Chicago

Take a magical trip on The Polar Express Train near Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicagothepolarexpressride.com

Best Holiday and Christmas Trains in Chicago

All aboard for holiday fun: These train rides are Chicago Christmas magic.

Try trunk or treat events in Chicago this Halloween. Photo courtesy of Bigstock.

Trunk-or-Treat Near Chicago: 31 Fun Halloween Events

These 31 Halloween events offer many opportunities for toddlers and small children to show off...

Don't miss trick-or-treating in Southport. Photo courtesy of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce.

The Best Trick-or-Treat Neighborhoods in Chicago

We've got the scoop on the neighborhoods serving up the best Halloween candy and family fun in...

Head to Navy Pier for Pier Pumpkin Nights, a free Halloween event in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier.

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.

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.

GUIDE

Apple Fest in Lincoln Square, photo courtesy of Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

Best Fall Festivals in Chicago for Kids and Families

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

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...

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...

GUIDE

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.

The Dr. Seuss Experience will be in Chicago in October (photo from Houston exhibit).

The Dr. Seuss Experience is Coming to Delight Kids in Chicago

"We sat in the house and did nothing at all," but now we are going to the Dr. Seuss Experience in...

Get lost with a friend in the corn maze at Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm.

Amazing Corn Mazes Near Chicago for Kids

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

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

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...

Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up in Chicago, photo courtesy of Fatima Sitabkhan.

Top Halloween Events Near Chicago for Kids and Families

Your guide to the best Halloween events near Chicago for kids in 2021.

Wicker Park's Boo-Palooza is a fun thing to do near Chicago this weekend. "Wicker Park Boo-Palooza: Dino-Dog & Dinosaur Jr." by MA1216 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Best Things to Do in Chicago this Weekend with Kids: Trunk-or-Treat, Day of the Dead

Check out the best activities in Chicago for kids this weekend, Oct. 23-24.

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

Check out our picks for mini golf courses for some outdoor (or indoor!) family fun near Chicago.

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...

It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

36 Fun Fall Activities in Chicago for Kids

Enjoy harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, farm fun, and more seasonal activities with this list of...

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

Best Classes for Kids in Chicago in 2021

Have fun with great classes for kids in Chicago.

GUIDE

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...

Pumpkin Palooza has festivities for the whole family at the DuPage Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Best Things To Do in Chicago in October 2021 with Kids: Halloween, Fall Fests, and Outdoor Fun

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

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.

Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.

Back-to-School Guide 2021-2022

Find cool backpacks, back-to-school supplies, and tips for a new year.

GUIDE

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...

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

15 Favorite Indoor Play Spaces in Chicago

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

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

The Best Children’s Museum in Every State

Did your favorite children's museum make the list?

15 Favorite Indoor Play Spaces in Chicago

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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 kids go back to school to the delight of parents all over the city!

Back To (In-Person, Full Day) School: Chicago Public School Calendar for 2021-22

As Chicago kids go back-to-school, you'll want to bookmark the 2021-22 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

Find crafts for kids, games, and more projects 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

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.

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!

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Find Things To Do In Chicago

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Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up - various times Pick

Open House Chicago
Throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area - 8:00 AM

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest
Cosley Zoo - 9:00 AM

Naperville Public Library Family Story Time
Nichols Library - 10:30 AM

Virtual Fairytale Story-Book Art Class for Kids
Creatively Wild Art Studio - 3:30 PM

Online Piano Lessons for Kids
Virtual
Classes & Drop-Ins

Virtual Pre-Ballet Class
Zoom - Online
Classes & Drop-Ins

Online Cartooning and Doodling Class for Kids
Creatively Wild Art Studio
Classes & Drop-Ins

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