Alexa Rogals
Explore Chicago and suburbs with your little one! You’ll be surprised by how much there’s to do from music and fitness classes to special playtimes. Check out the full list below to start planning your outings.
Note: Please check the event website to see if registration is required.
Juicebox
When: May 3, 4, 17, 18
Where: Chicago Cultural Center (May 3, 17) and Garfield Park Conservatory (May 4,18)
Parents and young children can enjoy Chicago's best music, dance and theater in a kid-friendly setting. Kids can sit on the floor, walk around, meet the artists and sometimes play with instruments and puppets. Friday performances are at the Chicago Cultural Center and Saturday performances are at Garfield Park Conservatory.
Zoo-Topia! Kid Rock
When: May 7
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Kids 1-5 will enjoy an animal and zoo-themed session of songs, instruments and imaginative play. Register in advance.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar 50th Birthday Bash
When: May 8
Where: Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library, 11960 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip
Celebrate of the 50th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. Listen to this wonderful story, sing and dance. Then crawl through tunnels to emerge as a butterfly and flitter away when you receive your wings. At the end of our celebration, we will release butterflies into our children’s garden (weather permitting).
Friday Fun
When: May 10
Where: Round Lake Area Park District - Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake
One Friday a month we will combine the Children's Neighborhood Museum playtime with theme-related activities. Recommended for ages 1-6.
Pete the Cat StoryWalk
When: May 11
Where: Prairie Path Park, 565 S. Stewart Ave., Glen Ellyn
Help Pete the Cat unveil the new StoryWalk book. There will be giveaways, cute photo ops, and lots of cat hugs.
Flower Cupcakes for Toddlers
When: May 25
Where: Taste Buds Kitchen, 2521 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Whip up flower cupcakes completely from scratch. Toddlers ages 2-5 can join a caregiver and learn the trick to making a perfect cupcake and flowers.
South Side Story Time
When: May 26
Where: Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 E. Garfield Blvd., Chicago
Kids ages 6 and younger can listen, learn, sing, dance, and interact. South Side Story Time is a monthly gathering that curates readings for its young attendees along with the chance for their parents to socialize.
Stroller Tour
When: June 5
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago
Tours are designed to allow adults to be mindful of their babies and young children while exploring the galleries on a guided tour. Caregivers discover the MCA's exhibitions with a docent, exploring galleries without concern that their baby or stroller will disrupt the tour.
Baby & Me
When: Ongoing (Every Monday)
Where: Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
A chance for parents of infants to meet others adjusting to parenthood, ask questions and make friends, all free of charge. A nurse representative from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital will be in attendance to answer questions and facilitate discussions about early childhood development.
Morning Glories
When: Ongoing (Every Monday)
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago
Children and their caregivers can explore different areas of the Children’s Garden in the winter and the Play and Grow Garden in the summer. Activities are fun, interactive, and encourage children’s curiosity about the natural world. Children learn through play and experience in this program, and educators provide story time read-alouds, imaginative play, and sensory activities. Recommended for children 5 and younger.
The Get Together
When: Ongoing (Every Monday)
Where: Virginia Frank Child Development Center, 6639 N. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago
The Get Together is a weekly group for parents, grandparents, caregivers and children ages newborn-5 years to meet others with young children. Get away from feeling “cooped up” and “isolated”. Share experiences, ideas, and concerns with others and staff whose skills are in family and child development. Discuss developmental issues and watch them unfold as children play.
Shadow Puppet Story Time
When: Ongoing (Every Monday and Friday)
Where: Wonder Works, 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park
An exciting adventure into story and legend with Bill, the museum's story time expert, and his trusty sidekick, who put on an amazingly shadowy performance.
Stroller Grooves
When: Ongoing (Every Tuesday)
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
The inaugural series showcases premier local talent who specialize in music arrangements for younger audiences, ideal for toddlers and young children. Series performers include Little Miss Ann—mom, former Chicago Public School teacher and award-winning kids’ musician and other noteworthy talented acts.
Kido Books Storytime
When: Ongoing (Every Tuesday)
Where: Kido, 1137 S. Delano Ct., Chicago
Read some new stories and classic tales. The story time specializes in books that feature multicultural characters and encourage empathy and inclusivity.
Songs and Stories
When: Ongoing (Every Thursday)
Where: Bubbles Academy, 2184 N. Elston, Chicago
Join artists at Bubbles Academy every Thursday afternoon for songs and stories. Entry includes cost for open play.
Music Jam at *Play
When: Ongoing (Every Thursday)
Where: Play, 3109 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
Enjoy music with a new theme each week at *play in Logan Square. Music Jam will be held outside during cooperative weather.
Got an upcoming baby or toddler event? Email us the event details at calendar@chicagoparent.com or submit the event online.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
