1. RISE Program at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Choose a drop-in program to learn about just one topic of interest or pick the structured program to learn a little about everything at this fun and interactive science museum.  Teens will learn about STE(A)M careers, participate in hands-on and digital activities, build teamwork skills, and even potentially earn an internship by the end of the 12-week structured program.

The Griffin is a huge museum — read our review for suggestions on which exhibits to prioritize. 

2. Art Institute of Chicago Teen Council

Apply to make art, be mentored, and create programs for other teens as a member of the Art Institute of Chicago's Teen Council. Teens can choose to participate in the council for the school year, the semester, or the summer. This is a great opportunity to learn about art and museums, and to get to know some world class artists assotciated with the Art Institute.

And yes, it's totally worth it to see the Art Institute with smaller kids, too! Read about our secrets to a successful visit. 

3. Teen Creative Agency at the Museum of Contemporary Art

This is a group of teens who meet at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Streeterville every Saturday morning during the school year to discuss, plan, and create art. Teens from 15-19 years old can engage with professionals and peers to strengthen their creative process. The program is led by artists and makes art accessible for young people.

4. Field Museum High School Science and Digital Learning Program, volunteer positions, and internships

Teens who are considering science as a career should consider the Field Museum's High School Science and Digital Learning Program, where 15 teens are selected to work with a Field Museum scientist on a five-week research project over the summer. The paid internship allows them to learn more about their field of interest with a professional. Girls can also apply for the Women in Science internship, and all teens can volunteer at the Field Museum, where they can interact with young learners in the Crown Family PlayLab or facilitate an interpretive learning cart.

The Field is one of Chicago's most iconic museums. Have a great visit after reading our review. 

5. Adler Planetarium Teen Programs

There's an extensive array of programs for teens at the Adler Planetarium during the summer and the school year. Join YOLO, the Youth Organization for Lights Out, which explores the impact of light pollution at meetings at Little Village Lawndale High School throughout the school year. Kids can also apply for Youth Leadership Council, which leads the YOLO organization, or Adler Planetarium summer programs, which include internships and the Far Horizons Program, where teens learn to use Ground Observation Network cameras to monitor the night sky.

You can easily check out Adler Planetarium after you drop off your teen. Read about our favorite exhibits here. 

6. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science (TEENS) 

The TEENS program selects about 60 Chicago teens for these paid internships each year. High school students participate in fall, spring, or summer sessions where they perform ecological research projects in conjunction with Forest Preserves of Cook County, the Chicago Park District, and other partners. Project have been featured in Nature Museum exhibits, and teens have contributed to projects like iNaturalist, the Student Network for Amphibian Pathogen Surveillance (SNAPS), Squirrel-Net, and eBird.

7. Shedd Aquarium Teen Workshops

Great news: These cool workshops at the Shedd Aquarium are FREE! You must be 14-18 years old and currently enrolled in high school to attend. Topics include building living habitats, where teens learn how aquarium professionals create the environments animals live in, and career deep dive, where kids can learn about jobs in the field, from vet tech to conservation researcher.  These are one-time programs on non-school afternoons, making them accessible for teens who have just a little time available.

The Shedd is fun for kids of all ages. Read our tips for a great visit. 

8. Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation Ambassadors Board

This youth leadership program lets teens choose their own conservation research project each semester. Applications are open through August 29 to be on the Conservation Ambassadors Board, which will focus on behavior change psychology and climate advocacy for polar bears during the Fall 2025 semester. This is a paid internship through After School Matters.

9. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Saturdays

Teens thinking about careers in architecture and design may enjoy these free three-hour workshops on the third Saturday of each month. Choose a single session, or enroll for the whole year! Topics include maps and city design, adaptive reuse, architecture photography, reimagining spaces, and glass architecture. 

10. National Museum of Mexican Art Yollocalli Arts Reach

Another great free program for Chicago teens, Yollocalli has after school programs, community workshops, and internships for kids and young adults ages 13-24 in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods. Learn about street art, funky photography, or art wellness, or even sell your art at the Yollo Lab in this cool and collaborative youth program.

11. Hyde Park Arts Center Teen Programs

Teens can join these year-long programs taught by professional artists on a variety of topics, from music production to ceramics to screen printing, to hone their craft. High schoolers can also apply to be on the Youth Board of Artists to play a leadership role in the Hyde Park arts community by participating in the annual Gala celebration, creating a teen programs magazine, and becoming a part in the annual Teen Programs Exhibition.

12. Intuit Art Museum Intuiteens

This paid summer program give teens the change to work with artists, curators and educators to develop their creative practice. Self-taught artists come together to engage in conversations about art and activism and design art for the public.