Don't miss the Snow Days at Polar Palooza. Photo courtesy of Children's Museum Houston.
Elf in Concert, Polar Palooza, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens
Houston's Unusual and Underrated Christmas and Holiday Activities
Head to the Houston Zoo for a fun outing this Christmas break. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Houston's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families
The Black Bear Diner in Houston offers Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Houston
Tomfoolery is packed with toys. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
The Best Toy Stores in Houston: Gifts for Kids of All Ages
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
21 Best Things To Do in Houston with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Disney Junior Play Zone at Katy Mills Mall. Photo courtesy of Simon Malls/Simon Property Group.
29 Free Things To Do Indoors in Houston: Indoor Places To Play On Cold and Rainy Days
Santa's Wonderland is a whole holiday lights extravaganza. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland, A Texas Christmas Experience at College Station
Houston’s Brightest: Top Christmas Light Shows and Drive-Thrus for 2025
Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston
Bass Pro Shops Present Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
27 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Houston for Kids
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Places for Santa Photos in Houston This Holiday Season 2025
College Station is perhaps the closest Christmas town to Houston. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland at College Station, Facebook
Top 10 Christmas Towns in Texas to Light Up Your Holiday Season
Christmas trains near Houston 2025. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston in 2025
With activities for all, Texas Ren Fest is the largest Renaissance-themed attraction in the county.
Texas Renaissance Festival: A Magical Fall Tradition for Houston Families
Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
Things To Do in Houston That Everyone Will Love - From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Houston
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Where to Find the Coolest Arcades for Kids in Houston
The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
Best Mommy and Me Classes for Houston Babies and Parents 2025
Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Houston
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages
Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Neighborhood Guide: Things To Do in West University and Rice Village with Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
Best Texas Road Trips for Families
Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
Themed Restaurants in Houston for a Fun Night Out With Kids
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
Fun Trampoline Parks Near Houston for Kids to Jump in the AC
Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
Quinceañeras in Houston: The Best Dress Shops and Venues for Your Teen Birthday
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
Austin with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas
New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Galveston For Your Family Trip
The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Galveston, TX
One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
The Best Petting Zoos Near Houston
Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids
Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
Tips and Secrets to the Houston Zoo with Kids
MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids

Puppets Shows, Winter Solstice, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Santa's ready for all the hugs around the dinner tables at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Santa's ready for all the hugs around the dinner tables at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Photo courtesy of the zoo
12/17/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

The countdown to winter break and Christmas is on! Check out the variety of holiday events going on this weekend. Puppets have taken center stage with winter and holiday themed shows, including Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol, Beatrix Potter's Holiday Party, and Jabberwocky Marionettes' Winter Show. It's also the shortest day of the year, so you can enjoy the dark at winter solstice events in Romeoville or River Forest.

Looking for something unique to do this holiday season? Check out our list of unusual and underrated Christmas activities. And kick off your winter break by checking a few ideas off of our winter bucket list.

 And want to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank? Don’t forget to look for the deals link at the top of the calendar to filter for special offers and the free filter to see only free activities!

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Navy Pier puts on a festive dazzling light display and a booming firework show . Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Navy Pier puts on a festive dazzling light display and a booming firework show . Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Kohlights

Glenview
Friday, December 19- Sunday, December 21
Kids can walk through a unique light display with a learning glow stick that controls and changes the lights, providing a different experience every time. Visit the pixel play meadow, rainbow arbor, color play tree, rainbow caterpillar, color walk, and rainbow art installation. READ MORE

Solstice Celebration at Isle a la Cache Museum

Romeoville
Friday, December 19
Chase away the dark and cold with a blazing bonfire celebration at Isle a la Cache! Cozy up around the flames with hot cider while listening to the ancients’ stories of the loss and rebirth of the sun. Discover how they partied, feasted and honored their way through the season. Lean how science explains the solstice today, which is no less extraordinary than the tales of old. Stick around to chat, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the brisk winter nighttime sky or an optional short hike around the island. READ MORE

