• MSI Movies in the Park: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

    Griffin Museum of Science and Industry 5700 S Dusable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

    The Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks returns this summer to present free outdoor screenings on our front lawn. There’s no better way to spend a fun summer night than watching a favorite movie outdoors. You'll enjoy the evening, framed by our historic building and beautiful Lake Michigan. Pack your picnic or lawn games, and come...

    Free
  • Morning Glories

    Morning Glories

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Morning Glories is a free, drop-in program designed for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers! The lessons will follow themes of science and nature with modifications to focus on motor skill development, sensory exploration, and social interactions between families. A typical Morning Glories session can be expected to include story times, a sensory bin, lots...

    Free
  • Back to School Bonanza

    DuPage Children's Museum 301 N Washington St, Naperville, IL, United States

    Celebrate the start of the school year with hands-on activities that highlight everyone’s favorite subjects from A-Z. Explore your creative side with professional artists and musicians, flex your mind and muscles at recess, and step up onto a school bus! DCM is here to make sure everyone’s back-to-school season is a delight. Special Activities  Art | Express...

    Included in Museum Entry
  • World Lion Day

    Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for educational chats, animal enrichment, and special activities!

    Free
  • Budding Botanists

    Budding Botanists

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • Budding Botanists

    Budding Botanists

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • Mini Fest

    Altitude Trampoline Park 404 N Armour St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Mini Fest features: Free Activities Mini Art Workshops Artists & Small Shops Live Music Food Trucks Mini Fest is a non-profit event bringing art education to the youth at a fraction of the cost. Connecting like-minded people from around Chicago, we are working to build a reachable network of entrepreneurs, creatives, and entertainers. Mini Fest's...

    Free
  • Vintage Car Show

    The Lot 525 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, United States

    Peruse a fabulous array of vintage vehicles, right on St. Johns Avenue while enjoying a live radio broadcast with famed DJ Eddie “V,” and snacking on delicious food and beverages.

    Free
  • Water Flicks: Oppenheimer (Rated R)

    Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Navy Pier's popular "Water Flicks" is returning this year with FREE outdoor movie showings. Bring a picnic, a blanket, and enjoy! Movies are shown at Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park, just before the pier. All films are presented in English with closed captioning.  

  • Free Admission for Illinois Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art

    Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Illinois Residents receive FREE admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Usual Rates: Adults: $22 Students, teachers, and anyone 65+: $14 Note: Anyone under 18 is always FREE   The following Discounts always apply as well: $3 tickets for up to six individuals when visitors present their LINK (EBT) Card as part of the Museums...

    Free
  • Free Resident Day at the Field Museum

    Free Resident Day at the Field Museum

    Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, United States

    "Free Admission Days are the perfect opportunity for Illinois residents to explore our general admission exhibitions with your family or a group of science-loving friends. Or, use these days to check out special ticketed exhibitions or a 3D movie with a discounted Discovery or All-Access Pass. Tickets for Free Days are only available to Illinois...

    Free
  • Play! at Farm-in-the-Zoo

    Play! at Farm-in-the-Zoo

    Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Kids can explore the sights, smells, and textures of nature. Listen to stories, participate in arts and crafts, play in the sensory bin, and make music. Designed for children ages 1–5, Caregivers must stay with their children.

    Free
  • Casting on the Pier

    Casting on the Pier

    Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

    The team of skilled and friendly volunteers will be outside on the pier to teach both spin and fly casting every Wednesday this summer and fall through August 28. Participation is on a first come, first serve basis and the volunteers always do their best to accommodate everyone depending on demand.

    Included in Museum Entry
  • Wild Wednesdays

    Wild Wednesdays

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Wild Wednesdays are back for the season at Garfield Park Conservatory! Join Family Programs staff outdoors in Play and Grow Garden for free, drop-in activities, such as fort building, bug hunts, chalk drawing, and more! Find us every Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:30 pm. Just head outside through our Desert House doors and follow the giant...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • FREE Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents

    FREE Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents

    Adler Planetarium 1300 S Dusable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Adler Planetarium is open late on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm–10:00 pm (last admission 9:00 pm). Every Wednesday is free Museum Entry for Illinois residents with proof of residency! To show proof of residency, you can use a valid Illinois driver’s license or photo ID, Illinois student ID with photo, or a photo ID plus a...

    Free
  • Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at Gallagher Way

    Gallagher Way 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    On select Wednesday nights, visit Gallagher Way for a free outdoor movie and enjoy the fresh air as you take in family-friendly classics, nostalgic comedies and more. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and watch the film for free on a first-come, first-served basis, or purchase...

    Free
  • Morning Glories

    Morning Glories

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Morning Glories is a free, drop-in program designed for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers! The lessons will follow themes of science and nature with modifications to focus on motor skill development, sensory exploration, and social interactions between families. A typical Morning Glories session can be expected to include story times, a sensory bin, lots...

    Free
  • Budding Botanists

    Budding Botanists

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • Noche Caribeña

    Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Puerto Rican Arts Alliance is honored to present to you some of the most prominent artists from Puerto Rico and Chicago at Noche Caribeña at the Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park. This concert promises an eclectic mix of musical genres, ranging from Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean folk to popular Latin American hits, big band...