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MLK Weekend 2024 Best Things To Do in Chicago: Snowflake Scavenger Hunt, MLK Events

Enjoy art projects and more at Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Photo courtesy of the museum
Enjoy art projects and more at Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Photo courtesy of the museum
1/10/24 - By MommyPoppins

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

Are you ready for another day off from school? Martin Luther King, Jr. Day means an extra day off just one week after winter break ends. Families can explore Lincoln Marsh in the Snowflake Scavenger Hunt, or enjoy a bonfire with s'mores and more at Winterfest in Itasca. Celebrate sweets with hot cocoa tasting events in Wheaton and River North.

Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by learning about his legacy at the Chicago History Museum or joining in Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Kids can also perform service projects in honor of Dr. King at a Cook County Forest Preserve or Naperville Public Library.

In typical Chicago fashion, the weekend is expected to start with snow followed by a bout of ultra-cold weather. So check out our sledding hills on Friday and Saturday, or see our list of indoor play spaces for Sunday and Monday.

 Here are our top picks for events to attend with your kids this weekend!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Create and play with life-size Legos at Brick Fest Live! Photo courtesy of the event
Create and play with life-size Legos at Brick Fest Live! Photo courtesy of the event

Things to Do in Chicago On MLK, Jr. Weekend

Lakeshore Learning's Cool Creations

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Beverly, Orland Park, and Palatine
Stretch your fun with a cool creations workshop at Chicago-area Lakeshore Learning stores. Kids can make fun crafts with Wikki Stix. The January 11 workshop focuses on crafty accessories and the January 25 workshop is about vehicles with a twist. At each event, they'll make cool and colorful Wikki Stix creations, play with top-rated learning products and even hear a story! READ MORE

Snowflake Scavenger Hunt

Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13, 2024—Wheaton
Search Lincoln Marsh for snowflake decorations. Families will learn lots of fun winter facts along the way. Programs starting after 5pm will use flashlights. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Gold Coast
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

Wood Dale Winter Bash

Sunday, January 14, 2024—Wood Dale
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

Hot Chocolate and Cookie Fest

Friday, January 12, 2024—River North
JoJo's shakeBAR, Alliance Bakery, Mochinut, and other Chicago dessert vendors team up to bring families unlimited hot cocoa and cookies to celebrate the warmth of the season. Participants will also get a goodie bag featuring coupons for restaurant delivery and more. READ MORE

Wheaton Cocoa and Coffee Crawl

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Wheaton
Stroll downtown Wheaton for a sidewalk sale and to taste a variety of hot cocoas. The 2024 event will feature eight cocoas and four coffees to sample at local businesses READ MORE

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Founders Day Celebration

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Lincoln Park
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 make your own nature journal to take home. READ MORE

Trolls Winter Skate Party

Sunday, January 14, 2024—Mundelein
Enjoy roller skating and dancing with Princess Poppy and Branch at this event at Just for Fun Roller Rink in Mundelein. Raffles, face painting, and games with prizes add to the fun. READ MORE

Magical Starlight Theatre Presents Beauty and the Beast

Friday, January 12- Sunday, January 14, 2024—Naperville
Naperville Park District's Magical Starlight Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast based on the new classic Disney movie. The story follows Belle as she rescues her father from The Beast's castle and shows him how to love. READ MORE

Brick Fest Live!

Friday, January 12- Saturday, January 13, 2024—Tinley Park
Enjoy an interactive experience with millions of LEGOs at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Kids can get inspiration from life-size figures built from bricks, dive into a giant brick pit, build in a black-light brick zone, contribute to a graffiti wall or floor mural, and test-race their LEGO vehicles on a test track. READ MORE

Kids & Company's Winter Wonderland Event

Saturday, January 13, 2024—West Loop
Celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Kids & Company Center with treats from the KidCo Kitchen, cookie decorating, fun games and crafts, and a magical visit with Olaf. Raffle prizes include a chance to win free child care and treats from local vendors. READ MORE

Winterfest at Springbrook Nature Center

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Itasca
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

Unveiling the Invisible Universe

Saturday, January 13, 2024—River Grove
Learn about the cosmos as scientists do through neutrinos, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves. This new presentation at the Cernan Earth and Space Center teaches audiences about detection by the LIGO experiment of gravitational waves from two merging black holes that has opened a new window in astrophysics. READ MORE

Jim Gill's Sing Along of Celebrated Songs

Saturday, January 13, 2024—Naperville
Join children's musician Jim Gill for his energetic concert of celebrated songs. He plays on the banjo and claps out rhythms while kids sing, dance, and spin. The show features a nonstop selection of sing-alongs, dance-alongs, finger plays, and tongue twisters. READ MORE

The Great Boutelli Kids Magic Show

Sunday, January 14, 2024—Lincoln Square
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Madame ZuZu's presents The Great Boutelli. Come see The Great Boutelli perform amazing magic, produce doves out of thin air, and delight everyone with fun tricks sure to astonish. READ MORE
Reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in events across Chicago this weekend. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Collection, Chicago History Museum
Reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in events across Chicago this weekend. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Collection, Chicago History Museum

Things to Do On Martin Luther King Day in Chicago

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

Old Town
Visit the Chicago History Museum to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with family. The event includes lectures and panel discussions, a youth poetry workshop, a musical performance, and a hands-on history experience. READ MORE

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service

Forest Preserves of Cook County
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at one of Cook County's Forest Preserves. Litter clean-up events take place at Dan Ryan Woods, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Eggers Grove, River Trails Nature Center, Schiller Woods, Caldwell Woods, and Crabtree Nature Center. READ MORE

Black Creativity Family Day

Museum Campus
Families can explore the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry, and make a craft in collaboration with black artists. Families can also explore the Black Creativity: Architecture exhibit. READ MORE

MLK Day Teen Service Project

Naperville
Teens can make a Valentine's Day card to brighten the day of the library's home delivery patrons at this MLK Service Day event. Please sign up for a BetterImpact account to volunteer. READ MORE

Nanny Nikki at Elk Grove Village Public Library

Elk Grove Village
Grammy-nominated children's performer Nanny Nikki puts on a concert for kids at Elk Grove Village Public Library on Martin Luther King Day. Kids can sing, dance, and jump along. READ MORE
Explore Lincoln Marsh during the Snowflake Scavenger Hunt. Photo courtesy of Discover Dupage
Explore Lincoln Marsh during the Snowflake Scavenger Hunt. Photo courtesy of Discover Dupage

More Seasonal Activities for Chicago Kids

25 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

These great destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm! READ MORE

The Best Places to Snowboard or Ski Near Chicago with Kids

Discover the best spots where Chicago families can ski and shred. READ MORE

Best Sledding Hills In and Near Chicago

When the snow falls, it's time to hit the hills. READ MORE

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing this winter season. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks for Chicago Kids and Families

Places featured in this article:

Just for Fun Roller Rink Mundelein
Naperville Central High School
Springbrook Nature Center
Cernan Earth & Space Center
Bittersweet Ski and Snowboard Resort