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Winter Fests, Museum Family Events, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Build your own structures together at Chicago Architecture Center's Family Day. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Build your own structures together at Chicago Architecture Center's Family Day. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
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 kids are finally back to school and the holiday lights are away for the season. But that doesn't mean the fun is over! Enjoy the first weekend of the new semester with outdoor winter festivals in Itasca, Skokie, Wood Dale, and Rogers Park. Or take part in family fun activities at local museums and cultural institutions, like Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago Architecture Center, or the Museum of Contemporary Art. 

January is FREE month at Mommy Poppins, so we've got an update list of free things to do indoors in Chicago with your kids. If your teens are bored, too, here's a list of indoor places they can hang out.

 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

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Get up close learning about and exploring fascinating creatures and nature at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's Founders Day. Photo courtesy of the museum
Get up close learning about and exploring fascinating creatures and nature at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's Founders Day. Photo courtesy of the museum

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Founders Day Celebration

Lincoln Park
Saturday, January 10
Celebrate 167 years of nature and science with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. See rare and historic specimens up close, learn how to volunteer for nature causes in the community, and meet some of the museum's scientists and collections team members. Explore the museum like never before with an interactive scavenger hunt! READ MORE

Chicago Architecture Center Family Days

Downtown - Free
Saturday, January 10
Visit the Chicago Architecture Center for a fun, activity-filled day inspired by CAC’s current exhibition, The Disappointed Tourist. “Is there some place that you would like to visit or revisit that no longer exists?” This is the question posed by The Disappointed Tourist, an ongoing project by artist Ellen Harvey. Children and families of all ages are invited to respond through a range of activities. Create your own drawing to add to the growing collection of ‘forever buildings.’ Build a LEGO model of a building you remember, or imagine another world. Explore the Center... READ MORE

Gurnee Frosty Fest

Gurnee - Free
Saturday, January 10
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

Winterfest at Springbrook Nature Center

Itasca - Free
Saturday, January 10
Celebrate winter outdoors in Chicago with snow painting, a scavenger hunt, winter crafts, face painting, carnival games, and snowshoeing at Springbrook Nature Center. The event includes a bonfire with s'mores and hot cocoa. Families can enjoy animal demonstrations, including dog sledding, birds of prey, and more. READ MORE

Lakeshore Learning's Cool Creations

Orland Park and Palatine - Free
Saturday, January 10
Stretch your fun with a cool creations workshop at Chicago-area Lakeshore Learning stores. Kids can make fun crafts and read stories. The January 10 workshop focuses on the story The Day the Crayons Came Home and making a crayon carrier and the January 24 workshop is about Pete The Cat: Rockin' in My School Shoes and making a Reading Rocks bookmark.. At each event, they'll make cool and colorful creations, play with top-rated learning products and even hear a story! READ MORE

RAIN: For Babies and Their Carers

Portage Park
Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11
RAIN is a mesmerizing and intimate sensory experience for babies and their families in which they are invited to slow down, notice, and wonder. Audiences are invited to participate in an experience that responds to the generosity of rain. Carers and their littlest ones are immersed in an intimate and mindful installation space full of surprise, delight and opportunities for connection through sound, touch and performance. A trio of performers on cello, voice, and movement act as gentle guides in a brand-new world of surprise, delight, and opportunities for connection through sound, touch... READ MORE

Winter Wonder-Fun!

Skokie
Saturday, December 20
Play and discover the fun in our winter wonderland! Depending on outdoor conditions, activities may include snow painting, ice sliding, snow treasure hunting, rainbow chip searches, and animal tracking. Activities change each time we meet. We’ll end our winter play days with a cup of hot cocoa. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Streeterville - Free
Saturday, January 10
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

Vernon Hills Winterfest

Vernon Hills - Free
Saturday, January 10
Enjoy winter activities for all ages in Century Park Arboretum. Watch the sled dog team take action, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, and toast s’mores over the fire. If it’s snowy, bring your sled and take a ride down the hill. New in 2026 – an iceless skating rink! Special skates are provided. READ MORE

Wheaton Cocoa and Coffee Crawl

Wheaton
Saturday, January 10
Stroll downtown Wheaton for a sidewalk sale and to taste a variety of hot cocoas. The 2026 event will feature 17 cocoas and coffees to sample at local businesses READ MORE

Wood Dale Winter Bash

Wood Dale- FREE
Saturday, January 10
Join the Wood Dale Park District in a series of indoor and outdoor activities sure to lift families' spirits. This free event will include crafts, games and activities, snacks, and entertainment. READ MORE

Douglass Park Creative Space Grand Opening

Douglass Park - Free
Saturday, January 10
Meet the talented art partners and staff at the new Douglass Park Creative Space and explore the new beautiful space. Enjoy hands- on experiences at art stations where you can create and discover. Refreshments provided. No registration required in advance. READ MORE

South of Chi Family Improv

Park Forest
Sunday, January 11
Come join in on family friendly afternoon of improv provided by South of Chi improvisational group. Through improvised games that work on teamwork, confidence, public speaking, and creative thinking you’ll laugh away the winter blues! READ MORE

Winter Wonder Fest at Warren Park

Rogers Park- Free
Sunday, January 11
Bundle up and bring the whole family for a magical day of winter fun at our Winter Wonder Fest! Enjoy skating alongside festive characters, munch on complimentary snacks, and play a round of ice bocce in the snowy game zone. With music, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer, it’s the perfect way to make warm memories this winter season. READ MORE

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Family Story Time Yoga

Lincoln Park
Sunday, January 11
Join Buddha Belly Kids Yoga for a family-friendly yoga class at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The class, designed for 2- to 8-year-old kids and their grownups, focuses on moving, breathing, and connecting. The yoga will follow the narrative of the story. READ MORE
There are lots of inexpensive and fun indoor play opportunities around the city. Photo courtesy of the Skokie Exploratorium
There are lots of inexpensive and fun indoor play opportunities around the city. Photo courtesy of the Skokie Exploratorium

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