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Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
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The lion cubs; Pesho, Lomelok and Sidai! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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Starved Rock State Park
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Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill
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Climb and play all day no matter the weather, at Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place
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Weekend Fun for Chicago Kids: Sled Dogs, Kids' Shows, Free Performances

See sled dogs in action at the Morton Arboretum's Husky Heroes event this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
See sled dogs in action at the Morton Arboretum's Husky Heroes event this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
1/23/19 - By Siobhan Adcock

This weekend's family fun in Chicago is worth braving the snow and chill for. Cold-conquering canines show how it's done with dogsled demos at Husky Heroes at Morton Arboretum (you can also shout Go, Dog, Go! at the show inspired by the classic kids' book). Meanwhile, heroes from the big screen—and the toy box—take the spotlight in Disney on Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.

Two interactive shows just for kids open this weekend, too: The Chicago Kids Company's production of Sleeping Beauty encourages audience participation with sing-along songs, while the x-tra cool X-Marks the Spot from the Chicago Children's Theater is an exercise in EST: “Extra Sensory Theatre.”

FREE performances this weekend include a Beethoven concert for kids from a Grammy-nominated quartet, a multimedia musical inspired by a Celtic folktale, and puppet theater at Navy Pier. Looking for more FREE fun? There's always a trip to the beach in January.

For more ideas, keep an eye on our constantly-updating Event Calendar, and bookmark our growing list of FREE Winter Fun with Chicago Kids.

The Stranger and the Shadow, part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Stranger and the Shadow, part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

All Weekend

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival: Logan Center Family Puppet Cabaret

Noble Square
Local puppeteers perform a diverse set of shows for families overlooking the Chicago skyline at the Logan Center Penthouse. READ MORE

Husky Heroes

Lisle
Dog-lovers can learn more about huskies by watching sled-pulling and skijoring (dogs pulling people on skis) demonstrations at the Morton Arboretum. Families can visit the sled teams and have their picture taken on the rigs. Information about husky adoption will be available. READ MORE

Go, Dog. Go!

Printer's Row
The Theatre School at DePaul University hosts Go, Dog. Go! based on the book by P.D. Eastman. Themes include being different, belonging, happiness, and inclusion. READ MORE

Sleeping Beauty

Morgan Park
The Chicago Kids Company presents Sleeping Beauty at the Beverly Arts Center. READ MORE

X-Marks The Spot

Near West Side
The Chicago Children's Theatre presents an extra-sensory interactive play with sounds and voices, and touchable and scented props. Low lighting and the optional use of blindfolds encourages audience members to not rely on their sense of sight, but instead to tune-in to their other four senses to experience EST, “Extra Sensory Theatre.”  READ MORE

Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars

Rosemont
Chart a story through the night sky where every story is about a wish in this new Disney on Ice show. Characters from Frozen II, Encanto, and Aladdin star in the show at the Rosemont Arena. READ MORE

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

Hoffman Estates
Your favorite Hot Wheels trucks are brought to life with jumps, stunts, crashing, and smashing. Each show will feature specialty acts like motocross, world record events, and robots. READ MORE

A Year With Frog and Toad

Des Plaines
This Broadway hit, based on the well-loved books, follows two great friends-- cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad-- on all of their adventures through four seasons. READ MORE
Dia de la Concha features some of Chicago's best Mexican pastries. Photo courtesy of the event
Dia de la Concha features some of Chicago's best Mexican pastries. Photo courtesy of the event

Saturday, January 26

Dia De La Concha

Bridgeport
The Zhou B Art Center hosts Dia de la Concha, featuring some of Chicago's best Mexican pastries, as well as live music, local vendors, and specialty Mexican drinks.  READ MORE

Family Concert with Spektral Quartet

Edgewater — FREE
The Spektral Quartet, twice-Grammy nominated musicians, present an interactive classical music concert of Beethoven for kids and parents. READ MORE

Mearra-- Selkie From the Sea

Glenview — FREE
This musical, multi-media presentation tells the ancient celtic story of the Selkie, a mythical seal with the ability to turn into a human. READ MORE

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour

Navy Pier — FREE
The Chicago International Puppet Theater’s Festival Neighborhood Tour presents free family-friendly puppet shows outside a different Chicago theater venue each day. The 35-minute performances give families who might not usually get a chance to see puppetry enjoy the show. This year's presentation is "Tears by the River," performed by Krystal Puppeteers. READ MORE

Grand Opening Celebration at The Learning Experience West Loop

Near West Side — FREE
The Learning Experience West Loop hosts a free grand opening celebration, where guests can create winter themed crafts, enjoy snacks, and play in indoor playgrounds. READ MORE

Sunday, January 27

Three Little Birds: A Kids' Reggae Party

Hyde Park — FREE for kids
The Promontory hosts Three Little Birds and a reggae concert and dance party for the whole family! READ MORE

Family Night Out for Families with Special Needs

Naperville — FREE
Children with physical disabilities or sensory processing issues or children who are on the autism spectrum can enjoy a more calm night at DuPage Children's Museum on this special evening. Some lighting and sound in the exhibits will be muted, and additional calm down areas will be provided. READ MORE

Family Snow Ball 2019

Navy Pier
The Chicago Children's Museum hosts a fundraiser, the Family Snow Ball, with dancing, dinner, and activities for the whole family! READ MORE

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