Best Indoor Mini Golf in Chicago for Kids

1. Big Mini Putt — Lakeview and Wicker Park

These urban indoor miniature golf courses are designed to be more like kitschy outdoor courses. They have greens and ramps and tricky multi-level holes where the ball travels from the top to the bottom at different speeds depending on where you hit it. You'll also find simple kid-friendly bar foods, like pizza, nachos, giant pretzels, and churros. 

Indoor golf is a fun indoor activity for when the kids need to get out of the house. 

2. Puttshack — Oak Brook

Puttshack is like being inside a giant mini golf pinball machine. It's more complicated than your average mini-golf course, and full of lights, sounds, and motion. Play one of four courses, and enjoy a fun meal and drink to go with your game! Families can enjoy 50% off their second game Mondays through Thursdays. Take your kids before 8 p.m., when Puttshack becomes a 21+ venue.

3. Space Golf — Orland Park

This is the only 18-hole course on our list and a top bet for elementary-aged kids. Space Golf is lit by black lights and features planets, aliens, space ships, and more. Wear their special 3D glasses for an extraordinary mini golf experience. When you're done golfing, drop by the Alien Arcade for up to two hours of free play for $3 each.

4. Scene75 — Bolingbrook

Golf through the ocean at Scene75's nine-hole blacklit mini golf course in Bolingbrook. Made for players of all ages, there's art that pops off the walls as you golf through a shark's mouth, a coral reef, and more. The course is part of a larger indoor amusement park with rides and games for a full afternoon of fun. 

Try the whimsical Enchanted Castle indoor mini golf course as part of a larger adventure. 

5. Enchanted Castle — Lombard

The Knight's Adventure mini golf course inside this retro amusement center in the western suburbs is great for nine holes of fun. The holes are short and even a preschooler can play through the course in under an hour, giving plenty of time to enjoy arcade games, go karts, laser tag, and other adventures inside the castle.

6. Puttery — West Loop

Formerly an adults-only indoor mini golf course, Puttery has several themed courses remiscent of the rooms in the CLUE board game. Golf in the converservatory, the library, the lodge, or the rooftop. Chef-curated bites and unique cocktails make this fun for grown-ups, too. The venue becomes 21+ at 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fun Golf Simulators in Chicago for Kids

7. Five Iron Golf — The Loop, River North,  and Lincoln Park

Whether your kids are looking to become professional golfers or just looking for a little athletic fun in the winter months, Five Iron Golf has options for them. Work on your swing in a traditional golf simulator or play multi-sport or arcade-like games with the simulator. Kids can even book their own golf or multi-sport birthday party at Five Iron.

8. Game of Irons — Oak Brook

Okay, we'll admit we came in here because we saw the Game of Thrones themed signage from the highway and we thought it was funny to put the Khaleesi and the Hand of the Queen in the golf club throne and take a picture. But we also had a lot of fun with the golf simulator, playing mostly knock the bricks from the wall, but also trying out real golf courses to see how our swings were. There's also a good food and drink selection for both kids and grown-ups.

9. Halfway House — Elmhurst

This is a smaller simulator with just four bays. Kids can come to practice their golf swing, play a target-based driving game, or join a golf camp over the summer. Each bay also offers a selection of alternate sports, like baseball, hockey, and soccer, or video games like bejeweled, darts, and Skeeball.

10. The Green — Bucktown

Use the simulators in this fun Bucktown center to learn to play golf for fun or competitively. There are practice greens around a central bar area, and players can rent their own bay by the hour to play a specific course or try out golf-related games. Take lessons here if you want to improve your game over time.

11. XGolf — 10 Chicago area locations

While XGolf boasts the most accurate simulators in the industry, it also has lots of fun locations open across the Chicago area for families. All of the locations have fun bar foods available, including the signature soft pretzel, and many locations also have arcade games for kids who get tired of golfing.

12. The Golf Factory — Mount Prospect

This family-owned northwest suburban golf simulator has lots of fun available for families. Kids can learn to golf, join a family golf league, play after school from 3-6 for a special rate, and even enjoy a golf-themed birthday party. Come for the golf and stay for a meal — all of the food is kid-friendly in terms of taste and price.

All photos are courtesy of the venues.