Spotlight Chicago
Chicago's affordable afterschool programs are located around the city. ​Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Chicago
Lower-cost educational programs to fill those awkward afterschool hours.
Photo courtesy of Enchanted Castle
The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids
Play gyms, ninja training, and more: Chicago's birthday party options are hard to top.
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Taskrabbit can take on meal prep, shopping, organizing, and more.
Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.
GUIDE
Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago
Have fun with great classes for kids in Chicago.
Starved Rock State Park
Visiting Starved Rock State Park With Kids: Things To Do, Places To Stay, and More
Get away from it all and hike with kids for a few days.
Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District
Heat Wave Hot List: Best Ways to Keep Cool in Chicago with Kids
Keep this list handy for the rest of the summer!
Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
25 Things To Do With Little Kids in Chicago Before They Turn 5
Consider this your early childhood bucket list for raising a wee Chicagoan.
This August is full of fun things to do in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Howard Street Chalk Fest
30 Best Things to Do in Chicago August 2023 with Kids
Soak up the last month before school starts.
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Search background-checked caregivers in our directory
The entering class of Hogwarts.
Harry Potter: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place in Chicago
Everything to expect from this fun popup experience.
Try one of these fun Chicago mini golf courses. Photo courtesy of Diversey Driving Range and Mini Golf
17 Mini Golf Courses Near Chicago for Kid-Friendly Putt-Putt
Check out our picks for mini golf courses for some outdoor (or indoor!) family fun near Chicago.
Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
Best Swim Schools and Swimming Lessons in Chicago for Kids
Help your kids practice their swimming skills all year round.
Pool Day Birthday Party. Photo by @anjanettew, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Chicago's Best Parks & Playgrounds for Kids Birthday Parties
Chicago's parks and playgrounds are perfect for low-key birthday parties.
GUIDE
Ultimate Chicago Kids Summer Vacation Guide
The very best things to do with kids this summer in and around Chicago.
The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up
This is our Windy City bucket list for kids. How many have you checked off?
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Free Public Swimming Pools in Chicago for Summer 2023
Splash into free summer fun at the best public pools for Chicago kids.
The Thompson Strawberry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. Photo by the author
  VIDEO
Best Sunflower Fields Near Chicago for Pick-Your-Own Flowers
Some of these u-pick farms are already open for sunflower picking.
State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids
These state parks are the perfect weekend activity for your family.
These swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties. Photo courtesy of the Whealan Pool Aquatic Center
Swimming Spots to Host a Pool Party for Your Chicago Kid
Just add water for a perfect summer birthday party.
Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Things to Do with Kids on Navy Pier in Chicago
The top hits for kids on Chicago's Navy Pier.
Take in a free summer concert in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Wiggleworms at Gallagher Way
Chicago's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer
Pull up a lawn chair and a picnic for a free summer concert.
White, sandy beaches line St. Joseph. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
St. Joseph with Kids: Best Things to Do in St. Joseph, MI
St. Joseph makes the perfect summer weekend getaway.
It's a block party on State Street with Sundays on State. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Loop Alliance
50 Free Things To Do in Chicago This Summer With Kids
Keep kids entertained with fun activities that are totally free all summer long.
There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago
Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City.
Water comin' at you from all sides! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Chicago
The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
39 Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago this Summer for Kids
Pull up a chair or blanket and take in a movie this summer.
Strawberries taste sweeter when you pick them yourself at one of these berry picking farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
Best Strawberry Picking in Chicago and Summer Strawberry Festivals
Pick-your-own berries taste even sweeter!
The Royal Grocer is a Bucktown neighborhood family-friendly restaurant (with tiki torches)!
Best Outdoor Dining in Chicago at Family-Friendly Restaurants
Dine outdoors at these family-favorite spots.
GUIDE
Chicago Theme Parks & Water Parks Guide
Find the best theme parks, water parks, and amusement parks for families near Chicago, IL.
St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families
Plan a short trip away while keeping the cost down.
Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Chicago
No need to break the bank this summer to keep kids happy and occupied.
Stay cool with an outdoor water park near Chicago.
Best Outdoor Water Parks in Chicago for Family Fun
Cool off on slides, tubes, and more at these nearby water parks.
Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago
Never carry a toddler two miles back to the car again.
GUIDE
Chicago Summer Camp Guide
Find a summer camp for every age and interest around Chicagoland!
Try one of these Chicago salons for baby's first haircut. Photo courtesy of My Kids Place
Best Places for Kids Haircuts in Chicago For Baby or Toddler’s First Cut
Gentle places for that first haircut...and fun places for every haircut after that.
Ride high on Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America.
The Best Amusement Parks Near Chicago for Families
For when you feel the need for speed. (Or funnel cakes.)
Teen Filmmaking Camp is a summer camp for teens in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Chicago Filmmakers
Best Summer Camps for Teens in Chicago
Summer camp fun doesn't have to stop after middle school.
Hit the spa with your kid for a spa party in Chicago. Photo by Lisa Gagne for Canva
Kid-Friendly Spas and Kid Spa Parties in Chicago
Treat your kid (and yourself!) at one of these Chicago spas and salons.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids
Best play spaces, bowling, obstacle courses, museums, and more NJ spots for when bad weather...
Art summer camps are popular in Chicago. Photo courtesy of ChiArts
Best Art Summer Camps for Chicago Kids
Little artists will love these art camps this summer.
​Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Old Town with Kids: What to Do Just North of Downtown Chicago with Kids
Here's everything you need to know to plan a day or more in Old Town.
Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg
Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Great for a special occasion, or just to keep the family entertained for a few hours.
Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids
Ninja and climbing gyms are a great way for older kids to get out those winter wiggles.
Play inside again at places like Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place
Best Indoor Playgrounds in Chicago
When the weather's at its worst, these indoor play spaces are a wish come true.
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families
Museums abound in the Chicago area. Here are the most entertaining ones for kids.
Have some fun in the water even in the winter at one of these indoor water parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Kalahari Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks Near Chicago
Enjoy the water all year long at one of these Chicago-area water parks.
The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
It's hard to see Chicago in just three days, but here are some can't-miss suggestions.
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
Fun and safe indoor spots for teens and tweens in Chicago.
Head to the free Artist's Studio on cold and rainy days. ​Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
21 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play
These 21 places keep kids (and parents) happy and warm in Chicago's frigid winters.
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Find the best FREE activities for kids in Chicago.
​Photo courtesy of Kido
Local Baby Stores in Chicago For Gifts, Gear, and More
Shop all things baby at these local stores.
There are many popular bar and bat mitzvah venues in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes
Top Bat and Bar Mitzvah Venues in Chicago
Planning a bar or bat mitzvah? Try one of these venues.
Family-friendly and voted one of the top 5 escape rooms in the USA! Photo courtesy of Escape Factor in Forest Park
Best Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Chicago
Escape rooms are a great activity for the entire family.
Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids
There are so many hotdogs for kids to try in Chicago!
Checking out the exhibits at Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do
Chicago's Museum Campus is the perfect place to visit more than one museum in a day, and the Adler...
Take pregnancy classes from a birth center or doula if you choose. Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Doulas
Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Chicago
Learn more about pregnancy and parenting with other parents-to-be in Chicago.
Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
Cooking Classes for Kids in Chicago: A Baker's Dozen of the Best Culinary Experiences in the City and Suburbs
Little chefs will love these cooking classes.
Bright Horizons operates more than 1,000 nurturing, enriching, and convenient early education centers across the globe.
How to Find the Right Chicago Daycare or Preschool for Your Kid
The experts at Bright Horizons share what to look for.
Birthday parties at these indoor skydiving venues include a flight class, two flights per guest, and party room time. Photo courtesy of iFly
Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Chicago: 18 Cool Party Places for Teens
Need a birthday party idea for your teen or tween? Check out this list.
Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do
Check out this Chicago gem all year round.
The Zoo is one of the best things to do with kids in Lincoln Park. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
Best Things to Do in Chicago's Lincoln Park Neighborhood with Kids
Explore Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood with these kid-friendly options.
Best Things to See and Do at the Shedd Aquarium with Kids
Headed to the Shedd? Here's what you can't miss.
Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.
10 Kid-Friendly Hotels in Chicago for a Family Vacation
We managed to pick 10 great kid-friendly hotels out of the hundreds in Chicago.
There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing
You can go fishing with kids without even leaving the city.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry
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.
Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook
Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop
Rediscover or explore the West Loop for the first time with these kid-friendly recommendations.
Dine with a view at any Chicago riverfront restaurant. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Best Restaurants on the River: Chicago River Dining for Families
Interested in dining on the Chicago riverfront with kids? Try on of these favorites.
Chicago's museums are some of the top attractions in the city. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
Top Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do With Kids
It may be called The Second City, but Chicago is second to none when it comes to urban vacation...
Semicolon is a Black-owned bookstore in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Semicolon
Black-Owned Businesses to Discover in Chicago
Check out a Black-owned business for Black History Month and all year long.
Kids will have a hard time deciding between all the delicious treats at Dinkel's, the 100 year old Bavarian bakery
Favorite Things To Do with Kids in Roscoe Village and North Center
Our favorite things to do with kids in two of Chicago's unique neighborhoods.
The iconic ConAgra mural in Chicago, created by artist Jeff Zimmermann, is visible from the 606 elevated Bloomingdale Trail. Photo courtesy of jazim.com
Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids in Bucktown and Wicker Park
Kid-friendly things to do and places to eat in Bucktown and Wicker Park.
Spectacular city views of the Chicago Skyline in River North. Photo courtesy of Wendella Boat Tours.
The Best Things to Do In Chicago's River North and Gold Coast Neighborhoods with Kids
Whether you’re in town for a day or a week, there are plenty of things to do in River North and...
The Field Museum is home to some of the country's most complete dinosaur skeletons.
The Land Before Time: How to Do Chicago's Field Museum with Kids
The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is one of the country's favorites. Read our tips and...
Calling all Chicago Cubs fans! Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
Things To Do in Wrigleyville with Kids
Check out our tips for what to eat, see, and do near Wrigley Field with kids.
Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.
The Ultimate List of Chicago Children's Birthday Party Entertainers and Rentals
Children's outdoor birthday parties and parties at home are even more special this year. But even...
See the elephants at the Milwaukee Zoo.
The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids
Get up close and personal with animals from around the world.
Take your little one for a splash in the Crown Fountain. Photo by Sandor Weisz
20 Things To Do with Chicago Babies Before They Turn One
Start your urban parenting journey with these fun outings.
Chalk Howard Street is one of the street festivals in Chicago this weekend. Chalk art by Anat Ronen, photo courtesy of Chalk Howard Street
Street Fests and More Fun Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids
School is back in session—make this weekend count!

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Donation Days for Illinois Residents at the Notabaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - various times

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Just about an hour from Chicago, kids can pick apples at Apple Holler from mid-August to November.
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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