massive animals that makes it feel so special. If you’re going with little ones, make sure you don’t skip this!
We took a break here, had a snack, and just sat watching these incredible creatures for a while. It was a great reset before heading to our last stop of the day.
Polar Play Zone: A Perfect Kid Break
We ended our visit at the Polar Play Zone, which was the perfect way to wrap up the day. The boys had a blast climbing inside the submarine, turning the knobs, pushing buttons, and pretending to be deep-sea explorers. This was my 4 year olds favorite spot (ok, besides the sharks!).
From there, we made our way to the penguin exhibit and the Penguin Play Area, which was another highlight of the day. The boys loved watching the penguins waddle around and dive into the water, and then they got to step into the role of penguins themselves!
• Watching the penguins swim and waddle and jump in the water had the boys giggling.
• The boys had fun pretending to be penguins and exploring the icy-themed setup in the penguin play area. The climbing structures were a great way for them to move and burn off some more energy.
Finally, we made our way to the water splash table- the last part of the play area. It turned out to be the perfect ending because the boys got wet, but since it was the last thing we did, it didn’t matter!
Lunch & Snacks: What Worked for Us
We packed some snacks for the kids, which helped tide them over, but we also grabbed lunch at Shedd’s café. Food was decent but pricey, which we expected. If you have picky eaters, I’d suggest bringing some of their favorites to avoid a mealtime struggle, and save some money. There are plenty of areas to sit and sinks too for the kids to clean off some germs before eating! (This was a win for a clean freak mom!)
Other Tips & Takeaways
• Skip the 4D movie (for younger kids). We debated doing this, but I don’t think our 2 year old would’ve lasted, and honestly, they were more interested in exploring the exhibits.
• If you can, go on a weekday. We went on a weekend, and while early was fine, by midday, it was packed (and sold out!).
• Take your time. We didn’t try to see every single exhibit, and that made the experience more enjoyable.
Shedd Aquarium was an awesome experience with our boys, and I’d absolutely take them again. Going early, bringing a wagon, and prioritizing the most kid-friendly exhibits made all the difference in having a fun (and meltdown-free) visit. If you’re planning a trip, hopefully, these tips help make your day just as smooth!
Here is my recommended packing list:
• Wagon (or stroller)- Absolute must for little ones
• Snacks & water– To avoid hangry meltdowns. We used these bento boxes so each boy had their own snacks (plus, they have sharks on them- so of course they came with us!)
• Extra clothes– Especially if you plan to let the kids play at the water table.
• Comfortable shoes– There’s a lot of walking. I swear by my on cloud shoes. But make sure the kids have comfy shoes too!
• Small towel– If your kids love water play (while the water table was our end stop- and they do have waterproof smocks to wear- a towel would have been nice to have)
• Hand sanitizer and wipes– Because, well, kids.
Have you been to Shedd with kids? What was your favorite part? Any recommendations you have?
Just keep swimming!
With love,
Bri & Cat
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