Chicago Kids Activities Just Got a Whole Lot More Satisfying
If you live in Chicago long enough with kids, you know the cycle. One weekend, it’s the aquarium. Next is the science museum. Then, Navy Pier. Somehow, you are always right back where you started, trying to figure out new things to do in Chicago.
That’s why families keep finding their way to Sloomoo Institute Chicago.
Located in the heart of River North at 820 N Orleans St, Sloomoo Institute Chicago is an immersive slime experience, built to engage your senses from the second you walk in.
Think hand-crafted slimes in every texture imaginable, ASMR, #satisfying sand to sink your hands into, and moments that pull kids (and adults) completely into play. (Plus, there is a never-ending supply of hand wipes to keep it all clean.)
It is the kind of place kids ask to go back to before you have even made it home.
Some of our favorite responses:
“I was blown away by how much fun I had too. I thought it would just be for the kids but I was all in.” - Dad of two
“I waited my whole life for this moment.” - 9-year-old girl
“It was so nostalgic.” - 15-year-old girl
“I couldn’t stop at the Lake. It was like walking on clouds.” - 11-year-old boy
Come see what everyone is talking about!
What Makes Sloomoo Institute Different From Other Family Activities in Chicago
There are plenty of family activities Chicago parents can choose from. What makes Sloomoo different?
They’re not standing around, watching exhibits (even though they think they will be when they first get tickets). Adults are always diving right in, especially the ones who start by thinking they won’t!
Sloomoo Institute Chicago offers 13+ interactive slimescapes, designed around texture, color, scent, sound, and touch. Every corner is intentionally curated, from the glossy stretches of slime to the oddly satisfying pops, squishes, and swirls that make kiddos light up instantly.
Unlike many kid-focused outings, adults genuinely get into it. Sloomoo is a world that is activated by playing. More than a photo moment, the adults suddenly feel like kids again. Their phones are down and they’re wrist-deep into slime, sand, and other irresistible moments.
There is a journey of scent, calming sounds, and a DIY Bar that enables everyone to unleash their inner artists.
All general admission tickets include access to the DIY Slime Bar, so everyone gets to create their own custom slime to take home, a constant reminder of joy.
Sloomoo can't wait to slime with you!
What to Expect When You Visit
The Slime Bar
The DIY Slime Bar is where creativity is the main character.
Sloomoo Institute is home to the world’s largest DIY Slime Bar, where guests design their own slime from start to finish. The experience: Choose the slime base (there are 8 varieties), color (40 to pick from), scent (there are 60, from kid-friendly cotton candy to adult-savvy lavender vanilla), and charms (the selection is 120 and everyone gets three, a perfect way to express yourself).
The best part: There is no wrong way to do it, which is exactly why everyone is obsessed with the process.
Best of all, it’s included with admission. No surprise add-ons. No upsells halfway through.
The Slimescapes
The slimescapes are what make Sloomoo Institute Chicago feel unlike anything else.
Across 13+ immersive installations, guests encounter giant amounts of slime, colorful environments where touch leads the way, satisfying ASMR moments (there are large domes to stand under and soothe yourself with sounds), and hands-on stations designed to explore at your own pace.
Every detail is intentional. The sounds. The textures. The lighting. The visual design. Even the feeling of stretching slime between your fingers becomes part of the experience.
Some spaces are calming and dreamy. Others are playful chaos in the best possible way. Everyone moves naturally from one joyful moment to the next, completely engaged the entire time.
One dad recently said, “What I love about this the most is how focused the kids are without their screens, especially my 12-year-old. There is nothing else we do that engages her like this.”
Love that!
Sensory-Friendly Hours
For many Chicago families, this is one of the most meaningful parts of what Sloomoo offers.
Sloomoo Institute Chicago hosts designated sensory-friendly hours for neurodiverse and sensory-sensitive guests who may crave a quieter, calmer environment.
These sessions are thoughtfully adapted to create a comfortable experience while still preserving all the joy, creativity, and hands-on fun that make Sloomoo special.
Sloomoo intentionally hires neurodiverse adults. Did you know that 85% of adults with autism cannot find jobs? One of the co-founders has a neurodiverse daughter, and that experience is woven into everything Sloomoo is. The spaces. The team. The feeling when you walk in. Everyone belongs here, and you will feel that the moment you arrive. A world where everyone is welcome is needed right now!
Visit the Chicago location page for the latest sensory hours and ooze into relaxation.
Planning Your Visit - What Chicago Parents Need to Know
Sloomoo Institute Chicago is located in River North at 820 N Orleans St, just steps from downtown Chicago’s busiest shopping area. It is easy to reach, whether you are local to the city or visiting from surrounding suburbs.
Tickets are sold as timed entry, and it is ideal to purchase in advance through the Chicago location page. This helps keep the experience comfortable and gives families enough space to fully enjoy every part!
Most visits last around 60–90 minutes, though many kiddos would (and do) happily stay longer.
For Chicago parents searching for indoor activities that families can actually enjoy together, Sloomoo hits the spot: interactive enough for energetic kids, creative enough for imaginative kids, and satisfying enough that adults are not secretly counting down until it’s time to leave.
It’s also one of the few things to do in Chicago for kids that feels equally great on a freezing winter afternoon, a rainy spring weekend, or a too-hot summer day when everyone needs a break from the heat.
Wear clothes you are comfortable playing in, prepare for slime-covered hands (don’t worry - slime sticks to itself so it comes off with ease), and expect YOU and the kid to talk about it nonstop afterward.
More Ways to Experience Sloomoo Chicago
There are so many fun things to do in Chicago with kids, but Sloomoo goes further than general admission. Whether you are celebrating, learning, or just looking for a reason to get together, there is a way to make it a Sloomoo moment.
Here’s what we have…
Birthday Parties
Sloomoo birthday parties turn slime-making into the main event, complete with private party rooms and immersive play throughout the experience. Everyone can even get slimed together. Don’t forget to ask us about the Smash & Slime cakes, a giant clay creation drizzled with slime that everyone gets to squish away.. Plus, there are plenty of add-ons to choose from, and we are crazy for the Sloomoo piňata!
Plan your birthday celebration on the Chicago birthday parties page.
Field Trips
Sloomoo Chicago turns a field trip into something kids actually look forward to, with STEAM-connected learning elements woven into the experience. There are even pop quizzes that schools can take back afterward to make sure everyone picked up science lessons along the way. Hands-on, curriculum-connected, and genuinely fun.
Book your group on the Chicago field trips page.
Corporate & Private Events
Yes, adults love slime too. Sloomoo Chicago also hosts team-building events, private rentals, and corporate gatherings designed to break people out of the usual networking routine. Corporate groups have come to use the private party room for breakout sessions and have thrown epic holiday parties with catering. It’s the best way to connect with co-workers and get creative.
Plan your next team event at the Chicago corporate events page.
Your Questions About Sloomoo Chicago, Answered
How old do you have to be to visit Sloomoo Chicago?
Sloomoo Chicago is best for guests ages 4 and up. Adults are more than encouraged to join in (it is not a drop-off experience). Sloomoo was specifically designed for adults as well!
Do you need to buy tickets in advance for Sloomoo Chicago?
Yes. Sloomoo Chicago uses timed entry, so tickets should be purchased in advance.
Does Sloomoo Chicago offer birthday parties?
Yes. Sloomoo Chicago hosts private birthday parties with slime-making as the main activity.
Are there sensory-friendly hours at Sloomoo Chicago?
Yes. Sloomoo Chicago offers designated sensory-friendly hours for guests who benefit from a quieter, lower-stimulation environment. Check the Chicago location page for current dates and times.
