Photo by Walter Mitchell
Juicebox, Photo Credit: Walter Mitchell
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.
Stroller Tours
When: Sept. 4
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.
End of Summer Block Party
When: Sept. 6
Where: Little Beans Cafe - Evanston, 430 Asbury Ave., Evanston
Little Beans closes off the parking lot for fun activities inside and outside. We’ll have 2 bounce houses, games, face painting, live music, hot dogs and chips, snow cone, fun activities and play inside and outside. There will also be a concert by Mary Macaroni.
Juicebox
When: Sept. 6-7
Where: Chicago Cultural Center and Garfield Park Conservatory
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.
Little Playtimes
When: Sept. 10, 17, 24
Where: Legoland Discovery Center, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
Legoland Discovery Center Chicago opens early on the second floor exclusively for kids 5 and under and their parents with unique and engaging programs. Programs include storytime, Duplo workshops and open play.
Bubblespalooza
When: Sept. 14
Where: Bubbles Academy, 2184 N. Elston, Chicago
Bubbles Academy is kicking off their 16th anniversary with an afternoon of music, bounce houses, kids' activity tables from our favorite partners, food and drinks from local restaurants, and all sorts of silly festival fun.
NPN Annual Preschool & Elementary School Fair
When: Sept. 14
Where: Future City Chicago, 750 S. Halsted, Chicago
More than 100 Chicago preschools and elementary schools will have reps on hand to talk about curriculum, educational philosophy, admissions and more.
Rock & Roll for Kids
When: Sept. 15
Where: Thalia Hall 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago
Using the songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse offers its core audience of babies and kids games, movement, and stories and an opportunity to rock out. This month's concert: Music of Reggae for Kids.
Elsa & Anna's Frozen Extravaganza
When: Sept. 15
Where: Fitz's Spare Keys, 119 N. York St., Elmhurst
Sisters Elsa & Anna will be on hand for a showing of "Frozen," sign the soundtrack, meet fans for photos and provide activities and group games.
Nathan Keay
MCA Stroller Tour, Photo Credit: Nathan Keay
Little Beans Fall Festival
When: Sept. 27
Where: Little Beans Cafe, 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
Enjoy a Fall Festival at Little Beans, complete with pumpkin painting, live music, a fall art project, hot dogs, bounce house and more.
Bubble Fest & Worldwide Day of Play
When: Sept. 28
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Bubble-celebrity Geoffrey Akins-Hannah returns to the museum for his live performances and sudsy science fun. Families can test their own soapy skills with bubble art and activities in the Bubble-Palooza Playground.
Fall Festival at the Farm
When: Sept. 28
Where: The Children's Farm at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park
Kids will enjoy games, pumpkin painting, and horse rides and everyone can join in on scarecrow making, touring the animal barns, a hayrack ride and listening to live music.
Kolcraft Baby Day
When: Sept. 28
Where: Kolcraft, 1100 W. Monroe St., Chicago
Join Kolcraft in the company parking lot for food, children’s activities, raffles, car seat inspections, baby product discounts, and take a photo in the World’s Largest Stroller.
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.
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.
Wiggleworms at Gallagher Way
When: Ongoing (Every Tuesday) — Through Sept. 24
Where: Gallagher Way, 3637 N. Clark St., Chicago
At each program, young children and their families can participate in an interactive, social and imaginative musical world with live music, shakers, bubbles, singing and dancing.
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.
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.
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