Photo Credit: DuPage Children's Museum
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: March 1, 2, 15, 16
Where: Chicago Cultural Center (March 1, 15) and Garfield Park Conservatory (March 2, 16)
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.
Dr. Seuss's Birthday Bash
When: March 2
Where: North Berwyn Community Center, 1619 Wesley Ave., Chicago
Dive into the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss to celebrate his birthday. Enjoy Seuss Story Time, Seuss Crafts, meet the Cat in the Hat, mix Seussian Oobleck and more.
The World Inside of Me
When: Through March 3
Where: The Station 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
The production is designed specifically for pre-K youth, and is part art and part science, showcasing the creative abilities of our youngest children. The interactive experience celebrates the human body, following human development from pre-natal through age 5 (the age span of the participants).
Baby Soul Jam
When: March 3
Where: The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, Chicago
DJ, dancing and singing at an all-ages kids-run party presented by Mama Fresh and Kido.
Stroller Tour
When: March 6
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.
Prairie Prowl: Bird Hike
When: March 6
Where: Northerly Island, 1400 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago, Illinois
Birds begin to return to Chicago for the spring. Borrow some of binoculars at Northerly Island and see which bird you can identify. Dress for the weather as time will be spent outdoors.
Cloudy with a Chance of Trees
When: March 13-20
Where: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Explore clouds, sunshine, rain and trees in this sensory-based program all about weather. Children will hike, listen to stories and create their own weather-related craft. Recommended for ages 18-35 months.
Family Cooking Class
When: March 23
Where: Bright Horizons at Skokie, 9877 Woods Drive, Skokie
When little chefs cook and help select their food, they not only learn healthy habits and expand their palates, but they also are exposed to scientific exploration as they combine different ingredients and see how temperature affects food. Enrichment Teacher, Ms. Dottie, will be leading families in a cooking class where they will prepare an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Recommended for ages 2-5 years with a parent. All children who attend will receive a Bright Horizons apron.
Eggstravaganza (Chicago)
When: March 29
Where: Olympia Park, 6566 N. Avondale Ave., Chicago
Event includes egg hunt, inflatables, gift bag, crafts and photo op with the Easter Bunny.
Holi Celebration: India's Festival of Colors
When: March 30
Where: Bubbles Academy, 2184 N. Elston, Chicago
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Holi celebration with Bollywood dancing, cultural exploration, Holi art & craft and Indian snacks. Open play included in cost.
Jack & The Beanstalk
When: Through May 10
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago
Join Jack and his dancing Spanish Cow Carmelita, as they try to save their village from a crazy Giant. All CKC productions feature professional actors, colorful scenery and costumes, sing-along songs, and plenty of audience participation. Recommended for ages 2-10.
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.
Got an upcoming baby or toddler event? Email us the event details at calendar@chicagoparent.com or submit the event online.
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