Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, the situation with Covid-19 is fluid and ever-changing. We’re doing our best to keep all of our stories and calendar up to date. Stay safe, and stay home!
Keeping a family entertained can deflate the wallet rather quickly. Teach the family the value of a dollar by exploring the free—or incredibly cheap—activities that Chicago has to offer. Our Top 20 picks add up to a whole wealth of fun. Plus, it’s easy on your pocketbook. You can thank us later.
photo: Lincoln Park Zoo via Maria Chambers
1. Lincoln Park Zoo might seem obvious, but Chicagoans shouldn’t take for granted that our city is home to one of the few free zoos in the U.S. On Wednesdays and Fridays, sway along to a joyful jamboree featuring animal songs and dances for wee ones by Mr. Singer. Parking starts at $20, so take public transportation or hoof it to keep the visit free. (2001 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park)
COVID-19 UPDATE: LPZ is officially open! Read our story Chicago Zoos are Open! Get the When, What, How of a Zoo Visit! to prepare ahead. You won’t find Mr. Singer at LPZ right now, but you can get your fix with an online class.
2. See a colorful new world unfold at the free-admission National Museum of Mexican Art. The 10,000-piece permanent collection spans ancient Mexico to the present day, and is one of the largest in the country. (1852 W. 19th St., Pilsen)
COVID-19 UPDATE: During the Covid-19 crisis, the National Museum of Mexican Art has compiled a list of their favorite activities to enjoy at home, including coloring pages, word searches, and even a tutorial on how to make papel picado.
3. Chicago Children’s Museum’s program, Play Late Thursdays, lets groups of up to 4 people enter for $20 every Thursday (4 p.m.-8 p.m.). Their new Cloud Buster exhibit celebrates the adventure and risk-taking qualities that are inherent to childhood with a 30-ton, 37-foot-tall steel dreamscape that offers kids a challenging climb. Now through May 10, young imaginations are invited to play in the Castle exhibit with secret tunnels, a rope bridge, tower, dungeon, throne room, wizard’s room, kitchen, feasting table, market and more. (700 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier)
COVID-19 UPDATE: While CCM is closed at this time, their website gives ideas for museum-like fun at home.
4. On our more mild winter days, pedal your bikes and enjoy views of the skyline, lake and Museum Campus on the Northerly Island trail. The path is just a little more than one mile, a very manageable distance for little bike riders, and without the jostle and crowds of the lakefront path. (1521 S. Linn White Dr., Near Southside)
COVID-19 UPDATE: Northerly Island Park is open on a keep-it-moving basis. There is no congregating, but you can run, jog, bike, walk and rollerblade.
5. Be transported to another place and time when you step inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory, where you’ll find tropical palms and ancient ferns right in the heart of Lincoln Park. No matter the time of year, their four display houses are always green and lush. . . and free! (2391 N. Stockton Dr., Lincoln Park)
COVID-19 UPDATE: Lincoln Park Conservatory is temporarily closed.
6. Tire them out before nap time at North Park Village Nature Center. At the 155-acre paradise, you can hike through woodland, wetland, prairie and savanna; and interact with hands-on exhibits at the adored nature center. In the Discovery Room little ones are encouraged to touch and feel natural objects. For other cold-weather hiking ideas, read our story Hit the Trails! Best Hikes with Kids No Matter the Season. (5801 N. Pulaski Rd., North Park)
COVID-19 UPDATE: The trails at the North Park Village Nature Center are currently open.
photo: Chait Goli via Pexels
7. Pretend you’re a tourist and visit Cloud Gate, aka The Bean. (201 E. Randolph, Loop)
COVID-19 UPDATE: Millennium Park is partially reopened, but Cloud Gate is only visible from a distance.
8. Color your world at the free-admission Ed Paschke Art Center. Filled with the large-scale oil paintings by the famed Chicago artist, the galleries are a great place to stimulate the senses, no matter how young or old you are. There is even a replica of the artist’s studio. (5415 W. Higgins Ave., Jefferson Park)
COVID-19 UPDATE: The Ed Paschke Art Center is currently closed, but consider making a tax-deductible donation to support them.
9. Visiting museums as a family of four or more can break the bank, so take advantage of free days at The Art Institute (always free Thursdays, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and every day for ages 14 & under), Shedd Aquarium (several upcoming dates), The Field Museum (the month of Feb., and other dates), Adler Planetarium (too many dates to list), and The Museum of Science and Industry(check their website for a full list). Keep in mind that free days are good for general admission only, not special exhibits.
COVID-19 UPDATE: While Chicago’s museums are slowly reopening, reservations need to be made and distancing needs to be followed. If you’d prefer to wait on a visit, learn about their online offerings by reading our story Visit Chicago’s Brightest & Best Cultural Gems. . . Virtually!
10. You go to the library to check out books. But you can spend just as much time checking out the scene. At certain extra-special libraries in Chicago and the suburbs, there are educational toys, engaging activities and interactive atmospheres that entice kids to hang out for hours. Whether you need an indoor hideout when it’s blasting hot or want to make the case that reading is cool, these spots in our story Beyond Books: Local Libraries with a Twist are great places to start.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Some Chicago Public Libraries have reopened, check their website for the status of your favorite. They also have a great online resource page with activities targeting kids.
11. Wake up with wndr the fun and engaging West Loop museum that invites you to tap into the curiosity and playfulness that lives within and around all of us! On the last Sunday of each month, wndr invites families for Sunday Morning Cartoons. Tickets come with classic cartoons projected in the food and beverage space plus all-you-can-eat cereal from the cereal bar. (1130 W. Monroe St., West Loop)
COVID-19 UPDATE: wndr is temporarily closed to help flatten the curve.
12. Read our story Red-Hot Fun! Chicago Firehouses Kids Can Tour and introduce the kids to real-life superheroes.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Firehouse tours are suspended to help keep these heroes, their families and your family safe.
photo: Legend Tasty House via Maria Chambers
13. Expose kids to another culture in their own city with a walk through Chinatown. Visit Chinatown Gate, Nine Dragon Wall and Ping Tom Memorial Park, and end the trip with a stop at Legend Tasty House for rolled ice cream.
14. Five cents doesn’t go far these days, which is why Northbrook’s Nickel City is so refreshing. Games like Skee-Ball and Bozo Buckets take nickels instead of tokens and old-school arcade staples like Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat operate for free. (555 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook)
15. With engaging music and dance in a kid-friendly setting, the FREE admission Juicebox programs are geared toward the stroller set and enjoyable for the whole family. Children will experience a diverse range of artistic and educational presentations, with hosts regularly inviting youngsters to move, dance and interact with performers. Held the first and third Friday and Saturdays of the month, Fridays at the Chicago Cultural Center and Saturdays at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Juicebox events are on hold at this time.
— Maria Chambers & Wendy Altschuler
featured photo: White77 via Pixabay
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