Build your own structures together at Chicago Architecture Center's Family Day. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer
Winter Fests, Museum Family Events, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Tiny Picassos can enjoy different activities every day at the Art Institute’s Family Room. Photo by Maureen Wilkey, for Mommy Poppins
25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Chicago: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
Frosty Fest is free this January in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Gurnee Park District
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Chicago in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Snow tubing is a favorite winter activity in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Canva
Chicago's Winter Bucketlist: 33 Things to Do this Winter in Chicago with Kids
Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Rack up those Scout Badges at these Chicago institutions. Photo courtesy of Canva.
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Try a hands-on museum for the whole family. Photo by Kyle Flubacker courtesy of the WNDR Museum
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You can easily spend all day at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Photo by the author
Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Tips and Tricks for Visiting with Kids
See what swims by at the Shedd Aquarium. Beluga photo courtesy of the Illinois Tourism Board.
The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids 2025
Photo courtesy of Enchanted Castle.
Best Kid-Friendly Arcades in Chicago
If your teens enjoy pottery, then MADE Chicago in Bucktown is the spot.
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Teen Saturdays at Chicago Architecture Center. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center.
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Places to celebrate your baby before the smash cake. Photo by Kelly Patino for Mommy Poppins
Best Places to Celebrate a First Birthday in Chicago
Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
Cooking Classes for Kids in Chicago: A Baker's Dozen of the Best Culinary Experiences in the City and Suburbs
Try one of these local businesses for a fun and unique birthday party. Photo courtesy of Ultimate Ninjas
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​Launch is a Chicago trampoline park with bowling and an arcade, too. Photo courtesy of Visit Lake County
Trampoline Parks in Chicago to Burn Energy Indoors
Calm Waters is a sensory-friendly event at Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Shedd Aquarium
Sensory-Friendly Events in Chicago for Kids

Summer Fun Guide Launched!

6/20/08 - By Anna Fader

SUMMER-FUN-2.gifJust in time for the Summer Solstice, our Summer Fun Guide is here! You won't find any other resource like this—with everything your family needs to have a great time in New York City this summer. The best pools, beaches, playgrounds, water theme parks, concerts, festivals, free programs, family travel tips and more. We've even got indoor activities to keep you cool on too hot or rainy days. There's over 30 articles, each one jam-packed with fun.

And be sure to check out our newly updated post on Story Times Around the City where you'll find 20 different story hour locations.

On Monday we'll be posting our famously popular free activity a day for the entire summer. Don't miss it! It's all you need to have a fun-filled summer without spending a dime. And we'll be adding more posts to our Summer Fun Guide so stay tuned for even more summer fun coming up.

Also check out our new events calendar. You can find all our picks for this weekend's and upcoming events there.

This weekend you won't want to miss:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Mermaid Parade in Coney Island

The Make Music Festival-850 free concerts throughout the streets and parks of NYC

Gowanus-Transformations Walking Tour— It's like the ultimate artist factory tour. Check out the behind the scenes workings of a pottery, a stained glass studio and D. Maldari & Sons (Don't know what that is, but I'm sure it will be interesting). This is not a kid-specific event, but I think most kids will be interested to see how their cereal bowls are made.

The Celebrate Storytelling Festival - A five hour long story time!

Check out our events listings for more.

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.

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