25 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Get out of the house this winter and head to one of these 25 free indoor play spaces, including museums, malls, libraries, and more.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Get out of the house this winter and head to one of these 25 free indoor play spaces, including museums, malls, libraries, and more.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Know where to find the best packzi in Chicago? We do!
Some cities celebrate Mardi Gras, but here in Chicago, we celebrate Paczki Day! If you're new in town, Chicago is rich in Polish heritage, and in Poland, this day is celebrated with donut-like pastries filled with delectable jams, custards, or creams. More traditional fillings include prunes or poppy seeds, but some Chicago bakeries have upped their baking game by filling their paczki with more off-the-wall items like Oreos, S'mores, and even Dorito dust.
Whether for breakfast or a treat, your family can find a favorite paczki spot from our list of bakeries!
Be sure to check out our Chicago kid-friendly restaurant guide or our ultimate list of Chicago restaurants where kids eat for free if you need other places to grab a bite!
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
We scoured the city to bring you a list of the best sledding hills in and around Chicago. From daring drops to gentle glides, here are our all-ages picks.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Want to have fun in Chicago with the kids without busting your wallet? Here are 100 great, family-friendly things to do that are FREE.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Looking for New Year's Eve celebrations in Chicago minus the late night? Most kids, and even some adults, can't make it until midnight for a typical New Year's Eve celebration. That's why plenty of Chicago area kids' venues have put together events to celebrate Noon Year's on the last midday of the year.
Celebrate with bubbles at the always-popular DuPage Children's Museum, enjoy roller skating in Mundelein or on the South Side, or bowl or play bocce to end 2023 at Pinstripes locations in Streeterville, Oak Brook, South Barrington, or Northbrook. Or play whirlyball in Naperville or Lincoln Park or see a performance of the Blue Man Group in Lakeview.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Ready for some classic pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? You can get pictures with Santa in Chicago at Wrigley Field or catch a movie with him in Woodridge. If you prefer the traditional mall Santa pictures, you can find him at Water Tower Place, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, and so many more spots (see below for our favorites!). City dwellers seem to love getting their pictures with Santa taken at Macy's, while suburbanites flock to Bass Pro Shop for their Santa photos experience.
While you're making your holiday schedule, don't forget to check out the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago or Nutcracker performances throughout the city and suburbs. Check out our Must-Do Christmas Events in Chicago, and lots of other seasonal ideas in our Guide to Holidays and Christmas Activities.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend 2023? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving Day weekend.
Gobble up some activities along with your turkey this Thanksgiving weekend! There are plenty of things to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season. Check out the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade along State Street or sing along with carolers in Millennium Park. Get outside to move around after turkey dinner at a Turkey Trot in Grant Park or Beverly. The first performances of A Chistmas Carol are scheduled for this weekend at The Goodman Theater downtown, while The Nutcracker is playing in Hinsdale.
The weather is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so take a trip out to one of our favorite Christmas tree farms to get yours. Or plan a skating trip to one of our favorite outdoor rinks. Plan out one of your December weekends to include a showing of The Nutcracker or a ride on the CTA Holiday Train.
Let's all give thanks for our wonderful kiddos as we enter this holiday season together!