Searching for the best ice cream in Chicago for families? We're serving up the ultimate guide to Chicago's top kid-friendly ice cream shops and spots.  Many of these fantastic places also offer an array of other delicious desserts like milkshakes, paletas, funnel cakes, and more, ensuring there's something for everyone in the family. From classic cones to over-the-top creations, unique vegan options, Instagram-worthy treats, and puppets (yes, PUPPETS!), get ready to explore and indulge!

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Eli's Ark
1843 W. North Avenue, Chicago
Eli's Ark in Wicker Park elevates the classic gelato cone into an adorable work of art, shaping scoops into charming animal characters like bears and unicorns. This creative twist on a beloved treat is a surefire hit with the little ones, adding an extra layer of magic and whimsy to their dessert experience. It's not just about the taste, but the delightful presentation that brings smiles to faces. Learn more...

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Runaway Cow
908 W. 31st St, Chicago
For a delightful and guilt-free indulgence, Runaway Cow in Chicago offers a 100% vegan ice cream experience that masterfully recreates classic frozen treats. They specialize in rich oat milk soft serve, transforming it into a nostalgic array of delights such as dipped cones, blended "Snowstorms," creamy shakes, malts, and decadent sundaes. Beyond the familiar, you can also savor unique offerings like banana splits, ice cream cookie sandwiches, and made-to-order ice cream cakes, all crafted to be indistinguishable from their dairy counterparts. Learn more...

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The Sugar Hole
4146 N. Elston Ave., Chicago
Chicago’s hardest-working puppet team, including Puddles, Moolissa, and Jeremiah Carburetor, are serving up ice cream this summer from 3 to 8 PM every weekend through Labor Day. New treats, tasty drinks, and feisty fresh puppet workers are yours to enjoy on the sidewalk. Plus SSSSSTRAWBERRRY soft serve, Backlot Cold Brew coffee, a variety of adult beverages, and hand pies from the one-and-only Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits. Learn more...

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26th Street Sugar Shack
630 W. 26th Street, Chicago
And for a truly indulgent twist, head to the 26th Street Sugar Shack in Bridgeport, where the crispy, warm goodness of a freshly fried funnel cake meets generous scoops of soft-serve ice cream and your favorite toppings. This unique combination creates a decadent sundae experience that's a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, offering a memorable and comforting treat unlike any other. Learn more...

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Kurimu Chicago
Locations in Lincoln Park (2), Wicker Park, Schaumburg, UIC
Kurimu is known for its Instagram-friendly, technicolor soft serve, often inspired by Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean desserts. They have several locations, including Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and UIC, and frequently collaborate with popular brands like Line Friends and Peanuts for special-edition flavors and merchandise and the cutest merch ever. Learn more...

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La Michoacana Premium
3108 W Lawrence, Chicago
La Michoacana Premium brings the vibrant and authentic flavors of Mexican paleterias to Chicago, offering a refreshing and colorful escape for ice cream and popsicle lovers. Beyond the classic ice cream scoops, this popular chain is renowned for its expansive selection of paletas—artisanal Mexican popsicles crafted from fresh fruits, creams, and sometimes chili for a spicy kick. You'll find an array of imaginative creations, from the refreshing mangonadas (a sweet, savory, and spicy mango treat) to unique ice cream flavors like corn or queso, alongside traditional favorites. Learn more...

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JoJo's ShakeBAR
23 W Hubbard St., Chicago
For families seeking truly unique and Instagram-worthy ice cream adventures in Chicago, JoJo's ShakeBAR offers an unforgettable experience. Prepare for a spectacle where milkshakes are transformed into towering masterpieces, adorned with an abundance of cookies, candies, and edible delights that are as fun to photograph as they are to devour. It's a place where over-the-top indulgence meets pure visual delight, making every visit a special occasion. Learn more...

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The Original Rainbow Cone
9233 S. Western Ave., Chicago
The Original Rainbow Cone, located in the Beverly neighborhood, has been a local favorite since it opened in 1926. They're best known for their famous flavor combination that makes up the original Rainbow cone: Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House (New York vanilla with cherries and walnuts) and Pistachio, topped off with Orange Sherbet. Other featured flavors include delights such as Black Walnut, Butter Pecan, Bubble Gum and Banana. Learn more...

