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Best of January: 18 Top Things To Do In Chicago With Kids

Photo courtesy of the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival
Photo courtesy of the Chicago International Puppet Theatre Festival
12/30/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

2022 brought the coldest Chistmas in recent memory, but that means kids can look forward to a variety of frozen winter things to do in Chicago in January 2023 as days get longer. Start off with one of the handful of light shows still hanging around after the holidays, like Illumination at the Morton Arboretum (it's been extended to January 7), or Winter Lights at Central Park in Oak Brook. Move on to some cold weather nature activities, including Polar Adventure Days on Northerly Island or Snow Trekking in the nature sancturary at Burnham Park. Puppets are also taking over Chicago at the Chopin Theater's Icicle Picnic and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. 

The end of winter break and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day provide long weekend opportunities for families to take one of our favorite winter day trips from Chicago. We also have lists for the best places to skate, snow tube, and sled. Check out our Winter Fun Guide for even more ideas of what to do if it gets cold or snowy,

Here are our best ideas for things to do in January in Chicago with kids.

 

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Snowtrekking in the Nature Sanctuary at Burnham Park . Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Snowtrekking in the Nature Sanctuary at Burnham Park . Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Things To Do in Chicago in January with Kids

Brookfield Zoo Free Days

Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through February 2023—Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo offers free admission for all guests on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in January and February. READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

January 1-2, 2023—Schaumburg
Children can enjoy special holiday activities including taking pictures in a life-size sleigh built entirely of LEGOs, exploring holiday scenes in LEGO MINILAND, and finding all the LEGO presents throughout the center to win a prize. Tag all photos from the event with #Bricktacular. READ MORE

Winter Lights at Central Park

Daily through January 8, 2023—Oak Brook
As the sun sets and darkness descends, Central Park transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the 1/2 mile walk through the beautifully lit Central Park, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Discover dancing trees, colorful rainbow arches, cascading snowflakes, dazzling twirling icicles, vibrantly colored butterflies, and musical hearts throughout this scenic walk. This walk is FREE to the community and accessible to all. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Daily through January 7, 2023—Lisle
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. New this year—Illumination features four colorful animal sculptures from The Morton Arboretum’s newest exhibition Vivid Creatures, by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz. See these colorful sculptures lit up for the holidays and transformed for the Illumination experience. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from... READ MORE

DuPage Hard Water Classic

January 7, 2023—Warrenville
The Chicago area's largest ice-fishing tournament offers prizes for the top three largest bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike caught at Blackwell Forest Preserve on January 12. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series

January 10- January 19, 2023—Various Parks Citywide
Think you're the fastest skater in the city? Silver Skates competitions in parks throughout Chicago pit up to 20 skaters in each age category against one another to see who is the fastest. Qualifiers compete in the finals on Saturday, January 20, at McFetridge Sports Center. READ MORE

Icicle Picnic: Journey to the Sun

January 11-15, 2023—Wicker Park
Cabinet of Curiosity is proud to present the family-friendly production, Journey for the Sun, which features live music, beat boxing, giant puppets, ridiculous devices, and transforming sets to tell the story of two brothers who embark on a mythological journey to save the earth from an exploding sun. READ MORE

Snowtrekking in the Nature Sanctuary at Burnham Park

January 13, 20 ,and 27, 2023—Burnham Park
The Chicago Parks District hosts snow-trekking at Burnham Park, where participants can learn more about winter birds and wildlife on the prairie. READ MORE

Naperville Plays

January 14, 2022—Naperville
Fun hands-on activities from the DuPage Children's Museum, Naper Settlement, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, and Naperville Public Library will provide plenty of STEAM fun for DuPage area kids. Visitors can quadruple their fun with these unique partner activities. READ MORE

Wheaton Cocoa and Coffee Crawl

January 14, 2023—Wheaton
Stroll downtown Wheaton for a sidewalk sale and to taste a variety of hot cocoas. The 2025 event will feature 14 cocoas and coffees to sample at local businesses READ MORE

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service

January 16, 2023—Forest Preserves throughout 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

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

January 16, 2023—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

Nanny Nikki at Elk Grove Village Public Library

January 16, 2023—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

Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars

January 20-23—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

Polar Adventure Day

January 22—Northerly Island
Families can come to Big Marsh Park for a free outdoor adventure, including interactions with birds of prey, sipping on hot chocolate, storytelling, and doing winter-inspired crafts. READ MORE

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour

January 20-23—Citywide
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 presentations include "The Amazing Story Machine," performed by by Sandglass Theater Co. and Doppelskope and "Hungry Garden" performed by Poncili Creación. READ MORE

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration & Parade

January 28, 2023—Uptown
Kick off the Year of the Snake with this decades-old Uptown tradition kicking off near the Argyle "L" stop, complete with music, lion dances, floats, entertainment from local groups, activity "pop-ups" and more. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Parade

January 29, 2023—Chinatown
The whole family can celebrate the Year of the Snake with a Lunar New Year parade through Chinatown! The parade will feature traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, colorful floats, marching bands, and marching groups. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District
Photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District

Other Winter Activities for Chicago Kids

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 Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks for Chicago Kids and Families

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

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

Snow Day Activities: 55 Fun Things To Do on a Snow Day Indoors

Keep kids happily entertained on a snow day before sledding begins. READ MORE

30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving

These easy indoor exercise ideas get everyone moving, laughing, and tired out. READ MORE

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