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Presidents Day 2023: 19 Things To Do In Chicago With Kids

Come & celebrate 'UMOJA', the Swahili word for 'unity,' at Homan Square Park. Photo courtesy of the park
Come & celebrate 'UMOJA', the Swahili word for 'unity,' at Homan Square Park. Photo courtesy of the park
2/15/23 - By MommyPoppins

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

Chicago families have plenty of fun options for the long February weekend. Get your vroom on at the final weekend of the Chicago Auto Show, with special kid-friendly programs throughout the weekend. Keep celebrating Black History Month at UMOJA Black History Month Celebration in Homan Square Park or at Chicago Black Restaurant Week. Presidents also get their own celebrations this week in Old Town, Elmhurst, and Winnetka

Museums in Chicago have free days throughout February, so check out our list of where to get in free this month. Visit one of our favorite indoor playspaces, or get outside for a winter hike in one of our favorite parks and forest preserves. Or explore some of our favorite black-owned businesses for Black History Month.

Here's the best of the activities for kids in Chicago this Presidents Day weekend!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Chicago Black Restaurant Week; Brunch at Phlavz on Maxwell Street. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Chicago Black Restaurant Week; Brunch at Phlavz on Maxwell Street. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Things to Do Presidents Day Weekend in Chicago

Chicago Auto Show

Daily through Monday, February 20, 2023—South Side
McCormick Place hosts the annual Chicago Auto Show, featuring nearly 1,000 different vehicles on display, including domestic and imported cars and trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental or concept cars, antique and collector cars, and auto-related exhibits. READ MORE

Park District of Highland Park Family Art Night

Friday, February 17, 2023—Highland Park
Families can let their imaginations run wild at this art event with many forms and techniques. No one is too young or too old to make a unique work of art. All children must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

Super Hero & Princess Party

Friday, February 17, 2023—Buffalo Grove
Meet and take pictures with your favorite superheroes and princesses at the Community Arts Center in Buffalo Grove. The event includes games, prizes, entertainment, and more family fun. Please register all children in advance; adults are free. READ MORE

York Center Daddy Daughter Dance

Friday, February 17, 2023—Lombard
Dads can take their daughters out for an enchanted forest-themed evening of dancing and treats. Girls will be pampered like a fairy in the salon and make fantastical crafts. Appetizers and desserts will be served. READ MORE

Fire and Ice Stock the Pantry Event

Friday, February 17, 2023—Villa Park
Help the Outreach House stock its pantry and see a free fire-spinning show at Villa Park's Christ Covenant Church. Bring a non-perishable food item or toiletry for free admission. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Cooler by the Lake

February 15, 2023- May 14, 2023—Lincoln Park
From the end of February to Mother's Day, North Side families can enjoy a flower show highlighting the lakefront The Lincoln Park Conservatory will feature cooler color tones and structures representing the lighthouse and boats within the conservatory. READ MORE

Winter Family Fun with Little Miss Ann Concert

Saturday, February 18, 2023—Berwyn
Join Chicago children's musician Little Miss Ann as she performs live at Fitzgerald's Patio. Little Miss Ann has made 6 family music albums that span different genres such as folk, rock, punk, country, bluegrass and more. Her aptly titled "Welcome Spring" EP came out in April 2022 on 8 Pound Gorilla Records. READ MORE

Tour of the Historic Former Wabash YMCA

Saturday, February 18, 2023—Bronzeville
Visit the Birthplace of Black History Month at the Historic Wabash YMCA. The community center was the epicenter of cultural and economic progress for African Americans in Chicago for more than 50 years. A guided tour of the building provides a glimpse into its history with the addition of newly compiled vintage photographs. READ MORE

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical

Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, 2023—Lincoln Park
Adapted from the Mo Willems book of the same title, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is the story of an irrepressible pigeon who lets everyone know that he never gets to have any fun. But when the bus driver is running late, the pigeon's dream might get to come true.  READ MORE

Meet the Lincolns

Saturday, February 18, 2023—Winnetka
Celebrate Presidents Day by learning more about Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln at the Wilmette Historical Museum. Hear about Abe's experience growing up in a log cabin and why he wore top hat, and also why Mary's dress stands out like that. Activities, puzzles, and crafts will round out the afternoon. READ MORE

Chicago Black Restaurant Week

Daily through February 26, 2023—Various locations throughout Chicago
Celebrate Black owned restaurants throughout the Chicago area with special deals and events for the last two weeks in February. More than two dozen restaurants serve up their specialties for special prices ending in 23 to celebrate Jordan year. READ MORE

Elmhurst History Museum School's Out Day Camp

Monday, February 20, 2023—Elmhurst
Kids can spend their Presidents Day off from school touring the Elmhurst History Museum, creating crafts, playing games, and learning about the history of the day. Participants should bring a lunch and snack. READ MORE

Winter Fest at Big Marsh Park

Saturday, February 18, 2023—South Side
Families can celebrate winter at Big Marsh Park by going on a hike to try to see winter birds, then enjoying music, s'mores and hot chocolate around the campfire. An animal meet and greet and winter crafts will round out the fun. READ MORE

UMOJA Black History Month Celebration at Homan Square

Saturday, February 18, 2023—Homan Square
Homan Square Park hosts its annual UMOJA Black History Celebration, featuring performances by children and adults in park programs, vendors of African American products and attire, and food vendors featuring soul food menus. READ MORE

Tea With Your Doll at LaGrange Historical Society

Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, 2023—LaGrange
Pull on your poodle skirt for the '50s themed edition of the LaGrange Historical Society's annual Tea With Your Doll event. Sample mid-century snacks, learn to jitterbug, and talk about what life was like in the LaGrange area in the 1950s. Each girl will be given a goodie bag and can enter a raffle to go home with doll-themed prizes. READ MORE

Hiplet Ballerinas

Sunday, February 19, 2023—River Forest
Pronounced hip-lay (rhymes with ballet), this unique dance troop infuses classical pointe with African, Latin, hip-hop, and urban dance styles rooted in communities of color. Families can see their style, sass, hip movements and struts and they dance to everything from Tchaickovsky to Beyonce at Dominican University. READ MORE

Presidents Day at the Chicago History Museum

Monday, February 20, 2023—Old Town
Celebrate the four U.S. Presidents who have lived in Illinois at the Chicago History Museum on Presidents Day. Families can learn more about Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama with family friendly activities and free museum admission. READ MORE

Free Days at the Field Museum

Monday, February 20, 2023—Museum Campus
Illinois residents enjoy free general admission to Chicago's world-class Field Museum on Tuesdays a d Wednesdays throughout winter, as well as on holidays like Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Presidents Day. READ MORE

Mary Macaroni at Winnetka Community House

Monday, February 20, 2023—Winnetka
Kindie artist Mary Macaroni plays guitar, sings, and performs magic tricks for kids at Winnetka Community House. Sing, dance and shake along! READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show

Other Seasonal Activities for Chicago Kids

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

How to see Chicago's best museums and other attractions on a budget with kids. READ MORE

Black-Owned Businesses to Discover in Chicago

Check out a Black-owned business for Black History Month and all year long. READ MORE

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These 21 places keep kids (and parents) happy and warm in Chicago's frigid winters. READ MORE

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For a short month, February has a lot of holidays! Here's how to celebrate 'em all. READ MORE

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Museums abound in the Chicago area. Here are the most entertaining ones for kids. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Greenhouse Theater Center
LaGrange Area Historical Society