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Buddy the Elf at Hyde Park Holly-Days, photo courtesy of 53rd St. Hyde Park , Facebook

Holiday Shows and More Fun Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids

Check out the best activities in Chicago for kids this weekend, December 2-4.

Take your pictures with Santa at the 900 N Michigan Shops. Photo courtesy of the shops

Pictures with Santa in Chicago: Where to See Santa in Chicagoland

Share a pizza, cookies, or just a photo with Santa!

pexels-josh-willink

Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families

Christmas or Xmas, Hanukkah or Chanukah, there are plenty of ways for families to enjoy the season...

CTA is running its holiday trains and buses in 2022. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Loop Alliance

CTA Holiday Trains and Other Christmas Train Shows in Chicago

CTA Holiday Trains and buses are back for 2022!

Light Up the Lake for a Christmas lights display. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago

Brighten up your holiday nights with a visit to one of these elaborate lights displays and...

Kids can volunteer alongside parents at these Chicago charities. Photo courtesy of the Greater Chicago Food Depository

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in Chicago

Help your community celebrate the holidays with one of these volunteering opportunities for...

Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Chicago for Kids and Families

All the best places to ice skate this winter.

SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.

This App Offers Up to 80% Off the Whole Family’s Prescription Meds–Here’s My SingleCare Review

And prices are often lower than an insurance copay.

The Art Deco Nutcracker photo by Dan Swinton Imagery, courtesy of the A & A Ballet

27 Ways to See The Nutcracker Ballet in Chicago this Holiday Season

Catch the classic holiday ballet this year at one of these excellent productions.

Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane

Breakfast with Santa in Chicago

Get your pancakes and Santa photo all in one.

There are many popular bar and bat mitzvah venues in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes

Top Bat and Bar Mitzvah Venues in Chicago

Planning a bar or bat mitzvah? Try one of these venues.

Photo courtesy of YMCA of Metro Chicago

Free and Cheap After School Programs in Chicago for Kids

As much as parents would like to be home and attentive to their children at 3 p.m. every day, it...

Take your pictures with Santa at the 900 N Michigan Shops. Photo courtesy of the shops

Pictures with Santa in Chicago: Where to See Santa in Chicagoland

Share a pizza, cookies, or just a photo with Santa!

Chicago SummerDance photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Free Things To Do with Chicago Kids this Fall

Fall is bursting with free festivals, performances, and harvest fairs for families all around...

Just about an hour from Chicago, kids can pick apples at Apple Holler from mid-August to November.

Best Orchards for Apple Picking Near Chicago with Kids

We’ve selected 14 of the best apple orchards within a two-hour drive of Chicago for your...

Family-friendly and voted one of the top 5 escape rooms in the USA! Photo courtesy of Escape Factor in Forest Park

Best Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Chicago

Escape rooms are a great activity for the entire family.

Checking out the exhibits at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

Chicago's Museum Campus is the perfect place to visit more than one museum in a day, and the Adler...

Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.

Best Classes for Kids in Chicago in 2022

Have fun with great classes for kids in Chicago.

Take pregnancy classes from a birth center or doula if you choose. Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Doulas

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Chicago

Learn more about pregnancy and parenting with other parents-to-be in Chicago.

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

Little chefs will love these cooking classes.

Bright Horizons operates more than 1,000 nurturing, enriching, and convenient early education centers across the globe.

How to Find the Right Chicago Daycare or Preschool for Your Kid

The experts at Bright Horizons share what to look for.

There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing

You can go fishing with kids without even leaving the city.

Birthday parties at these indoor skydiving venues include a flight class, two flights per guest, and party room time. Photo courtesy of iFly

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Chicago: 18 Cool Party Places for Teens

Need a birthday party idea for your teen or tween? Check out this list.

Children's museums are a favorite indoor activity in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Children's Museum, located at Navy Pier

50 Awesome Things To Do Indoors in Chicago with Kids

Indoor places to play, learn, create, and climb with Chicago kids on cold or rainy days.

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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

Check out this Chicago gem all year round.

The Original Rainbow Cone is unlike any other ice cream out there. Photo courtesy of Rainbow Cone

Best Ice Cream Near Chicago: 12 Ice Cream Parlors and Ice Cream Shops Kids Adore

Head to one of these ice cream shops for a tasty summer treat.

The Zoo is one of the best things to do with kids in Lincoln Park. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Best Things to Do in Chicago's Lincoln Park Neighborhood with Kids

Explore Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood with these kid-friendly options.

ChiTown Movies is a drive-in movie theater in Chicago. Photo courtesy of ChiTown Futbol, Facebook

Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Chicago for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Head outside and see a movie this summer.

Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids

There are so many hotdogs for kids to try in Chicago!

Best Things to See and Do at the Shedd Aquarium with Kids

Headed to the Shedd? Here's what you can't miss.

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm, Facebook

12 Animal Encounters and Petting Zoos near Chicago

The best places near Chicago for kids to cuddle animals.

Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.

10 Kid-Friendly Hotels in Chicago for a Family Vacation

We managed to pick 10 great kid-friendly hotels out of the hundreds in Chicago.

There are lots of options for indoor and outdoor skate parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Schaumburg Park District

Top 10 Skate Parks Near Chicago for Kids

The Chicago area has plenty of options for your aspiring skaters.

Read, set, race at the Chicago Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

When Kids Get in Free at 30 Chicago Museums, Zoos, and Parks

How to see Chicago's best arts and parks on a budget with kids.

Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook

Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop

Rediscover or explore the West Loop for the first time with these kid-friendly recommendations.

Dine with a view at any Chicago riverfront restaurant. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

Best Restaurants on the River: Chicago River Dining for Families

Interested in dining on the Chicago riverfront with kids? Try on of these favorites.

Chicago's museums are some of the top tourist attractions in the city. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do With Kids

It may be called The Second City, but Chicago is second to none when it comes to urban vacation...

Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Best play spaces, bowling, obstacle courses, museums, and more NJ spots for when bad weather...

Semicolon is a Black-owned bookstore in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Semicolon

Black-Owned Businesses to Discover in Chicago

Check out a Black-owned business for Black History Month and all year long.

PLAY at Yorktown Center. Photo courtesy of the center

20 Free Indoor Play Spaces Near Chicago

20 places to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm in Chicago's frigid witners.

Photo courtesy of Enchanted Castle

The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids

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

Kids will have a hard time deciding between all the delicious treats at Dinkel's, the 100 year old Bavarian bakery

Favorite Things To Do with Kids in Roscoe Village and North Center

Our favorite things to do with kids in two of Chicago's unique neighborhoods.

Photo courtesy of the author

Best Things To See and Do at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

Check out our favorite things to do at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo!

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

Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Find the best FREE activities for kids in Chicago.

The iconic ConAgra mural in Chicago, created by artist Jeff Zimmermann, is visible from the 606 elevated Bloomingdale Trail. Photo courtesy of jazim.com

Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids in Bucktown and Wicker Park

Kid-friendly things to do and places to eat in Bucktown and Wicker Park.

Spectacular city views of the Chicago Skyline in River North. Photo courtesy of Wendella Boat Tours.

The Best Things to Do In Chicago's River North and Gold Coast Neighborhoods with Kids

Whether you’re in town for a day or a week, there are plenty of things to do in River North and...

The Field Museum is home to some of the country's most complete dinosaur skeletons.

The Land Before Time: How to Do Chicago's Field Museum with Kids

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is one of the country's favorites. Read our tips and...

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.

Calling all Chicago Cubs fans! Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

Things To Do in Wrigleyville with Kids

Check out our tips for what to eat, see, and do near Wrigley Field with kids.

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

Children's outdoor birthday parties and parties at home are even more special this year. But even...

The Outdoor Play Plaza at Greensboro Children's Museum in North Carolina.

The Best Children’s Museums in the US: Museums Worth Planning a Vacation Around

Did your favorite children's museum make the list?

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.

See the elephants at the Milwaukee Zoo.

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.

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.

Mary Bartelme Park, named after the first female judge in Chicago. Photo by Ron Gordon.

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

In a city of great playgrounds, these are the swings, climbers, and slides that stand out above the...

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.

A bowl of chili. Photo by Svitlana via Unsplash

Easy Recipes for Kids

Simple but delicious recipes for families.

Lego plus sand means a fun sensory bin!

30 Days of Indoor Activities for Kids

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

Laila's Lunchbos is a lovely introduction to a child's new country and Ramadan, the month of fasting.

21 Kids' Books About Racism, By Age

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

Photo courtesy of Kodable

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

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

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.

These kids movies are classic hits!

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

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

Teach 'em to tie during downtime.

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

Find crafts for kids, games, and more projects to spark kids' imaginations!

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.

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.

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.

Find Things To Do In Chicago

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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

Kohlights
Kohl's Children's Museum - 4:30 PM Pick

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along
Millennium Park - 6:00 PM Pick

Salt Creek Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Northshore Performing Arts Center
Northshore Center for the Performing Arts - various times Pick

Artificial Intelligence with Scratch Online Camp
Young Gates - Kids Online Personalized Classes

Online Robotics Camp
Young Gates - Kids Online Personalized Classes
Classes & Camps

Harlem Globetrotters in Chicago
Wintrust Arena
Events

Latest Articles

50 Best Christmas Songs for Kids

Gina Massaro, Dec 1 - These Christmas songs will put the whole family in the holiday spirit. READ MORE

Holiday Shows and More Fun Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Nov 30 - Check out the best activities in Chicago for kids this weekend, December 2-4.READ MORE

101 Christmas Crafts for Kids, Plus Christmas Games and More At-Home Activities

Ally Noel, Nov 29 - Keep kids busy until it's time to tear into stockings!READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa in Chicago

Jessica Stautberg, Nov 27 - Get your pancakes and Santa photo all in one.READ MORE

Minneapolis with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jackie Jones, Nov 26 - The Twin Cities are full of fun ways to make family memories in the midwest. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa in Chicago: Where to See Santa in Chicagoland

Maureen Wilkey, Nov 25 - Share a pizza, cookies, or just a photo with Santa!READ MORE

Winter Fun for Chicago Kids

The Chicago Wolves Ice Skating Rink at the Brookfield Zoo is made of a synthetic material called Glice that requires no water and does not need to be kept below 32 degrees. Photo Courtesy of the Chicago Zoological Society

Winter Activities Guide for Chicago Kids

Here's our ultimate guide to the best things to do with kids in Chicago this winter, from ice...

Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Chicago for Kids and Families

All the best places to ice skate this winter.

Visit the Ice Castles in Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of Geneva National Resort

The Best Winter Day Trips Near Chicago for Kids

Looking for something to do in that post-holiday stretch? Take the kids out on an all-day adventure.

Read, set, race at the Chicago Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

When Kids Get in Free at 30 Chicago Museums, Zoos, and Parks

How to see Chicago's best arts and parks on a budget with kids.