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Fun Free Activities for Kids in January 2024: Top Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Glide around the ice for free at Parkway Bank Park. Photo courtesy of Parkway Bank Entertainment District
Glide around the ice for free at Parkway Bank Park. Photo courtesy of Parkway Bank Entertainment District
12/29/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Do you and your bank account need to recover from the holiday season? If so, we've got you covered with 20 FREE things to do with kids this January across the Chicago area.

Enjoy some outdoor fun with a family campfire and scavenger hunt in River Forest or Polar Adventure Day in Big Marsh Park. Skate for speed at the Silver Skates Speed Skating Series or for fun at Parkway Bank Park. Visit the animals at Brookfield Zoo for free, or enjoy a story time at the always-free Lincoln Park Zoo. 

Check out our free museum days guide for fun activities for kids throughout the year. Or check out our lists of the best ice skating rinks and sledding hills, which are mostly free and always a great option on a cold winter day in Chicago.

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Enjoy a free, family-friendly puppet show at venues throughout Chicago in January. Photo courtesy of Art on Sedgwick
Enjoy a free, family-friendly puppet show at venues throughout Chicago in January. Photo courtesy of Art on Sedgwick

Free Events in January in Chicago

Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver at Garfield Park Conservatory

Daily through January 7, 2024—Garfield Park
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its annual holiday flower show. This year, the theme is Celebrating Silver, which honors the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance's 25th anniversary with beautiful silver foliage, lush poinsettias in pink and white hues, and more favorite winter flowers and plants.  READ MORE

Kwanzaa Celebration at Dan Ryan Woods

January 1, 2024—South Side
Families who celebrate Kwanzaa can enjoy seven days of music and nature-based activities following the seven principles of the holiday. Learn and practice Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujaama (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose),Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Unity)  over the week following Christmas. READ MORE

Gnome Hunt at Emily Oaks Nature Center

Daily through January 7, 2024—Skokie
Kids can search for 26 gnomes hiding along the trail at Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie. Parents can email pictures with the gnomes to Skokie Park District or post to the park district's Facebook page. READ MORE

Winter Exploration Day

Wednesday, January 3, 2024—South Side
Forest Preserves of Cook County teaches families about snowshoeing, nature hikes, art, campfires, and more. Celebrate winter in the forest preserves. READ MORE

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

Thursday, January 4, 2024—River Forest
The Trailside Museum of Natural History invites families to take a self-guided scavenger hunt and enjoy warm refreshments to celebrate winter. READ MORE

Gurnee Frosty Fest

Saturday, January 6, 2024—Gurnee
The Gurnee Park District transforms Viking Park into a winter wonderland with outdoor sleigh rides, games, crafts, and ice skating. Warm up with s'mores by the fire and cocoa in the dance hall. READ MORE

Little Miss Ann Concert at Eisenhower Library

Saturday, January 6, 2024—Harwood Heights
Join Chicago children's musician Little Miss Ann as she performs live at the Eisenhower Library. Little Miss Ann has made six family albums that span different genres, including folk, rock, punk, country, bluegrass, and more. Her songs about letting your light shine within yourself, with your friends and family, and in your community will inspire kids to jump, clap, sing, dance, and more. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series

Tuesday, January 9-Thursday, January 11, 2024 and Tuesday January 16-Thursday January 18, 2024—Various City Parks
Think you're the fastest skater in the city? Silver Skates competitions in parks throughout Chicago pit up to 20 skaters in each age category against one another to see who is the fastest. Qualifiers compete in the finals on Saturday, January 20, at McFetridge Sports Center. READ MORE

Lakeshore Learning's Fun with Science

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Beverly, Orland Park, and Palatine
Stretch your fun with a slime-making workshop at Chicago-area Lakeshore Learning stores. Kids can also make a volcano, grow ice crystals, create snow, and more. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Streeterville
The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) hosts a FREE family day the second Saturday of each month. The event includes free admission to the museum, as well as workshops, open-studio sessions, gallery tours, and performances designed and led by Chicago artists. READ MORE

Wood Dale Winter Bash

Sunday, January 14, 2024—Wood Dale
Join the Wood Dale Park District in a series of indoor and outdoor activities sure to lift families' spirits. Meet and greet Siberian huskies from Free Spirit Siberian Rescue and sip on hot cocoa. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

Monday, January 15, 2024—Old Town
Visit the Chicago History Museum to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with family. The event includes lectures and panel discussions, a youth poetry workshop, a musical performance, and a hands-on history experience. READ MORE

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 15, 2024—Cook County Forest Preserves
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at one of Cook County's Forest Preserves. Litter clean-up events take place at Dan Ryan Woods, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Eggers Grove, and Crabtree Nature Center. READ MORE

Destination Discovery Story Time at Lincoln Park Zoo

Tuesday, January 16, 2024—Lincoln Park
Join Librarian Meagan and her friends as they visit the snowy owl at Lincoln Park Zoo and read winter-themed stories. Learn seasonal rhymes and visit cold-weather animals at this special zoo story time. READ MORE

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour

Thursday, January 18- Sunday, January 21, 2024 and Wednesday, January 24- Sunday, January 28, 2024—Various Locations
The Chicago International Puppet Theater’s Festival Neighborhood Tour presents free family-friendly puppet shows outside a different Chicago theater venue each day. The 35-minute performances give families who might not usually get a chance to see puppetry enjoy the show. This year's presentation is "Tears by the River," performed by Krystal Puppeteers. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Championships

Saturday, January 20, 2024—North Center
Qualifiers from Silver Skates speed skating races throughout the city compete for bragging rights at McFetridge Park Sports Center. Enter a race to try to win, or come watch the action. READ MORE

Polar Adventure Day

Saturday, January 20, 2024—Big Marsh Park
Families can come to Big Marsh Park for a free outdoor adventure, including interactions with birds of prey, sipping on hot chocolate, storytelling, and doing winter-inspired crafts. READ MORE

Family Fun Fest

Sunday, January 21, 2024—Downtown
Stop in for an open-house celebration with play activities, music, art, and more for children and families. For kids of all ages and their caregivers. More information here. READ MORE

Ice Skating at Parkway Bank Park

Daily through January 28—Rosemont
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink Saturday, November 18. Admission to the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink is free. Guests are invited to bring their own skates or rent skates on-site for $8. The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink will be open through January 28, 2024 For more information, visit ParkwayBankPark.com. READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Free Days

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through February 29, 2024
Brookfield Zoo offers free admission for all guests on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in January and February. READ MORE

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