Start 2026 with furry performers at Mutts Gone Nuts, a showcase of the most talented, hysterical four-legged performers! Photo courtesy Mutts Gone Nuts
New Year's Eve Weekend in Atlanta with Kids: Count Down to 2026!
Drive about four hours to Gaitlinburg's Ober Mountain for its 350-foot snow tubing track with a 50-foot drop! Photo courtesy of Ober Mountain
Best Snow Tubing Near Atlanta for Families in 2025
Kids and parents can party into 2026 at the daytime New Year's Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum
Atlanta New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More
The High Museum of Art offers free admission on the second Sunday of the month.
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids Guide
Kids of all ages will love exploring the wonders of space at Tellus Science Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Things To Do in Atlanta That Everyone Will Love--From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Newnan's own Georgia Chocolate Factory welcomes hungry visitors with all things sugary! Photo by author
A Guide to Newnan With Kids: 22 Things to Do in Newnan, GA
Middle schoolers can be so much fun to hang out with! Photo by the author
10 Tips For Making Middle School Amazing: Middle School Kids are the Best
Experience the wonder of the Blue Ridge Mountains by horseback riding along the Appalachian trails. Photo by Bill Leffler
Guide to Blue Ridge, Georgia: Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains with Kids
Georgia families know there is only one true beverage: Coca-Cola! Photo by Elsa Simcik
11 Things Only Georgia Families Know
Celebrate a first birthday with the animals at Zoo Atlanta. Photo by Jack Parada Photography
Where to Have a First Birthday Party in Atlanta
Bubble Vision Atlanta brings bubbly fun to your child's birthday party! Photo courtesy Bubble Vision
18 Atlanta Birthday Party Entertainers Who Bring the Party to You
The Splatter Studio lets kids create art AND get messy at every visit. Photo courtesy of The Splatter Studio
Guide to Making Art (and a Mess) in Atlanta
Playgrounds, like the one at Abernathy Greenway Park, are great free things to do in Atlanta with kids. Photo by Melanie Preis
90 Free Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids
There's so much awesome public art in Duluth, GA!
37 Best Things to Do and Hotels in Duluth, GA for Kids and Families
Head indoor for some fre fun at the mall of Georgia.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Atlanta Kids
Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!
Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens
All Rowan piercings are performed by licensed nurses, using hypoallergenic jewelry. Photo courtesy Rowan
Best Places to Get Ear Piercings for Kids in Atlanta
See Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and other Sesame Street characters at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by the author
Best Museums for Kids in Atlanta: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in Atlanta
Head to the Fox Theatre to see Elf the Musical this weekend! Photo by Evan Zimmerman, courtesy of The Fox
Elf the Musical, Holiday Celebrations, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Chicago in January 2026, According to MP Editors

Frosty Fest is free this January in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Gurnee Park District
Frosty Fest is free this January in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Gurnee Park District
12/28/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Do you and your bank account need to recover from the holiday season? If so, we've got you covered with 20 FREE things to do with kids this January across the Chicago area.

Enjoy some outdoor fun with a family campfire and scavenger hunt in River Forest or Polar Adventure Day on Northerly Island. Skate for speed at the Silver Skates Speed Skating Series or for fun at Warren Park. Visit the animals at Brookfield Zoo for free, or enjoy Destination Discovery Story Time at the free-on-Wednesdays Field Museum. 

Check out our free museum days guide for fun activities for kids throughout the year. Or check out our lists of the best ice skating rinks and sledding hills, which are mostly free and always a great option on a cold winter day in Chicago.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Garfield Park Conservatory's Winter Park Flower Show is free. Photo courtesy of the Conservatory.
Garfield Park Conservatory's Winter Park Flower Show is free. Photo courtesy of the Conservatory.

Free Events this January 2026 in Chicago

Malcolm X: Kwanzaa 2025

Near West Side
Thursday, January 1
Visit Malcolm X College to experience Kwanzaa. Celebrate seven days of culture, community, and creativity from December 26, 2025 – January 1, 2026. Daily events include a vendor's market, children's story time, and a drum call at noon. Experience powerful performances by Ayodele Drum & Dance and Najwa Dance Corps, plus much more! READ MORE

Hygge Hangout

Willow Springs
Sunday, January 4
Join a cozy, indoor community filled with activities, games and refreshments. Inspired by the Danish practice of Hygge. READ MORE

Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright at Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park
Daily through January 4
This year’s Winter Flower Show “Merry & Bright” evokes the festivity of the season. While the outdoor landscape is gray (and maybe white!), the indoor Show House reveals a cheerful selection of poinsettias including ‘Viking Cinnamon’, ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Chorus Hot Pink’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’.  READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Free Days

Brookfield
Daily, except for January 19
Brookfield Zoo offers free admission for all guests on all days in January and February, except for January 19 and February 16. Parking fees and attraction fees still apply. READ MORE

Gurnee Frosty Fest

Gurnee
Saturday, January 4
The Gurnee Park District transforms Viking Park into a winter wonderland with outdoor sleigh rides, games, crafts, and ice skating. Warm up with s'mores by the fire and cocoa in the dance hall. READ MORE

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

River Forest
Sunday, January 4
The Trailside Museum of Natural History invites families to take a self-guided scavenger hunt for signs of animal and plant life and enjoy warm refreshments to celebrate winter. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series

Various City Parks
January 6-8 and 14-15
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 15, at McFetridge Sports Center. READ MORE

Destination Discovery Story Time at The Field Museum

Museum Campus
Wednesday, January 14
Join Librarian friends as they visit the Field Museum on Free Illinois Wednesdays! The guest reader from Chicago Public Library will lead a fun-filled interactive PlayDate with stories, songs and more. PlayLab PlayDates are free to museum guests, don’t require pre-registration, and take place on IL Resident Free Days! READ MORE

Lakeshore Learning's Cool Creations

Orland Park and Palatine
Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, January 24
Stretch your fun with a cool creations workshop at Chicago-area Lakeshore Learning stores. Kids can make fun crafts and read stories. The January 10 workshop focuses on the story The Day the Crayons Came Home and making a crayon carrier and the January 24 workshop is about Pete The Cat: Rockin' in My School Shoes and making a Reading Rocks bookmark.. At each event, they'll make cool and colorful creations, play with top-rated learning products and even hear a story! READ MORE

Winter Wonder Fest at Warren Park

Rogers Park
Sunday, January 11
Bundle up and bring the whole family for a magical day of winter fun at our Winter Wonder Fest! Enjoy skating alongside festive characters, munch on complimentary snacks, and play a round of ice bocce in the snowy game zone. With music, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer, it’s the perfect way to make warm memories this winter season. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Streeterville
Saturday, January 10
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

Wood Dale
Saturday, January 11
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

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour

Various Locations
Thursday, January 22- Sunday, February 1
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 "Stone by Stone," performed by Tian Gombau and "Happy Birthday, Mon Ami" performed by Alex Olmsted. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Park District Lunar New Year Celebration

Buffalo Grove
Saturday, January 24
Celebrate Lunar New Year early at Buffalo Grove's Community Arts Center with lantern designing, kite decorating, and lunar masks. Asian cuisine, beer wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service

Cook County Forest Preserves
Saturday, January 17- Monday, January 19
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 Crabtree Nature Center, Caldwell Woods, Eggers Grove, Evans Field, Trailside Museum of Natural History, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Dan Ryan Woods, and Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Championships

North Center
Saturday, January 17
Qualifiers from Silver Skates speed skating races throughout the city compete for bragging rights at McFetridge Park Sports Center. Enter a race to try to win, or come watch the action. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

Old Town
Monday, January 19
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

Lincoln Park Preschool Fair

Lincoln Park
Saturday, January 24
Choosing the right preschool is a big step, and we’re here to make it easier for you. Join us on Saturday, January 24, at the Lincoln Park Branch Library, for a free, one-stop event to meet and learn about some of the best preschools in the neighborhood — all in one convenient place! Register here! READ MORE

Polar Adventure Day at Northerly Island

Northerly Island
Saturday, January 24
Families can come to Northerly for a free outdoor adventure, including husky sled dog demonstrations, live demonstrations, arts & crafts, nature play and warm up with hot cocoa by the bonfire. READ MORE

Family Fun Fest

Downtown
Sunday, January 25
Stop in for an open-house celebration with winter play activities, music, art and more. For kids of all ages and their caregivers.  READ MORE
Visit Brookfield Zoo for free most days in January and February. Photo by Maureen Wilkey.
Visit Brookfield Zoo for free most days in January and February. Photo by Maureen Wilkey.

More Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

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

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

The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Chicago

Quirky museums, tucked-away parks, and more off-the-radar family fun. READ MORE

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

How to see Chicago's best museums and other attractions on a budget with kids. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: