Chicago's affordable afterschool programs are located around the city. ​Photo courtesy of the Chicago 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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Best of February: 20+ Things to Do in Chicago with Kids

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Photo courtesy of Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
1/29/23 - 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 2023. Here's a list of the best.

February in Chicago can seem like a drag. But, there are plenty of fun minor holidays with celebrations and lots of opportunities for families to create excitement and stave off boredom. Start the month off with Groundhog Day—you can celebrate by seeing where the movie was filmed in far northwest suburban Woodstock. The first Saturday in February is National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, and Chicago families can do just that at Jeni's stores in the city and suburbs. Cherish love for your kids with a Valentine's Day tea party in Logan Square, skate date in Mundelein, or movie and dinner at Indian Boundary Park. Black History Month is also punctuated by unique ways to celebrate African-American culture, like taking a tour of Bronzeville or learning more about the history of the month at Chicago History Museum.

Don't forget to take part in all the traditional upper Midwest winter activities like sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. Check out one of our favorite things to do indoors on a cold or snowy day, or leave the city entirely with one of our winter day trips from Chicago. Whatever you choose to do, you can make February a fan favorite.

 

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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show

Best Things To Do in February in Chicago

Disney On Ice Presents Frozen and Encanto

February 3-5, 2023—Rosemont
Through innovation, technology, and participatory elements, beloved characters come to life in new ways and bring the magic closer than ever. This year, Disney presents its new favorites Frozen and Encanto on the rink for kids of all ages to enjoy. READ MORE

Downers Grove Ice Fest

February 3-5, 2023—Downers Grove
More than 60 creative ice sculptures will line the streets of Downtown Downers Grove at this annual festival. Sculptors start carve during the day on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum Chocolate Weekend

February 3-5, 2023—Lisle
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

February 4, 2023—Wheaton
The Wheaton Park District invites families to break their winter blues and experience Ice-A-Palooza! The event includes a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, open skating, hockey 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. Concessions will be available for sale.   READ MORE

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

February 4, 2023—Multiple locations
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream is scooping out Maple Soaked Pancakes ice cream to celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Take a picture of your family eating ice cream before noon in your time zone and tag it with #IceCreamIsBreakfast to be counted in part of Jeni's attempt to set a world record for the number of people eating ice cream for breakfast. READ MORE

Snowtrekking in the Nature Sanctuary at Burnham Park

February 3, 10, 15, and 17, 2023—Northerly Island
The Chicago Parks District hosts snow-trekking at Burnham Park, where participants can learn more about winter birds and wildlife on the prairie. READ MORE

For The Love of Chocolate

February 11, 2023—Glen Ellyn
Discover downtown Glen Ellyn through chocolates! A ticket buys each visitor a box from Chocolaterie Stam, and they must visit other downtown businesses to fill their box with a dozen unique bonbons. READ MORE

Chicago Auto Show

February 11-20,2023—Motor Row District
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. READ MORE

Farmhouse Tours: Keeping Your Family Healthy in Winter

Thursdays through Mondays throughout February—West Chicago
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. Discover how candy was used as medicine and learn about how first floor bedrooms were converted to "sick rooms" . Tours are at the top of the hour each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Wally's Big Bowl Family Bash

February 12, 2023—Lombard
Wally Wizard is once again hosting the “Big Bowl Family Bash” on SUPER SUNDAY - February 12th starting at 4:30 pm. Football fans can watch the top two teams battle for glory on our 10-foot jumbo wall projection TV while enjoying the TAILGATER'S BUFFET of pizza, pasta, salad, UNLIMITED soft drinks, and more! READ MORE

Presidents Day at the Chicago History Museum

February 20, 2023—Old Town
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 and free museum admission. READ MORE
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtes
Sculpture of Jean-Baptiste Dusable, founder of Chicago. Photo courtes

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Chicago

Black History Month Tours

Saturdays throughout February, 2023—Bronzeville
Join award-winning historian Dilla on a tour of Bronzeville, once known as the Black Metropolis. The tour includes stops at Provident Hospital, home to one of the first successful open heart surgeries, and Pilgram Baptist, the birthplace of gospel music. READ MORE

Community Black History Exhibit at Brainerd Park

February 24, 2023—Washington Heights
Brainerd Park hosts a Black History Month exhibit where community members can learn about Black History Month, play games, and have fun. READ MORE

Black History Month Family Event at the Chicago History Museum

February 25, 2023—Old Town
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 by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1925 and how it was later expanded to an entire month by President Gerald Ford in 1976. READ MORE

Black History Month: Underground Railroad Walks

February 25, 2023—South Holland
Sand Ridge Nature Center has set up a self-guided tour for families to walk themselves through a portion of the Underground Railroad that ran through the Calumet Region during the mid-1800s. READ MORE
Groundhog Day in Woodstock Illinois photo courtesy of Illinois Farm Bureau Partners
Groundhog Day in Woodstock Illinois photo courtesy of Illinois Farm Bureau Partners

Fun Events for Groundhog Day in Chicago

Groundhog Days

February 1-5, 2023—Woodstock
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

The Search for Greg the Groundhog and His Friends

February 4, 2023—South Holland
Kids can pick up a scavenger hunt page at the Sand Ridge Nature Center to search the trails for Greg the Groundhog and his friends. Anyone who completes the scavenger hunt will receive a small prize while supplies last. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Winter Lights at Central Park, Facebook
Photo courtesy of Winter Lights at Central Park, Facebook

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

Mommy & Me Kids Valentine Tea Party

February 5, 2023—Logan Square
Celebrate Valentine's Day with mom with high tea and cupcake decorating at Park & Field. Admission includes tea sandwiches, cookies, bars and scones. Kids can choose soft drinks or juice and grown ups can have a hot tea, hot toddy, or glass of champagne. READ MORE

CANCELED: Family Skate Date

February 11, 2023—Mundelein
Skate along with your special Valentine(s) at the Community Ice Rink in Mundelein. The event includes skating, a cookie decorating workshop, pizza, and a family friendly vieweing of The Parent Trap. READ MORE

Family Valentine Dinner & Movie at Indian Boundary Park

February 10, 2023—West Ridge
Families can share their love along with a light buffet dinner and a Disney classic movie at Indian Boundary Park. Advanced registration is required due to limited seating. READ MORE

Sweetheart Valentine's Dance at Mayfair Park

February 11, 2023—Mayfair
At this annual event, families enjoy a fun time dancing, making crafts, and taking pictures at a photo booth. Concessions available for a separate fee. READ MORE
Snow Trekking at Northerly Island Park. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Forest Preserve
Snow Trekking at Northerly Island Park. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Forest Preserve

More Things To Do in Chicago this Season

30+ Things To Do in Chicago This Winter with Kids

Don't let the cold stop you: We've got indoor, outdoor, and at-home picks for winter fun. READ MORE

50 Awesome Things To Do Indoors in Chicago with Kids

Here are places to play, learn, create, and climb with Chicago kids on cold or rainy days. READ MORE

Best Sledding Hills In and Near Chicago

When the snow falls, it's time to hit the hills. READ MORE

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing this winter season. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks for Chicago Kids and Families

The Best Places to Snowboard or Ski Near Chicago with Kids

Discover the best spots where Chicago families can ski and shred. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Central Athletic Complex- Ice Rink
Enchanted Castle Family Entertainment Center
DuSable Museum of African American History
Keith Mione Community Ice Rink
Bittersweet Ski and Snowboard Resort