Cirque Italia Water Circus. Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Swiftie Events and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm, Facebook

12 Animal Encounters and Petting Zoos Near Chicago

Eclipse photo by Andrew Shirey. Courtesy of the National Park Service

20 Fun and FREE Things To Do in Chicago April 2024 With Kids

Kids at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield. Photo by Maureen Wilkey for Mommy Poppins

Springfield with Kids: Best Things to Do in Springfield, IL

Celebrate Mom with one of these fun things to do on Mother's Day in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Odyssey at Navy Pier

30 Things to Do on Mother's Day 2024 in Chicago

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

GUIDE

Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival

35 Spring Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

The lion cubs; Pesho, Lomelok and Sidai! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

What's New at Chicago Zoos: Cute Cubs and a Primate Forest at the Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos

Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem

Best Summer Camps for Teens in Chicago

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Three boys having fun at an arcade. Photo courtesy of Laser X in Addison

Top Spots for Laser Tag and Paintball Fun for Kids in Chicago

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

Birthday Party fun! Photo courtesy of POW! Gym

The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids

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

Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Things to Do with Kids on Navy Pier in Chicago

Whether your kids are into theater, cooking, sports, or STEM, we've got you covered! Photo courtesy of Snapology Chicago

School Break Camps: Holiday and Spring Break Camps to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Ride high on Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America.

The Best Amusement Parks Near Chicago for Families

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

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 in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

GUIDE

Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Butterfield Park is one of several great outdoor spots in Elmhurst. Photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District

Elmhurst with Kids: The Best Things to Do in Elmhurst, Illinois

Visiting Starved Rock State Park With Kids: Things To Do, Places To Stay, and More

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

GUIDE

Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago

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

We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

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

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

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

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

Black-Owned Businesses to Discover in Chicago

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

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

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

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

Calling all Chicago Cubs fans! Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

Things To Do in Wrigleyville with Kids

The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids

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

Dad and son having fun at the auto show. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show

Presidents Day 2024: 19 Things To Do In Chicago With Kids

GUIDE

Winter Activities Guide for Chicago Kids

Delight in an outdoor rink across Chicago. The Skating Ribbon is a popular destination. Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park

33 Things To Do in Chicago This Winter with Kids

St Patricks Day parade in downtown Chicago. Photo by US Army Reserve photo by Sgt 1st Class Michel Sauret via Flickr.

St. Patricks' Day Weekend 2024 in Chicago: Parades, Festivals, Music, and More

Spring Egg-Stravaganza. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Easter Weekend 2024: 20+ Things To Do in Chicago With Kids

Hop to It! It's time for Easter Bunny pictures near Chicago at Woodfield Mall. Photo courtesy of the mall

Meet the Easter Bunny at Bunny Brunches and Easter Bunny Pictures in Chicago

Two girls at the art museum. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Spring Break 2024: 39 Fun Things To Do in Chicago

Breakfast with Santa in Chicago

Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane

11/12/23 - By Jessica Stautberg

Santa breakfasts in Chicago offer more than just pancakes —you usually get a Santa picture and a visit as well. We have a list of breakfasts with Santa in Chicago, as well as brunches and other activities at a variety of venues, like Drury Lane Theater, Pinstripes Brunch with Santa, and even a Galactic Santa Breakfast at Camp Big Timber Ridge.

Most of these activities will offer photo ops, but you can also snag a picture with Santa at one of these events. We have ensured that as of publication time, all of these events have seats available, and we've tried to list events with more than just a handful of spots left. But register fast! These won't be around forever.

And for more fantastic holiday ideas, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.