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Best Things To Do with Kids in Chicago in February 2026, According to MP Editors

Ice-a-Palooza in Wheaton. Photo by Kasey Mueller
Ice-a-Palooza in Wheaton. Photo by Kasey Mueller
1/31/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Between Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, and Black History Month, there are tons of fun things to do with kids in Chicago this February 2026. Here's a list of the best.

Looking for things to do in February with kids? Let's be honest; every Chicagoan is relieved that it's a short month, but there are so many fun holidays and celebrations!

Start the month off with Groundhog Day—celebrate by seeing where the movie was filmed in far northwest suburban Woodstock. On the first Saturday of the month, Chicago families can celebrate National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni's stores in the city and suburbs. Celebrate Valentine's Day with the kids by dancing away the night at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Musum with Little Miss Ann. February is Black History Month, and families can learn more at the Chicago History Museum and celebrate Black communities at Homan Square Park.

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Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Best Things To Do in February in Chicago

Disney On Ice: Jump In at the Allstate Arena

Rosemont
January 29- February 1 and February 6-8
Experience Disney characters from Moana 2, Inside Out 2, Toy Story, Encanto, and Frozen as they join Mickey and Minnie on a magical new ice adventure! READ MORE

Ice Festival Downtown Downers Grove

Downers Grove – FREE
January 30- February 1
Bundle up and head to Downtown Downers Grove for the annual Ice Festival! Enjoy more than 60 stunning ice sculptures displayed throughout the downtown, sponsored by local businesses. Watch live carving demonstrations on Friday from 5:30-7:30pm at the corner of Main Street and Curtiss Street, and then on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-3pm at the Main Street Train Station. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum Chocolate Weekend

Lisle
January 31-February 1
The Morton Arboretum celebrates the cacao tree at this annual party centered around chocolate. Dozens of vendors will have chocolate available for sampling or purchase for Valentine's Day, or just for a treat. READ MORE

Ice-A-Palooza

Wheaton - Free
February 7
The Wheaton Park District invites families to break their winter blues and experience Ice-A-Palooza! The event includes a meet and greet with Chicago Wolves mascot, open skating, hockey, a preschool activity tent, and kids games. Play It Again Sports will be on site to sell or rent ice skates, while Center Ice DuPage puts on special performances. The event wraps up with a chuck-the-puck game. Concessions will be available for sale.   READ MORE

National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Multiple locations
February 7
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is scooping out a new breakfast flavored ice cream for National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. In-store parties in each of Jeni's locations will feature fun surprises, coloring sheets and exclusive menu items for the day. READ MORE

Chicago Auto Show

McCormick Place
February 7-16
McCormick Place hosts the annual Chicago Auto Show, featuring nearly 1,000 different vehicles on display, including domestic and imported cars and trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental or concept cars, antique and collector cars, and auto-related exhibits, including test tracks for Jeeps and Fords. READ MORE

Presidents Day at the Chicago History Museum

Old Town – FREE
February 16
Celebrate the four U.S. Presidents who have lived in Illinois at the Chicago History Museum on Presidents Day. Families can learn more about Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama with family friendly activities, including writing letters to the President and free museum admission. READ MORE

Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile

South Loop
Fridays through Sundays through February 21
The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle of Chicago in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees...Only the other jungle creatures can foil his secret plans and clever tricks, but they’re going to find a large amount of courage to stop this greedy brute. Snap up your tickets today for this wickedly funny musical adventure, perfect for the whole family! READ MORE

Farmhouse Tours: Curing a Cold in the 1890s

West Chicago
Thursdays - Mondays in February
Families can learn about how families in the 1890s took care of each other when they were sick at these tours at Klein Creek Farm. Learn about the kinds of foods that were prepared for ailing family members and the use of candy as medicine. Tours are at the top of the hour each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Destination Discovery Story Time at The Field Museum

Museum Campus-FREE
February 11
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
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Chicago History Museum.

