Spotlight Chicago
The Millennium Park tree lighting kicks off the holiday season. Photo by City of Chicago.
Tree Lightings, Children's Theater, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Start Thanksgiving break with a tree lighting, or check out events at the zoo or children's museum.
Take a stroll through the conservatory for some active Thanksgiving family fun. Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory
What's Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago? Places Open for Family Fun
Start here if you forgot the rolls - or if you just need to get out of the house.
Let one of these Chicago restaurants do the cooking this Thanksgiving.
Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago
What if we told you that you didn't have to cook all day?
Pumpkin picking is a firm fall favorite. Photo courtesy of Keller's Farmstand
GUIDE
Chicago Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
Discover the best things to do with kids in Chicago this fall, from hikes and day trips, to apple...
Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane
Where to Have Breakfast with Santa in Chicago This Holiday Season
Get your pancakes and Santa photo all in one.
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Pictures with Santa in Chicago 2025: From Museums to the Mall
Share a pizza, cookies, or just a photo with Santa!
Visit Santa at the Midwestern Christmas town of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of cedarburgfestival.org
The Best Christmas Towns in the Midwest
Shop, visit Santa, and get into the holiday spirit with a trip to one of these idyllic Christmas...
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
25 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Check out our editor's picks for families in Chicago this November 2025.
Happy Holiday Railway. Photo courtesy of the Illinois Railway Museum
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Chicago 2025
Where can you still get Polar Express tickets? Check here.
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...
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden. Photo courtesy of the event.
The Chicago Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out
The hottest Christmas tickets in town.
These towns near Chicago have some of the best fall colors in the Midwest. Photo courtesy of Illinois.gov
Best Towns Near Chicago to See Fall Colors
Pack a thermos of cider, bundle up the kids, and discover why these towns are the perfect backdrop...
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.
It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Apple Holler Orchard
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 37 Things To Do in Chicago This Fall
Enjoy harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, farm fun, and more.
Just about an hour from Chicago, kids can pick apples at Apple Holler from mid-August to November.
Apple Picking near Chicago: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids
The best apple orchards within a two-hour drive of Chicago for your apple-picking pleasure, many...
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.
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.
The Sugar Hole is a pop-up ice cream shop in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Sugar Hole, courtesy of Color Club.
Best Ice Cream Near Chicago: 14 Ice Cream Parlors and Ice Cream Shops Kids Adore
Head to one of these ice cream shops for a tasty summer treat.
Spend a weekend in Chicago without breaking the bank.
Chicago Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
A guide to weekend fun on the cheap.
The Indianapolis Children's Museum is one of the nation's best. Photo by Valerie Everett via Flickr 2.0
Indianapolis with Kids: 20 Best Things To Do in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is full of fun for families with kids of all ages.
Lincoln Park Zoo photo by Dice Sales courtesy of the Illinois Tourism Bureau
Awesome Self-Guided Walking Tours of Chicago with Kids
Take the kids on a walking tour of a new neighborhood with this handy itinerary guide.
Explore artistic classics at the Chicago Art Institute. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
100 FREE Things to Do In Chicago with Kids
Want to have fun in Chicago with the kids without busting your wallet? Here are 100 great...
Hello Baby is a free indoor playground in Woodlawn. Photo courtesy of Hello Baby
Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Chicago for Babies & Toddlers
The perfect play areas for stir-crazy toddlers.

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SEE ALL ACTIVITIES EVENTS CLASSES ATTRACTIONS VIRTUAL CAMPS PARTIES
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
112th Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Millennium Park - 5:00 PM Pick
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo - various times Pick
Peter Pan at Chicago Kids Company
Stahl Family Theatre - 10:30 AM
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
Saturday Story Time at the Book Stall: "Mermaids Are The Worst"
The Book Stall - 10:30 AM Pick
Holiday Delight and Komodo Matsuri
Japanese American Service Committee - 10:00 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Magnificent Mile - 5:30 PM Pick
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo - various times Pick
Children's Museum of Oak Lawn Sensory Friendly Play Sessions
Children's Museum of Oak Lawn - 9:00 AM
Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit
Chicago Children's Museum - 10:00 AM
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit
Chicago Children's Museum - 10:00 AM
Thanksgiving Week of Play at Chicago Children's Museum
Chicago Children's Museum - 10:00 AM
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Daley Plaza - 11:00 AM
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Sensory-Friendly Time at Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build a Bear Workshops Chicago area locations - 10:00 AM
Chicken Little
Beverly Arts Center - 10:30 AM
Peter Pan at Chicago Kids Company
Stahl Family Theatre - 10:30 AM
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Free Days at the DuSable Museum of African American History
The DuSable Museum of African American Art - 10:00 AM
Chicken Little
Beverly Arts Center - 10:30 AM
Peter Pan at Chicago Kids Company
Stahl Family Theatre - 10:30 AM
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
State Street - 8:00 AM Pick
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry - 9:30 AM Pick
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo - 4:00 PM Pick
Take Care with Peanuts: The Exhibit
Chicago Children's Museum - 10:00 AM
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Daley Plaza - 11:00 AM

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The Millennium Park tree lighting kicks off the holiday season. Photo by City of Chicago.
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Take a stroll through the conservatory for some active Thanksgiving family fun. Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory
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Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
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