Chicago

Swedish Day celebrates the traditions of Midsommar. Photo courtesy of the event

Father's Day Weekend: Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Find out where to celebrate dads and honor Juneteenth this weekend.

Splash Island in Oak Brook. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District

25 Amazing Water Playgrounds and Spraygrounds for Chicago Kids

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.

Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids

The very best things to do with kids this summer in and around Chicago.

GUIDE

Make a day of it at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by the author

20 Day Trips near Chicago for Kids This Summer

Ready for a little exploring? Day trip to a park, beach, or zoo!

Strawberry picking at Cody's Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Strawberry Picking near Chicago: U-Pick Berry Farms for Illinois Families

Pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and even gooseberries.

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

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

Check out these Chicago beaches for summer day trip destinations.

Best Beaches in Chicago for Families

Who says you need an ocean to go to the beach?

The water is fine (and fun!) at Raging Waves.

Best Outdoor Water Parks near Chicago

Cool off on slides, tubes, and more at these nearby water parks.

The Chicago Park District provides a fun-filled summer for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Park District

Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

No need to break the bank this summer.

The Royal Grocer is a Bucktown neighborhood family-friendly restaurant (with tiki torches)!

18 Fun Chicago-Area Outdoor Restaurants for Families

Dine outdoors at these family-favorite spots.

Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Find a summer camp for every age and interest around Chicagoland!

GUIDE

Be sure to bundle up in the chillier months, but it's always beautiful.

Exploring the Shore Path of Lake Geneva: A Great Way to Beat Cabin Fever

Get the inside scoop on a day trip that's wonderful any time of year.

Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Fly through the air or walk across a suspension bridge at these parks.

No need for castles in the air when you can build them in the sand at The Harbor Grand.

Amazing Lake Resorts in the Midwest for Family Summer Getaways

Resorts where kids can jump in a lake and parents can get pampered.

Play inside again at places like Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place

Chicago’s Best Indoor Play Spaces

When the weather's at its worst, these indoor play spaces are a wish come true.

The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids

Get up close and personal with animals from around the world.

Take your little one for a splash in the Crown Fountain. Photo by Sandor Weisz

20 Things To Do with Chicago Babies Before They Turn One

Start your urban parenting journey with these fun outings.

Meet some furry new friends at these kid-friendly farms. Photo by the author

Cream of the Crop: 10 Best Farms for Family Fun and Entertainment in Chicago

Pick flowers, cuddle baby animals, and hop on a ride at these family farms.

YMCA Camps Chicago. Photo courtesy of the YMCA of Chicago

20+ Top Chicago Summer Day Camps for 2021

We've rounded up the best day camp options throughout Chicagoland.

It's party time at Purple Monkey Playroom.

The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids—Now Open

Play gyms, ninja training, and more: Chicago's birthday party options are hard to top.

One, two, three, jump! The Peninsula—Gold Coast, Chicago

Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago for Families

For a warm daycation or staycation, look no further.

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

In a city of great playgrounds, these are the swings, climbers, and slides worth the trip.

Can you trust your eyes at the Museum of Illusions? Photo by Jody Mercier

What's Open in Chicago for Kids Right Now

It's the completely comprehensive list you've been waiting for.

Keep babies occupied with highchair activities at their own baby activity center.

Turn a Highchair into a Baby Activity Center with These Ideas

These no cost, no mess activities give parents a little break.

Where kids can take a closer look and learn how things work. Photo courtesy of Camp Invention

10 Can't-Miss In-Person and Virtual STEM Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

From battle bots to 3D printing to Harry Potter science.

At-Home Guide for Families: 100s of Activities for Kids

Indoor activities, games, and online fun to keep kids busy during the pandemic.

GUIDE

Chicago Schools Set Reopening Dates: Chicago Public School Calendar for 2020-21

As Chicago schools reopen, you'll want to bookmark this 2020-21 school calendar.

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

64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home

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

Easy Recipes for Kids

Simple but delicious recipes for families.

GUIDE

30 Days of Indoor Activities for Kids

Games, baking projects, and crafts galore will entertain all ages.

Party hats and pretty punch make virtual birthday celebrations special.

Virtual and Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas for Kids

Birthday? How about a drive-by parade, a Zoom party, or a Broadway show from home?

The Colors of Us can help kids talk about race and see differences as strengths.

21 Kids' Books About Racism, By Age

Books can help parents and kids wade through a difficult time and complex issue.

Fight the restlessness of quarantine, join in for LIVE ONLINE YogiKids classes held every day, twice a day!!! Photo courtesy of Yogi Nation

Find Free and Affordable Online Classes, Parties, and Camps on Poppins@Home

Explore tons of virtual free and low-cost fun with our new platform.

Coding Programs for Kids: Free and Cheap Websites That Teach Kids Programming

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

Virtual and Online Guide for Family Fun

Find fun online classes, entertainment, and more virtual things to do.

GUIDE

Make the day special by letting your kid call the shots!

30+ Free Ways to Celebrate Your Kid's Birthday at Home

Make your kid's birthday special with these creative, no-cost ideas.

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

These classic family movies include wild adventures, sci-fi, and coming-of-age tales.

65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age

It's not a bad time to go back to basics, especially when we have the kids' full attention.

Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.

Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects for Creative At-Home Fun

Bookmark this blockbuster list of arts and crafts and never run out of ideas for creative play.

Boredom Busters for Kids

Crafts, recipes, games, projects, and experiments to spark kids' imaginations!

GUIDE

Watch as the egg slides into the bottle!

How to Get an Egg into a Bottle: A Science Experiment with a Bit of Magic

Kids play both scientist and magician in this experiment.

Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families

We'll help you navigate a complex school year with these tools and resources.

GUIDE

Get ready to enjoy some mini golf near Chicago this summer! Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park/Facebook

15 Mini Golf Courses Near Chicago for Kid-Friendly Putt-Putt

There's no shortage of mini golf near Chicago—and it might just be one of the better summer...

Enjoy the sights of Chicago on a Shoreline Sightseeing Cruise.

Best Boat Rides for Chicago Area Families

Choose a speedy ride, sailboat, or relaxing river cruise with these Chicago boat tours.

10 Activities To Do with Grandparents on Zoom

Games and activities make virtual hangouts more fun and meaningful for all.

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

DIY projects for your smallest tinkerers, explorers, and scientists.

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.

22 Online Tutoring Services for Homework Help and Remote Learning

Find an online tutor in any subject with these services–some are available 24/7!

Kids as young as age 10 can help load and unload the dishwasher.

Chore Charts for Kids: Age-by-Age Lists and Free Printables

There's no better time to enlist your kids help with housework. Here are age-appropriate tasks.

Making time for reading each day is a low-key goal that works for all ages. Photo by Josh Applegate/Unsplash

The Realistic Guide to Homeschooling for Busy Parents

No one expects you to run a full school. Here are some realistic tips instead.

Online Birthing, Lamaze, and Parenting Classes for Parents-To-Be

Can't make it to an in-person childbirth class? There are online options!

Watch your sketch appear in this invisible ink science experiment!

Science Experiments for Kids: How to Make Invisible Ink

Write secret messages with this simple invisible ink recipe.

VIDEO

These free online classes and educational resources are perfect for homeschooling and remote learning..

30+ (Mostly FREE) Online Learning Resources, Apps, and Games for Kids

Supplement distance learning with these online lessons, apps, and more.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Photo courtesy of NPS

Rocky Mountain National Park: Guide for Visiting with Kids

Expect plenty of wildlife sightings and family hikes on this trip!

Even if it's cloudy and raining outside, you can create sunshine and rainbows inside.

50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Try one of these boredom-busting activities to turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

Hand them a pail and a spoon, er, shovel, and let kids dig in the dirt.

Outdoor Fun with Kids: 30 Ways to Get Messy in the Backyard

Build a ladybug house, splatter paint, or just dig in the dirt!

13 Simple Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Do at Home

Create popsicle stick monsters, tinfoil Easter eggs, and more easy crafts with tots.

10 Classic Outdoor Games from the '70s that It’s Time To Teach Your Kids

When folks say, “We just went outside and played,” can anyone remember what we played?

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Find Things To Do In Chicago

SEE ALL ACTIVITIESEVENTSCLASSESATTRACTIONSVIRTUALCAMPSPARTIES

Wiggleworms at Navy Pier
Polk Brothers Park - various times Pick

Juneteenth Story Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History - 9:00 AM

SummerBurst at Kohl Children's Museum
Kohl Children's Museum - 9:00 AM

Bubbles and Balloons Playtime
Purple Monkey Playroom - 10:00 AM

Picnic & Paddle
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch - 11:00 AM

Zumbini with Jan Online Music and Movement Classes
Zoom - Online
Classes & Drop-Ins

Secrets of the Rubiks Cube Online Camp
Young Gates-KIds Online Personalized Classes
Classes & Drop-Ins

Online Piano Lessons
Virtual
Classes & Drop-Ins

Latest Articles

20 Day Trips near Chicago for Kids This Summer

Maureen Wilkey , Jun 18 - Ready for a little exploring? Day trip to a park, beach, or zoo!READ MORE

15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier

Ally Noel , Jun 17 - These genius #MomHacks make mothering a little easier.READ MORE

Father's Day Weekend: Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Jun 16 - Find out where to celebrate dads and honor Juneteenth this weekend.READ MORE

10 Hilarious, and Sometimes Very Messy, Bubble Wrap Games for Kids

Ally Noel, Jun 15 - Enjoy these silly, messy, and totally fun bubble wrap games and crafts.READ MORE

It’s Time To "Gogh" Out Again: Enjoying Immersive Van Gogh in Chicago with Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Jun 13 - Here are all the reasons you really should Gogh.READ MORE

Strawberry Picking near Chicago: U-Pick Berry Farms for Illinois Families

Maureen Wilkey, Jun 11 - Pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and even gooseberries.READ MORE

Best Beaches in Chicago for Families

Who says you need an ocean to go to the beach?

25 Amazing Water Playgrounds and Spraygrounds for Chicago Kids

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

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

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Fly through the air or walk across a suspension bridge at these parks.

Exploring the Shore Path of Lake Geneva: A Great Way to Beat Cabin Fever

Get the inside scoop on a day trip that's wonderful any time of year.

The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids

Get up close and personal with animals from around the world.

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