Ballet Chicago The Nutcracker at the Harris Theater

Downtown
Friday, December 19- Sunday, December 21
Share the magic of the holidays at Ballet Chicago's annual production of The Nutcracker.  The show follows Marie as she travels to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets. It features George Balanchine's Sugar Plum Fairy Pas De Deux.  READ MORE

Celebrate Chanukah with Skokie Chabad at Old Orchard

Skokie
Through Sunday, December 21
Join Skokie Chabad on December 14th - December 21st for a special event series with at Old Orchard. Enjoy Chanukah treats including hot cocoa, and cookies or donuts, crafts along with Dreidel Man mascot dances to Chanukah music. READ MORE

Dinner with Santa at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
Friday, December 19- Sunday, December 21
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos and brunch at The Discovery Center, plus kids can visit the zoo’s real live reindeer before the meal. Decorate ornaments and gingerbread houses at stations in the Discovery Center. The event a buffet of freshly carved meats, seasonal accompaniments, children’s buffet for the young classic eaters. READ MORE

Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol

Downtown
Friday, December 19- Sunday, December 21
Starring hundreds of paper puppets, figurines, and silhouettes, this adaptation of A Christmas Carol is about a holiday skeptic who has been recruited to perform a Christmas Carol puppet show on a Zoom call with her family in lockdown. This year's show has moved to the Studebaker Theater. READ MORE

Oak Park's Home for the Holidays

Oak Park- FREE
Saturday, December 20
Downtown Oak Park invites residents and visitors to experience an old-fashioned holiday. Families can enjoy free horse-drawn sleigh rides, photo-ops with Santa on his way to the North Pole, music in the streets, and free hot cocoa in unique flavors from local businesses. READ MORE

Jabberwocky Marionettes: Winter Puppet Show

Irving Park
Saturday, December 20
A collection of Wintry Puppet Shorts. Snowflakes, dance, sledding, skating and building a snowman with puppets! Snowy owls sing and a little fox explores an a icy pond. Come out and join Color Club for this celebration of all things winter. Brrr! READ MORE

Christmas in Chicago Film Screening & Talkback

Pilsen
Saturday, December 20
Visit CineCity Studios for a special screening of Christmas in Chicago!  Enjoy the film on the big screen and stay afterward for an exclusive talkback offering a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process. In a feel-good, rom-com style, “Christmas in Chicago” turns the city vs. small town trope on its head. Set in the fictional Chicago neighborhood of Garrett Park (Lincoln Square) and filmed solely in Chicago, featuring several Chicago actors, businesses and notable landmarks, the film follows Felicity Jones, a marketing professional living downtown, who has a brilliant idea... READ MORE

Winter Solstice Day

River Forest
Saturday, December 20
Presented with American Indian Center, learn about the Winter Solstice through indigenous storytelling & songs. Snowshoeing (condition permitting), tracking, shelter building and other winter-related activities will be offered. READ MORE

NewCity Chanukah Winter Wonderland

Old Town- FREE
Sunday, December 21
NewCity and Lincoln Park Chabad will lead a menorah lighting ceremony in the plaza. Enjoy a dazzling evening of Chanukah light and joy. READ MORE

Winter Fireworks at Navy Pier

Downtown
Saturday, December 20
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party

West Loop
Sunday, December 21 (Saturday show sold out)
Four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life in this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show, complete with original music. Storytellers weave Potter’s classic narration with gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, head to the lobby to play with the puppets, take pictures with the cast, and join fellow Chicago families for a communal holiday party featuring a festive spread of holiday treats! Our stories this year will include  a brand new tale, “The Tale of Pickles and Ginger,” with “The Tale of Tom... READ MORE

Free Holiday Movies at the Glen Art Theatre

Glen Ellyn - Free
Saturday, December 20
Families can enjoy classic holiday movies courtesy of the Glen Art Theatre and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas. Seats are limited, so families should arrive early. READ MORE
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet

More Fun Things To Do in Chicago Right Now

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Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago

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Places featured in this article: