The weekend is here and there is lots to do in the city with the entire family including many free events. Choose from free entry to a couple of the top museums/nature museums in the city such as the Art Institute of Chicago and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Or maybe head to a kiddo concert or kids improv show. Top it off with an eye catching boat show that is sure to please the biggest truck/boat enthusiast! Stay warm and have a great weekend!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017
Peggy Notebaert Bday Celebration Free Day
What: Join us January 9-16 as we mark our 160th birthday with treats, scavenger hunts, the chance to check out rarely-seen specimens, a very special critter connection, and more! Enjoy free admission January 9th - 13th as we extend our Suggested Donation Day for Illinois residents! See rarely-seen specimens when we Open the Vault January 12th - 14th!
Date/Time: Friday January 13, 2017, 9 AM to 5 PM
Cost: Free Museum Entry
Location:
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
773-755-5100
Sing Along with Electric Neil
What: Sing along with Electric Neil delights young audiences with silly songs and tall tales every Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 and 10 a.m. at the Main Barn in Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo. Join Electric Neil as he performs original songs while the wee ones dance and sing along. This joyful jamboree features animal songs and dances for children ages 6 and younger accompanied by a caregiver.
Date/Time: Friday January 13, 2017 at 9:15 AM and 10 AM
Cost: FREE
Location:
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-2000
Drop In French Class
What: What better way to learn French then along with your bébé. This is a drop in class for ages 0 - 3 years. Adventure together with some first steps into the whimsical My French Neighborhood. Instructor Shara Doliget will share whimsical stories while you and your little one absorb a little language as short French words and phrases are sprinkled in with music and song. Imaginative interactive play is around every corner in My French Neighborhood. It's fun to be in the neighborhood and you will fit right in!
Date/Time: Friday January 13, 2017 at 10:15 AM to 11 AM
Cost:
$10 cash to drop in.
Location:
Sprout San Francisco
1943 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-489-0009
Free Kids Entry at Art Institute of Chicago
What: With free admission for kids under 18, the Art Institute is a perfect family outing! Explore our family-friendly art-making activities, self-guides, games, and more below.
The Art Institute of Chicago collects, preserves, and interprets works of art of the highest quality, representing the world’s diverse artistic traditions, for the inspiration and education of the public and in accordance with our profession’s highest ethical standards and practices.
Date/Time: Daily from 10:30 AM to 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Location:
Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-443-3600
Mom & Tot Bowling
What: Monday – Fridays, Pinstripes has reserved a special Mom and Tot bowling hours from 10 am to 12 pm. Mom and Tot bowling available at Pinstripes Northbrook, South Barrington, Chicago and Oak Brook. Limit 4 children per adult. Age 12 and under.
Date/Time: Monday to Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM
Cost: $3 per Child/Game, with a $4 shoe rental. Parents bowl free!
Location:
Pinstripes Chicago
435 E. Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-527-3010
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017
Free Storytime at Volumes Bookcafe
What: Need something to do with your small children. Join us for story time! Stories, songs and crafts every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 AM.
Date/Time: Saturday January 14, 2017 at 10 AM
Cost: FREE
Location:
Volumes Bookcafe
1474 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-697-8066
Family Swim
What: If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to do as a family, try our fun Family Swim. Family Swim is a great way for children and their families to spend an afternoon or evening together in our shiver-free 90-degree pool. Even better, children can put into practice everything they’ve learned from their swim lessons.
Date/Time: Join us every Saturday for Family Swim from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. Saturdays require reservations, please send your requests to swimroscoevillage@goldfishss.com starting at 10:00 AM on the Saturday you wish to swim, Please include the total number of swimmers.
Location:
Goldfish Swim School, Roscoe Village
2630 W. Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618
773-588-7946
Kids Improv Show
What: From superheroes to undersea adventures, princesses to dinosaurs, Storytown takes you on an interactive, fully improvised adventure. The actors use audience suggestions and ideas to create a different story every week. Kids design the setting and help shape the story. The actors, artists and musicians bring it to life. When the possibilities are endless, no two stories are ever the same.
Date/Time: Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Age: Shows are recommended for ages 3-10 and their whole family.
Cost: Children under 2 are free. All other tickets are $10.
Location:
Storytown Improv
1225 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, Il 60657
773-245-3443
Chicago Boat Show
What: The Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, RV and Strictly Sail Show is the Windy City’s BIGGEST marine and outdoors sales event. If you love boating, RVing, OR sailing, this is YOUR show! There’s no better place to see and buy boats. Plus, an incredible line up of family-friendly features, boating, sailing and RVing education and hands-on activities that make a day at the show fun for everyone!
Date/Time: January 11 – 15, 2017
Location:
McCormick Place —South
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017
Concert for Kids – Tunes with Tim
What: Beat Kitchen, a popular restaurant with a concert venue in the back, hosts a weeekly kids concert on Sundays! What a fun and creative way to spend your Sundays with the whole family.
Date/Time: Sunday January 15, 2017 at 12 PM, Doors open at 11 AM
Cost: $6 to $10
Location:
Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
773-281-4444
Family Yoga
What: Introduce yoga to your kids at a young age! Our family class incorporates breathing, dancing, partner poses, games, story time and relaxation so that the whole family can enjoy the benefits of yoga. It is recommended that children are at least walking to be able to fully participate in this class, pre-walking siblings are always welcome to join their older siblings
Date/Time: Sunday at 3:30 to 4:15 PM
Location:
Tula Yoga
2827 W. Belden Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-620-9945
Fiddleheads
What: Each weekend we cook up projects that get kids and families wondering about the plants and the natural world. Come visit over the weekend to get a dose of the tropics and keep your kids connected to nature throughout Chicago’s colder months. Each month, we will wonder about the natural world in a different way, with activities changing weekly. Please Note: activities are subject to change.
Date/Time: Saturday and Sunday, January 14 – 15, 2017
Cost: Free
Location:
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central
Chicago, IL 60624
312-746-5100
Photo Credit: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum