Spotlight Chicago
Build your own structures together at Chicago Architecture Center's Family Day. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Winter Fests, Museum Family Events, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Keep the party going after the holidays at one of Chicago's winter fests.
Tiny Picassos can enjoy different activities every day at the Art Institute’s Family Room. Photo by Maureen Wilkey, for Mommy Poppins
25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Chicago: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
These free destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm!
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
Fun and safe indoor spots for teens and tweens in Chicago.
Frosty Fest is free this January in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Gurnee Park District
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Chicago in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Enjoy these free things to do with kids in Chicago this January, including puppet shows, winter...
Snow tubing is a favorite winter activity in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Canva
Chicago's Winter Bucketlist: 33 Things to Do this Winter in Chicago with Kids
Don't let the cold stop you: We've got indoor, outdoor, and at-home picks for winter fun.
Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill
Best Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families in 2025
Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing this winter season.
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Find the best FREE activities for kids in Chicago.
Rack up those Scout Badges at these Chicago institutions. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places in Chicago Where Kids Can Earn Scout Badges
These places offer engaging Scout programs to help earn badges.
Try a hands-on museum for the whole family. Photo by Kyle Flubacker courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Things to Do in Chicago That Everyone Will Love—From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
From indoor fun on a rainy day to outdoor adventures under the skyline, Chicago is packed with...
You can easily spend all day at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Photo by the author
Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Tips and Tricks for Visiting with Kids
Educational fun at one of our favorite Chicago zoos.
See what swims by at the Shedd Aquarium. Beluga photo courtesy of the Illinois Tourism Board.
The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids 2025
Get up close and personal with animals from around the world.
Photo courtesy of Enchanted Castle.
Best Kid-Friendly Arcades in Chicago
Level up your family fun with the top arcade spots in Chicago.
If your teens enjoy pottery, then MADE Chicago in Bucktown is the spot.
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Chicago
Chicago’s crafting party options make it easy to celebrate your creative teen.
Teen Saturdays at Chicago Architecture Center. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center.
Teen Museum Programs in Chicago: Internships, Workshops, and More
Try one of these educational and experiential programs for teens.
Places to celebrate your baby before the smash cake. Photo by Kelly Patino for Mommy Poppins
Best Places to Celebrate a First Birthday in Chicago
Parks and indoor locations for the perfect first birthday celebration.
Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
Cooking Classes for Kids in Chicago: A Baker's Dozen of the Best Culinary Experiences in the City and Suburbs
Branch out beyond blue box macaroni.
Try one of these local businesses for a fun and unique birthday party. Photo courtesy of Ultimate Ninjas
Only in Chicago: Unique Birthday Party Ideas for Kids
Fun birthday party venues only found in Chicago.
​Launch is a Chicago trampoline park with bowling and an arcade, too. Photo courtesy of Visit Lake County
Trampoline Parks in Chicago to Burn Energy Indoors
Get out of the house but stay in the AC at a trampoline park.
Calm Waters is a sensory-friendly event at Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Shedd Aquarium
Sensory-Friendly Events in Chicago for Kids
Events with lower levels of noise, lights, and crowds.

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SEE ALL ACTIVITIES EVENTS CLASSES ATTRACTIONS VIRTUAL CAMPS PARTIES
Gurnee Frosty Fest
Viking Park - 10:30 AM Pick
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Founders Day Celebration
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 10:00 AM Pick
Chicago Architecture Center Family Days
Chicago Architecture Center - 10:00 AM Pick
Winterfest at Springbrook Nature Center
Springbrook Nature Center - 11:00 AM Pick
Lakeshore Learning's Cool Creations
- 11:00 AM Pick
RAIN: For Babies and Their Carers
Filament Theater - various times Pick
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Budding Botanist
Garfield Park Conservatory - 11:00 AM
South of Chi Family Improv
Nathan Manilow Theatre at Freedom Hall - 2:30 PM
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Vivid Creatures at the Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum - various times
RAIN: For Babies and Their Carers
Filament Theater - various times Pick
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Sensory-Friendly Time at Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build a Bear Workshops Chicago area locations - 10:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
RAIN: For Babies and Their Carers
Filament Theater - various times Pick
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Destination Discovery Story Time at The Field Museum
Field Museum - 10:30 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series
Various Chicago Parks - 5:15 PM
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series
Various Chicago Parks - 5:15 PM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Brookfield Zoo Free Days
Brookfield Zoo - various times
Holiday Flower Show at Wilder Park Conservatory
Wilder Park - 8:00 AM
Museum of Ice Cream's Pinkmas!
Museum of Ice Cream - 10:00 AM
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink - various times
Vivid Creatures at the Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum - various times

Latest Articles

Visit the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Free Museum Days (and Always Free Museums!) in Chicago
Siobhan Adcock, Jan 9 - How to see Chicago's best museums and other attractions on a budget with kids. READ MORE
Build your own structures together at Chicago Architecture Center's Family Day. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Winter Fests, Museum Family Events, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Maureen Wilkey, Jan 7 - Keep the party going after the holidays at one of Chicago's winter fests. READ MORE
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
Maureen Wilkey, Jan 4 - Fun and safe indoor spots for teens and tweens in Chicago. READ MORE
Beach, volcano, chocolate, water sports, hiking, horseback, amazing food, incredible people... why St. Lucia should be your next family vacation. Photo courtesy of Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
St. Lucia With Kids: Stay at Coconut Bay and Explore the Island’s Best Family Adventures
Meghan Rose, Jan 3 - We may have discovered paradise. And the perfect multi-gen vacation spot. READ MORE
Tiny Picassos can enjoy different activities every day at the Art Institute’s Family Room. Photo by Maureen Wilkey, for Mommy Poppins
25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Chicago: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Maureen Wilkey, Jan 2 - These free destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm! READ MORE
Does your family run on a host of pieces of paper stuck to the wall? There's an app for that. Photo courtesy of Pixelshot via Canva
Best Shared Family Calendar Apps (Tested by a Real Parent)
Ally Noel, Jan 1 - The best way to keep your crew organized. READ MORE
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