Chicago | MommyPoppins - Things to do in Chicago with Kids

Spotlight Chicago

Find spooky Halloween fun around Chicago with our guide

Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Chicago Kids

The best Halloween events and seasonal fun for Chicago kids.

Lincoln Park Spooktacular is one of the most popular free Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event

Best Free Halloween Events In Chicago For Kids

Halloween can get expensive! Luckily, we've got a long list of free Halloween events for kids.

Photo courtesy of Midnight Circus in the Parks, Facebook

Best of October: Halloween, Fall Fests, and More Fun Things To Do in Chicago

While you're deciding what to do for Halloween, October has plenty of other fun going on.

Pumpkin picking is a firm fall favorite. Photo courtesy of Keller's Farmstand

Fall Fun Guide for Chicago Kids

Discover the best things to do with kids in Chicago this fall, from hikes and day trips, to apple...

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.

Boo at the Zoo photo courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo

Top Halloween Events in Chicago for Kids and Families

Your guide to the best Halloween events near Chicago for kids in 2022.

Gorgeous pumpkins await at All Seasons Apple Orchard in Woodstock, a pumpkin patch near Chicago. Photo courtesy of orchard

The 23 Best Pumpkin Patches near Chicago for Kids

Pick from more than a dozen pumpkin patches and pumpkin farms near Chicago for a day of fall family...

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...

It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Apple Holler Orchard

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 36 Awesome Things To Do in Chicago This Fall

Enjoy harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, farm fun, and more.

Photo courtesy of All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock, Illinois.

Amazing Corn Mazes near Chicago for Kids

A corn maze is the most fun you can have getting (sort of) lost.

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...

Elim Dutch Fest photo courtesy of Elim Christian Services

Best Fall Festivals near Chicago for Families

Harvest festivals, Oktoberfests, and more family-friendly fairs and festivals in Chicago this fall.

When you’re looking for a fun and festive fall day trip from Chicago, a local farm is a great place to start. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm

20 Fall Day Trips from Chicago for Families

Fall is the perfect time to plan a family day trip.

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.

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.

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!

Latest Articles

20 Hilariously Spooky Halloween Jokes for Kids

Rose Gordon Sala, Oct 4 - Crack up your little goblins with these jokes!READ MORE

Best Free Halloween Events In Chicago For Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Oct 2 - Halloween can get expensive! Luckily, we've got a long list of free Halloween events for kids. READ MORE

Best of October: Halloween, Fall Fests, and More Fun Things To Do in Chicago

Maureen Wilkey, Sep 30 - While you're deciding what to do for Halloween, October has plenty of other fun going on.READ MORE

How To Make a Piñata at Home: Easy Paper Bag Piñatas

Maureen Wilkey, Sep 29 - Bursting with fun (and candy), this easy craft can help you celebrate any occasion.READ MORE

Museum Family Days and More Fun Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids

Maureen Wilkey, Sep 28 - Check out the best activities in Chicago for kids this weekend, October 7-9.READ MORE

30 Best Kids' Halloween Movies with Not-so-Scary Thrills and Chills

Ally Noel, Sep 27 - Queue up some mild Halloween frights for family movie night.READ MORE

Fall Fun for Chicago Kids

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...

Elim Dutch Fest photo courtesy of Elim Christian Services

Best Fall Festivals near Chicago for Families

Harvest festivals, Oktoberfests, and more family-friendly fairs and festivals in Chicago this fall.

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.

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...

When you’re looking for a fun and festive fall day trip from Chicago, a local farm is a great place to start. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm

20 Fall Day Trips from Chicago for Families

Fall is the perfect time to plan a family day trip.