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

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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

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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.

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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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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School

Best Swim Schools and Swimming Lessons in Chicago for Kids

The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.

100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up

State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources

State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids

Checking out CAMP's new immersive experience in Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey for Mommy Poppins

Doodles X CAMP: Chicago's Exciting New Immersive Experience for Kids

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Love Bug Dance photo courtesy of the Dupage Childrens Museum

Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, and More Things To Do in Chicago February 2024

Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago

Try one of these Chicago salons for baby's first haircut. Photo courtesy of My Kids Place

Best Places for Kids Haircuts in Chicago For Baby or Toddler’s First Cut

Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

Hit the spa with your kid for a spa party in Chicago. Photo by Lisa Gagne for Canva

Kid-Friendly Spas and Kid Spa Parties in Chicago

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Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Old Town with Kids: What to Do Just North of Downtown Chicago with Kids

Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg

Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining

Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders

Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids

Climb and play all day no matter the weather, at Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place

Best Indoor Playgrounds in Chicago for Kids

Have some fun in the water even in the winter at one of these indoor water parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Kalahari Resort

Best Indoor Water Parks Near Chicago

The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck

3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

25 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

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

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Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

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

Top Bat and Bar Mitzvah Venues in Chicago

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

Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids

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

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

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

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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

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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

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

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

5/13/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Drive-in movies made a comeback during the pandemic, and some of them are here to stay! While you still have to drive quite a ways to get to some of the traditional drive-ins, the new ChiTown Movies in Pilsen lets you take in a movie from the near south side with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline. And Davis Theater is partnering with Lincoln Yards to continue to offer movies on its lawn. Movies range from family classics to '80s throwbacks to recent blockbusters, so there's something for everyone!

But outdoor movies can't start until night falls, and you'll need some daytime activities, too. There are plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy this summer in Chicago, from zoos to outdoor dining to visits to a local farm. Be sure to check out our event calendar to find something new and exciting to do every single day.