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Cone Gourmet Ice Cream
CONE is family-owned and operated and offers a high quality of ice cream, service, and Irish flair. This ice cream shop offers European Style Soft Serve, Dairy and Non-Dairy options, and Hand-scooped Ice Cream Sandwiches. SLANTIE! (CHEERS!) Learn more...

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Lickity Split
6056 N. Broadway Ave. and 7000 N. Western Ave., Chicago
Located in the eclectic neighborhood of Edgewater on the corner of Glenlake and Broadway, Lickity Split brings back memories with retro candies and even special treats for your pups! In addition to Lickity Split's tasty frozen treats, they partner with other local businesses to bring customers the flakiest pastries, sweetest candy, and richest coffee in Chicago. Learn more...

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Black Dog Gelato
859 N Damen and 1955 W. Belmont, Chicago
Black Dog has locations in Ukranian Village, West Loop and Logan Square. and Lakeview, serving gourmet gelato and sorbets that are made using an artisanal process, right on site. The small batches us the simplest ingredients, and the flavors change frequently. Some unique flavors include Mint Cookie, Birthday Cake, Espresso Chip, Malted Vanilla, Strawberry Peanut Butter Cup and Lemon Ginger Toasted Marshmallow - all with natural, fresh flavorings. Learn more...

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Scooter's Frozen Custard
1658 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago
Scooter's Frozen Custard makes their custard fresh from scratch every day using local ingredients from Wisconsin. You can always rely on vanilla and chocolate to be available, and check the schedule for special rotating flavors like French Silk, Strawberry Oreo, After Dinner Mint, Peanut Butter Swirl and more. You can also build a "Concrete" - a frozen custard with your favorite toppings blended in, so thick that you can eat it upside down! Learn more...

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Margie's Candies
1960 N. Western Ave. and 1813 W Montrose Ave., Chicago
A visit to Margie's Candies for an ice cream treat is as much about the old fashioned, authentic ice cream parlor experience as it is about the delicious homemade sundaes, shakes and hand-dipped candies. Margie's has been a Chicago tradition since 1921, and all of the delectable treats and ice creams are made fresh with all natural ingredients. In addition to the original location, Margie's has a second spot at Damen and Western. · Learn more...

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Pretty Cool Ice Cream Logan Square
2353 N California Ave., Chicago
Hand crafted frozen novelties made in Logan Square, Chicago- Ice cream bars, dipped and decorated, popsicles, plant milk pops, and pony pops for kids! Pretty Cool Ice Cream is a small handmade ice cream company in Chicago Illinois, founded by award-winning pastry chef Dana Cree. This ice cream shop specializes in frozen novelties, like your favorite treats from the ice cream truck, all hand-made by a talented team of skilled artisans and designed with local artists. Stop by for ice cream bars, vegan pops, ice pops, and ice cream sandwiches, all hand-dipped and decorated in classic and contemporary flavors. Learn more...

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Taiyaki Chicago
2468 N Clark St., Chicago
Taiyaki is a traditional dessert in Japan, which translates to "fried fish," and you'll create your treat by filling your fish-shaped taiyaki with the ice cream and toppings of your choice. Ice creams are made from scratch using coconut oil rather than milk, for a non-dairy alternative to regular ice cream. In addition to taiyaki, you can try out delicious Smoothies, milkshakes, tea latte and fruit tea. Learn more...

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Vaca's Creamery
1436 W Blackhawk St. and 2324 W Giddings St, Chicago
This summer, two locations! Vaca's Creamery is an all-vegan ice cream shop offering soft serve, sundaes and shakes. Vaca's uses quality ingredients that align morally with vegan values, with absolutely no animal sources, no dairy, no eggs, no honey. Chocolate and vanilla soft serve are made with certified gluten-free oat milk. And All of the ice cream, waffle cones, sauces and most toppings are made with love on site. Learn more...

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BomboBar
832 W Randolph, Chicago
Stop by this Fulton Market favorite for more than just a cold treat! A bomboloni is a holeless Italian doughnut, and BomboBar serves bombolini infused with seasonally inspired fillings that you get to choose. Step up to the walk-up window and order one of six bombolini varieties, 12 gelato flavors, or a trio of gelato shakes (each topped with a mini bombolini!) The walk-up window also serves fresh coffee, lattes, espresso, tea, and cold brew. Learn more...