Things To Do this Weekend in Chicago with Kids: Family Shows, Free Zoo Days

Get ready for another hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch and their friends come to life on-stage in Trolls LIVE! Photo courtesy of the production
Get ready for another hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch and their friends come to life on-stage in Trolls LIVE! Photo courtesy of the production
1/8/20 - By MommyPoppins

This weekend, Chicago parents can take a well-deserved break from entertaining the littles, with kid-friendly shows and theater all over town. Disney classics take to the stage with Beauty and the Beast at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, and Mary Poppins at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace (plus a proper afternoon tea inspired by Ms. Poppins). Wild-haired sprites show off their best dance moves at Trolls! Live at the Chicago Theater, while Harry Potter fans can relive all seven books in just over an hour at Potted Potter. And story-loving preschoolers will be cheered by the new musical Bunny's Book Club at the Lifeline Theater.

On Saturday, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts Girls Build!, a special STEM-focused event just for girls ages 11-17. And on Sunday, join revelers at the Swedish American Museum for Julgransplundring, or "dancing the tree out," the Swedish tradition of rocking around the Christmas tree one last time before the decorations come down. 

There's also plenty of FREE outdoor and indoor fun to be had: The Brookfield Zoo is free all weekend, and the Kid Lit Fest of Highland Park features a full roster of FREE readings.

It's the last weekend to slip down the ice slides at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest, but there's plenty more indoor winter fun to be had in Chicagoland. Our event calendar is updated with fresh picks daily. Enjoy the weekend!

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Places featured in this article: