Chicago's affordable afterschool programs are located around the city. ​Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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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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Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.
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Starved Rock State Park
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Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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This August is full of fun things to do in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Howard Street Chalk Fest
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The entering class of Hogwarts.
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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
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Pool Day Birthday Party. Photo by @anjanettew, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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The Thompson Strawberry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. Photo by the author
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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These swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties. Photo courtesy of the Whealan Pool Aquatic Center
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Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
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It's a block party on State Street with Sundays on State. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Loop Alliance
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There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Water comin' at you from all sides! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
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Strawberries taste sweeter when you pick them yourself at one of these berry picking farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
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The Royal Grocer is a Bucktown neighborhood family-friendly restaurant (with tiki torches)!
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St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
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Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
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​Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: St. Patrick's Day, Maple Sugar, Kids' Theater

The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo by Panu Tangchalermkul via Flickr
The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo by Panu Tangchalermkul via Flickr
3/10/20 - By MommyPoppins

The biggest, greenest party of the year hits Chicago this weekend, with family-friendly St. Patrick's Day celebrations all over town. The biggest and greenest, of course, is the annual dyeing of the Chicago River on Saturday (catch the best views from a kid-friendly river cruise), set dressing for the great downtown St. Patrick's Day parade. But with kids it might be just as fun to hit one of the many neighborhood celebrations—the South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday is family-friendly, as are the Northwest Side celebration, the Naperville parade, the big party at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville, and the St. Patrick's Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center.

It's another great weekend for children's entertainment. This is your last chance to see The Princess and the Pea at the Marriot Theatre, and on Sunday kids can rock out to the Music of Queen. Enjoy free movies and activites at the One Earth Film Festival and embrace your inner goth at a $3 screening of The Addams Family. Make this weekend extra sweet by hitting up the Sugar Bush Festival or the 48th Annual Maple Syrup Festival to see how maple syrup is made.

For more ideas for family fun in Chicago, our jam-packed event calendar is at the ready. Note that events may be cancelled due to the coronavirus, and we will continuously update our event calendar to reflect any change or cancellation.

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A special one-hour presentation of The Princess and the Pea for kids (and parents) of all ages is on stage at the Marriott Theater. Photo courtesy of the theater
A special one-hour presentation of The Princess and the Pea for kids (and parents) of all ages is on stage at the Marriott Theater. Photo courtesy of the theater

Things to Do All Weekend

Maple Sugaring at Kline Creek Farm

West Chicago — FREE
Kids can learn where the syrup on their pancakes comes from at this event at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. Using tools from the 1890s, experts will demonstrate how to tap a tree, check collection buckets, and thicken sap over the fire. READ MORE

Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees

Garfield Park — FREE
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its spring flower show "Bee's Knees." The show displays the relationship between bees and blooms and includes tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, hydrangeas, delphiniums, azaleas, and more. Empty observation and demo hives are hidden amongst the flowers to give visitors a view from the bees' perspectives. READ MORE

Sugar Bush Fair

Schaumburg — FREE
Spring Valley Nature Center's annual celebration of maple sugar is sweet. See demonstrations of how maple syrup and enjoy historic reenactments. READ MORE

CANCELED -The Princess and the Pea

Lincolnshire
All remaining performances have been canceled. Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, the Marriott Theatre has a new musical version of the classic tale The Princess and the Pea. READ MORE

The Greatest Story Never Told

Lake View
A hapless narrator stumbles on stage and discovers the storybook has no text and that the actors are all stuck in traffic. The solution is for the children in the audience to volunteer to come on stage and become a character in The Greatest Story Never Told! Along with help from “The Greatest Interns,” volunteers put on costumes and help make up scenes and songs for a story inspired by audience suggestions. “The Greatest Interns” are played by a rotating cast of professional adult improvisers who are particularly adept at... READ MORE

TEMPORARILY CLOSED Troll Hunt

Lisle
This limited time exhibition features six giant wooden trolls built by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Ranging from 15 to 30 feet tall and up to 60 feet long, the trolls are fabled to have come to the Morton Arboretum to protect its trees and nature. Visitors can hike or drive to find the trolls with the help of maps and signs along the way. READ MORE

Kids' Dream Family Film Series

Addison
Kids and kids at heart can enjoy a series of classic films for just $3 each at the Marcus Theatre chain in Addison, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Gurnee, Elgin, and Orland Park. Series passes are available for $10 and allow viewers to see all five films. READ MORE
Kids will love to see the Chicago River turn green! Photo by Max Talbot-Minkin via Flickr
Kids will love to see the Chicago River turn green! Photo by Max Talbot-Minkin via Flickr

Things to Do Saturday

St. Patrick’s Day Kids Cruise

River North
Wendella Boat Tours hosts a special St. Patrick's Day cruise for the whole family! See the Chicago river dyed green and participate in kids' activities while onboard. READ MORE

The Dyeing of the Chicago River & St. Patrick's Day Parade

Chicago Loop — FREE
The Irish and Irish at heart can join the City of Chicago in the annual dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The best place to see the dyeing is the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and the river. The 2023 parade theme is "Recognizing Workers' Rights" READ MORE

CANCELED - Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Chicago Loop — FREE
CANCELED - This event has been cancelled.  The annual Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade will start at 12 noon at Balbo and Columbus Drive, and will proceed north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Street.  READ MORE

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade

Naperville — FREE
Families can watch more than 100 parade entries including floats, cars, bands, dancers, and singers make their way through downtown Naperville at this event sponsored by West Suburban Irish. The parade starts at Naperville North High School and proceeds south on Mill Street to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Main, and south on Main, ending at Water Street. READ MORE

St. Patrick's Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center

Mayfair
Celebrate all things Irish at the Irish American Heritage Center following the downtown St. Patrick's Day parade. Activities include contemporary Irish music, Irish dance, arts and crafts, vendors, exhibits, Irish language lessons, genealogy workshops, and a book sale. The Wiggleworms will perform for the kids. READ MORE

One Earth Film Festival

River Forest
Kids can learn more about the environment and threats to it through films. The One Earth Film Fest includes both in-person and virtual offerings for kids ages 3 and up. Animated and live action films provide education and entertainment for families. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

River North
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

Holi at Navy Pier

Navy Pier
Navy Pier hosts Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Live music, educational programming and food from Bombay Wraps will be available in the AON Grand Ballroom.Colored powder will be available while supplies last from 1pm-4pm in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. READ MORE

CANCELED - Red Kite, Brown Box

West Loop
The Chicago Children's Theatre hosts an interactive theatrical experience that leads children with autism and their caregivers on an imaginative journey where simple cardboard boxes transform into a magical world full of treasures and joyous play. READ MORE

CANCELED Holi at Chicago Kali Bari

Glen Ellyn
Families can celebrate Holi by playing with colors and enjoying music and snacks. Throwing colors will take place outside and no colors are allowed in the temple. READ MORE
South Side's St. Patrick's Day Parade brings out thousands of people for dancers, bands, and 119 floats. Photo by Kate Gardiner via Flickr
South Side's St. Patrick's Day Parade brings out thousands of people for dancers, bands, and 119 floats. Photo by Kate Gardiner via Flickr

Things to Do Sunday

South Side Irish Parade

South Side — FREE
The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon from 103rd & Western and proceed south down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The Parade Honoree will be the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) that is celebrating its 75th year of improving and developing the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park community. READ MORE

Northwest Side Irish Parade

Norwood Park
The 19th Annual Northwest Side Irish Parade will kick off at noon at Onahan School. The parade will end around 1:30 pm at Harlem Ave. The official after-party will begin at 1 pm at St. Thecla Falcon Hall 6725 W. Devon Chicago 60631. More information about the after-party can be found here. READ MORE

Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center

Northbrook — FREE
This festival includes tree tapping, maple syrup samples, games, and crafts. You will even get to learn a bit about the history of maple syrup. READ MORE

St. Patrick's Day at Gallagher Way

Wrigleyville — FREE
Enjoy some Northside Irish hospitality with music, dancing, crafts, and of course beer for the adults. Kids can have their faces painted, watch a balloon artist and a wandering magician, and make crafts. The first 500 guests will receive complimentary cake balls from West Town Bakery. READ MORE

The Music of Queen for Kids

Elmhurst
Families can go Radio Ga Ga for Queen at this event presented by Animal Crackers at Fitz's Spare Keys in Elmhurst. Sing-a-longs, dancing and hula hooping will be on tap as kids learn their first Queen classics. Families can arrive up to 30 minutes in advance to ensure table seating. A second show has opened at 2:30 because of the popularity of the first show at noon. READ MORE

CANCELED - LEGO Build: NBC Tower

New Eastside
The Chicago Architecture Center encourages architecture enthusiasts 8 and up to take a walk outside to observe NBC Tower, discover how Art Deco inspired the design, and then create their own version of the office building at this family-friendly event!  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
Naperville North High School