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Chicago

Black History Story Time

Grand Crossing - FREE
February 21
Join "The Library Lady" for Black History Month story time for the whole family! We share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home activities to celebrate Black History Month. READ MORE

UMOJA Black History Month Celebration at Homan Square

North Lawndale - Free
February 21
Homan Square Park hosts its annual UMOJA Black History Celebration, featuring performances by children and adults in park programs, vendors of African American products and attire, and food vendors featuring soul food menus. READ MORE

Black History Month Family Event at the Chicago History Museum

Old Town
February 28
Join historians at the Chicago History Museum to learn more about Black figures who have had an impact on the national and local level. Learn about how Black History Week started in Chicago and celebrate the history and contributions of this vital third of the city’s population through activities. READ MORE

Black History Month: Underground Railroad Presentations

South Holland – FREE
February 21 and 28
Come visit Sand Ridge Nature Center to learn more about the Underground Railroad that existed in the Calumet Region during the mid-1800s. Families can explore two self-guided trails throughout the day.  READ MORE
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Photo courtesy of the Woodstock Illinois Facebook page
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Photo courtesy of the Woodstock Illinois Facebook page

Fun Events for Groundhog Day in Chicago

Groundhog Days in Woodstock

Woodstock - Free
January 29- February 2
The Chicago area's own Woodstock Willie will predict whether we will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter at Woodstock Square. Families can tour the grounds where the classic movie was filmed and participate in a Groundhog Day bags tourney. READ MORE

Groundhog Day at River Trail Nature Center

Northbrook– FREE
February 1
Learn the story behind this peculiar holiday at River Trail Nature Center. READ MORE

Groundhog Day Celebrating the Life of Harold Ramis

Navy Pier - FREE
February 2
Fans are invited to join in the celebration of Harold Ramis’ extraordinary life and career with an official Groundhog Day Celebration on Feb. 2 at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier. To commemorate Chicago’s officially declared Harold Ramis Day, cast members from the celebrated 1993 comedy Groundhog Day (co-written and directed by Ramis) will join in a special public event on Navy Pier. This year's event includes a crossover with Animal House and will feature photo opps with items from both movies, including live groundhog Chicago Harry and his tree stump. READ MORE
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Asia Society. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Asia Society. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society

Things To Do for Lunar New Year in Chicago with Kids

Evanston Lunar New Year Celebration

Evanston- FREE
February 15
Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities celebrating Lunar New Year along Dempster Street near Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Start off the Year of the Horse with a lion dance, arts and crafts, red envelope stuffing, learning to play mahjong, and Chinese food! READ MORE

DePaul Lunar New Year Celebration

Lincoln Park- FREE
February 20
Celebrate Lunar New Year with students from DePaul University's Chinese Studies programs and Chinese Students and Scholars Associations. The groups will welcome the year of the Dragon with cultural performances, interactive activities, and new year's foods. If you were born in a year of the Horse (2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, and 1954, etc), please show your ID and submit your name to our check-in staff upon check-in. Event organizers will randomly pick 10 guests and give you a Year of the Horse souvenir after the cultural performances. READ MORE

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration & Parade

Uptown – FREE
February 21
Kick off the Year of the Horse 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

Chinatown – FREE
March 1
The whole family can celebrate the Year of the Horse 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

Things To Do for Valentine's Day in Chicago with Kids

Kids Valentines Day Party at Park and Field

Logan Square
February 1
Celebrate Valentine's Day with crafts and a magic show at Park & Field. Full food and drink menus will accompany a magic show from Cosmic Underground and a Valentines card crafting station. READ MORE

Family Valentine's Dance at Gompers Park

North Park
February 6
At this annual event, families enjoy an evening of dancing at the park. The event features a DJ, crafts, and photo opportunities. Food and beverages are available for an extra cost. READ MORE

Victorian Valentines

Wheaton
February 7-8
Kids can make Victorian Valentines, which were treasured keepsakes in their time, using feathers, beads, and bits of fabric. READ MORE

Little Miss Ann Valentine's Day Concert

Lincoln Park
February 14
Bring your kids to the Valentine's Day Little Miss Ann Family Music Concert at the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum! Ann and fiddler, Anna Jacobson will play upbeat, interactive, joyful songs that your family will sing, jump and dance along to. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Central Athletic Complex- Ice Rink
Greater Grand Crossing Branch Library