Chicago With Kids

Pajama Party
2024-09-20 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N Washington St, Naperville, IL, 60540, United States
Put on your favorite PJs and join us for an evening of comfort and creativity. Explore the Museum’s exhibits and a variety of pop-up activities. Then wind down with bedtime stories. Have your stuffed “friend” or blanket tag along for the fun!
Special Activities: from 5:00 – 7:30 pm unless noted otherwise.

Fort Building – Use your imagination and construct something cozy using building sets, blankets, pillows and more.
Stuffed Animal Clinic – Give your stuffed “friend” a check up in the Stuffed Animal Clinic – brush their teeth, comb their hair and help them stretch into some relaxing yoga poses to prepare for bedtime.
And More!

Budding Botanists
2024-09-21 10:30 - 14:30, 2024-09-22 10:30 - 14:30, 2024-09-28 10:30 - 14:30 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, 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 be posted in different areas of the Conservatory on different days. Ask where we are at the front desk! The location will be posted in the lobby each day.
These stations are interactive and are all about scientific exploration, to help your family see plants in new and creative ways. Adults and young ones of all ages can stop by and let the learning begin.
This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory, book your reservation ahead of time here: here (link opens in a new tab)

World Rhino Day
2024-09-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for educational chats, animal enrichment, and special activities!

FREE Illinois Resident Day at the Museum of Science and Industry
2024-09-23 09:30 - 17:30, 2024-09-24 09:30 - 17:30, 2024-09-25 09:30 - 17:30, 2024-09-30 09:30 - 17:30, 2024-10-01 09:30 - 17:30, 2024-10-02 09:30 - 17:30 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Dusable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60637
The Museum of Industry will be FREE for Illinois Residents today. You can reserve your tickets online, and the discount is applied at checkout.

Wiggleworms/Movie at Gallagher Way
2024-09-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Chicago’s famous Wiggleworms from the Old Town School of Folk Music are back with free performances at Gallagher Way. There will be music, movement, bubbles, and plenty of fun for kids and parents! Each week will feature different performers and a different kids’ movie will play after the performance.
Performers: Little Miss Ann & Renée Nanzer
Movie: Onward

World Gorilla Day
2024-09-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States

Free Admission for Illinois Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art
2024-09-24 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-10-01 17:00 - 21:00 | Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, 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 for All program.
Free Admission
Admission is free every day for:

Illinois elementary and high school teachers. Simply present a valid teacher ID at the admissions desk. If you’re planning on visiting with your class, please visit our School programs page for more information.
Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers.
Active members of the military, police, and fire departments and veterans as well as their families (with ID).
Anyone 18 and under.
MCA Members.

Free Resident Day at the Field Museum
2024-09-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-02 09:00 - 17:00 | Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605, 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 residents on-site and cannot be reserved in advance. Please ask a Visitor Services staff member for the special offer and show your Illinois proof of residency. You cannot take advantage of Free Days when buying tickets online.” -From the Field Museum Website

Wild Wednesdays
2024-09-25 16:00 - 19:30 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, 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 bubbles!
This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory, book your reservation ahead of time here: here (link opens in a new tab)

FREE Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents
2024-09-25 16:00 - 22:00 | Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Dusable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, 60605, 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 document (utility bill, lease, etc.) that shows your name and Illinois address.
All tickets must be bought online, in advance of your visit. All sales are final. Book your tickets for Adler at Night if you’re an Illinois resident or non-Illinois resident.

Morning Glories
2024-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, 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 of blankets for crawlers and tummy-timers, and a friendly atmosphere!
This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory, book your reservation ahead of time here: here (link opens in a new tab)

Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
2024-09-27 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-28 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Head to this FREE festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo! Attractions include the Fun Slide, a pumpkin-filled Harvest Maze, inflatable attractions, free musical entertainment, story times, professional pumpkin carvers, a pumpkin patch, and fall-themed enrichment for the animals.

Oktoberfest in Highland Park
2024-09-27 12:00 - 2024-09-29 22:00 | The Lot, 525 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035, United States
Start the day with traditional Oktoberfest fun: music, food, beverages, and family-focused activities. At 5 PM, we switch up the vibe with a headline band.

Oktoberfest Chicago
2024-09-27 12:00 - 2024-09-29 22:00 | St. Alphonsus Church, 1429 W Wellington Ave, Chicago, 60532, United States
Chicago’s beloved Oktoberfest celebration returns! There aren’t any specific kids activities listed, but they are welcome to enjoy great live music and German food. Sunday is free!

Celebration de los Arboles
2024-09-28 - 2024-09-29 | Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL, 60532, United States
Experience the diverse cultures of Latin America through music, dance, and food in The Morton Arboretum.
Price included in Arboretum admission.

Hyde Park Jazz Festival
2024-09-28 08:00 - 2024-09-29 17:00 | Hyde Park, S. Woodlawn Ave. & Midway Plaisance, Chicago, IL, United States
Presented on 14 stages across Hyde Park, this remarkable two-day free festival showcases collaboration between academic, cultural and community institutions, and local businesses to present over 30 bands in a variety of settings throughout the Hyde Park neighborhood. Over 20,000 jazz fans and enthusiasts will gather at the event to enjoy more than 18 hours of free, nonstop jazz performances.
-From the Hyde Park Jazz Festival website
$10 suggested donation

Randolph Street Market Festival
2024-09-28 10:00 - 2024-09-30 17:00 | Randolph Street, 1341 W Randolph St, Chicago, United States
This European-style flea market festival has art, jewelry, global goods, and tons of fun food.
Kids 12 and under are free, and it’s right next to Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, and so many other fun things for kids to do.
Park safely in clean multi-level parking garage with 24-hr manned security office. Enter at 1371 W Randolph, $4 an hour!

Brookfield Zoo Oktoberfest
2024-09-28 11:00 - 17:00 | Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL, 60513, United States
Prost! to Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo, presented by Leinenkugel’s. This German-style event, which takes place on the Zoo’s East Mall, is free with general admission.
Zoogoers can toss on their lederhosen and experience:
– Live polka music from Happy Wanderers and Die Musikmeisters Band between 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
– Oktoberfest seasonal menu items including bratwurst, specialty beers, pretzels with cheese, and much more available for purchase.
– Festive themed giveaways from Leinenkugel’s.

Family Fall Fest
2024-09-29 13:00 - 17:00 | Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Pl, Rosemont, Illinois, 60018
Enjoy free activities including bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon sculptors, pumpkin painting and and musical performances from Jeanie B & The Jelly Beans!

Parking for “Family Fall Fest” is available at the Parkway Bank Park parking garage and is free with validation from any of the park’s venues. For more information, visit ParkwayBankPark.com.
