Chicago | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane Theater. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography

Concerts, Winter Festivals, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Enjoy fun indoor events or brave the cold for winter festivals.

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...

Frosty Fest is free this January in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Gurnee Park District

Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2025: Top Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Enjoy these free things to do with kids in Chicago this January, including puppet shows, winter...

Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook

Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Find the best FREE activities for kids in Chicago.

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 great destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm!

Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing this winter season.

Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Best play spaces and more Chicago spots for when bad weather strikes.

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.

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City.

The Persian Lilies in the Aroid house were stunning. Photo by Lisa Warden-3

Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do

Everything you need to know before you go.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Museums abound in the Chicago area. Here are the most entertaining ones for kids.

St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis

Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families

Plan a short trip away while keeping the cost down.

Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago

25 Things To Do With Little Kids in Chicago Before They Turn 5

Consider this your early childhood bucket list for raising a wee Chicagoan.

The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.

100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up

This is our Windy City bucket list for kids. How many have you checked off?

State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids

These state parks are the perfect weekend activity for your family.

Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago

Never carry a toddler two miles back to the car again.

Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg

Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining

Great for a special occasion, or just to keep the family entertained for a few hours.

Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders

Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids

Ninja and climbing gyms are a great way for older kids to get out those winter wiggles.

The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck

3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

It's hard to see Chicago in just three days, but here are some can't-miss suggestions.

Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook

Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Find the best FREE activities for kids in Chicago.

Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.

The Ultimate List of Chicago Children's Birthday Party Entertainers and Rentals

Having birthday party entertainers come to your home is a great way to host your kiddo's friends...

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

How to see Chicago's best museums and other attractions on a budget with kids.

Latest Articles

Cheap ways to get the whole family to London? Read on!

How to Plan Cheap, Crazy, Amazing, and Affordable Family Vacations

Jennifer Swope, Jan 11 - Machu Picchu and Paris on a budget? We've got a step-by-step plan! READ MORE

IHOP Pancakes photo by Wendi Gratz via Flickr 2 0

16 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in Chicago

Siobhan Adcock, Jan 10 - Here are 15 Chicago restaurants where grown-ups can have a great meal and kids can eat for FREE. READ MORE

The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane Theater. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography

Concerts, Winter Festivals, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Jan 8 - Enjoy fun indoor events or brave the cold for winter festivals. READ MORE

Ice Skating photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Chicago for Kids and Families

Lauren LaRoche, Jan 7 - Here are all the best places to skate outdoors this winter. READ MORE

Explore artistic classics at the Chicago Art Institute. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

100 FREE Things to Do In Chicago with Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Jan 5 - Want to have fun in Chicago with the kids without busting your wallet? Here are 100 great... 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 3 - These great destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm! READ MORE

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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...

Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.

42 Warm and Sunny Family Winter Vacation Ideas in the US and Abroad

Check out these great warm-weather destinations for your next family vacation.

The view is always great at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Take in a show, or climb (or jog) the steps when no one is around.

40 Things To Do in Denver with Kids, Other than Hiking

Mountains? Sure, but there's plenty more to explore in the Mile High City.

Family Travel Guide

The very best kid-friendly vacation destinations for making memories.

25 Things To Do in Cincinnati with Kids

Cincinnati features amusement parks, living history, unique cuisine, public play spaces, and the...

St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis

Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families

Plan a short trip away while keeping the cost down.

Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home

Execute mind-blowing science experiments with stuff you have around the house. READ MORE

Alphabet Soup. Photo courtesy of foodwithfeeling

100 Top Easy Recipes for Kids: Kid-Friendly Recipes for Every Meal

Look no further for breakfast, lunch, or dinner inspiration. READ MORE

The internet is full of coding programs for kids, but which are the best? We tested them all. Photo courtesy of Kodable

Best Free Coding for Kids Websites and Apps to Learn Programming Skills

These programs teach kids how to code, build websites and apps, and more. READ MORE

Playing card games is not only fun, social, and educational; it gets kids off screens!

25 Card Games Every Kid Should Know

Spit, Spoon, Snap ... and even some games that don't start with "S." READ MORE

Create a colorful, texturized world with a DIY sensory bin. Photo by Emma Graig

10 Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers

Turn a cheap container bin into a magical indoor play item. READ MORE

Hot chocolate bombs are a tasty winter treat for kids!

How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs in 5 Easy Steps

Trendy cocoa bombs deliver a sweet winter treat. READ MORE