Local

Free Things To Do in Chicago

Chicago Park District events for the winter season. Polar Adventure Days- Jan 21 & Feb 18; Also check out their calendar for their listing of events!

WinterFest @ the Daley Plaza on Jan 28, 10am-1pm. $5

Chicago Cultural Center resumes its Sunday Salon Series in October.

Lincoln Park Conservatory free spring flower show! Jan 21- May 13th.

The Theatre School at DePaul University hosts shows for children! Check their calendar for more info!

Downtown Naperville Events this fall!

Visit Illinois State Parks!!

Chicago Architecture Foundation Studio Sundays (Every third Sunday). Free. 10am-2:30pm. Returns in September.

The Children's Farm Weekend Family Tours March through November every Sat & Sunday from 1-4pm. Two and up $5 admission.

Lake Katherine Nature Center- Check out events and nature programs for kids that are offered at discounted rates!

Each Saturday have teens try Improv! at Second City. Free. 6pm-6:50pm.

smARTkids at the Library: Express Yourself. 1-4pm. Free. Blackstone Branch Library. smARTkids events occur every second Saturday.

Hyde Park Art Center- Second Sunday Free Art-making workshops and activities. 1-4pm.

Frank Lloyd Wright Studio has many Family Fun events on Saturdays. Jan 18-19 Free tours for families. Worshops for kids such as Lego Architects, Froebel Block workshop, and more! Only $5 for child. Ages 6 and up. Advance registration required.

Garfield Park Conservatory- Family Make-and-Take activity is every Saturday & Sunday from 1-3pm. Free admission ($3 donations suggested). Discover the power of plants in the children's garden from 11-4pm every weekend.

Sundays Jazz Matinees @ 4pm at the Jazz Showcase. 12 & under free. Adults vary. Visit website for more information.

Oak Lawn Children's Museum $6 admission. Free parking available at the Metra garage. New exhibits- Milk a cow; Let's Chat!

***The following Chicago museums are free if you have a Chicago Public Library card! Visit a Chicago public library to pick up a week-long free admission to one of the museums below. Also, if you are already a member of another library system you may also be eligible for a Chicago library card!!

Adler Planetarium Planet Explorers exhibit. Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary general admission on Adler Discount Days with proof of residency.

Free Museum of Science & Industry admission on Jan 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 31. Dr. Seuss & the Art of Invention exhibit.

Museum of Contemporary Art. 11am-3pm. Free. Family Days are every second Saturday. Returns on Oct 8, 2011- Out of the Box!

Art Institute of Chicago-
The Knight exhibit is open! Every Sat-Sun from 10:30am-3pm is the Artist's Studio. The event is free at the Ryan Education Center. Free admission every first & second Wednesday beginning June 1st, 2011. All day!!!

Field Museum Chocolate, Horse & Whale exhibits. FREE Field Museum general admission: Jan 19, 20, 24, 26, 27 & 31. Interpretive Station Activities--Hands-on activities for kids. Check information desk for daily list of activities.

Shedd Aquarium- Discount Days (FREE) are January: 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 February: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28.

Chicago Children's Museum- Free first Sundays of every month and free Thursday nights from 5-8pm. Exhibits: Play it Safe!; Ready, Set, Move!

Brookfield Zoo- Check your local library for free admission tickets.

Chicago History Museum- Free on Mondays. Exhibits: My Chinatown; Lincoln Treasures;

Chicago Botanic Garden-
Every Sat & Sun at the Vegetable/Fruit Garden are free family drop-in activities days. From 11-3pm. (Parking at the Garden is $20.)

Storytown- $5
Storytelling at its best! Actors participate in an improvised tale where kids participate in its creation. Every Saturday.
10:30am (visit site for ticket details).

The Morton Arboretum- Visit the beautiful children's garden and Husky Heroes Jan 28, 29. Best time to visit is on discount Wednesdays $7 Adults (18–64) $6 Seniors (65+) $5 Youth (2–17)

Music for Kids

Lunch Money

Justin Roberts on tour!

Zooglobble is a website of the latest music for kids.

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Hot Tix offers half prices on shows in Chicago!
Groupon.com Deals & discounts throughout Chitown!
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Upcoming & Ongoing 2011 Events

Half-off movies at a theater: La Grange Theatre, & others.

Museum Adventure Pass Program- Free admission or parking to participating museums in the area. See if your public library participates in this program.

Lowe's offers free build & grow clinics(preregistration required) where kids can actually build something using real tools!

Michael's- The stores offer free family events the third Saturday of every month from 1-3pm.

Barnes & Noble- Orland Park has story time Wed & Sat at 10:30am. Oak Brook Center has special events every month.

Lakeshore Learning Store- 2255 W 95 St, Chicago. Crafts for Kids ongoing every Saturday. Free from 11am-3pm.

Maxwell Street Market- Free on Sundays from 7am-3pm.  The Maxwell Street Market is an open flea market with fruits, veggies, spices and a whole variety of items being sold on the cheap. Also, it is the best place to get cheap, authentic Mexican food (fresh tortillas anyone?). Roosevelt Rd/Des Plaines.

Remember to check your local public library and park district
for free or low cost events in your neighborhood.