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Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids: Indoor Play, Kid-Friendly Shows

At Toys R' Us Adventure, the toys (and the fun) are larger than life. Photo courtesy of the event
At Toys R' Us Adventure, the toys (and the fun) are larger than life. Photo courtesy of the event
1/1/20 - By MommyPoppins

Happy new year! The first weekend of 2020 is full of indoor and outdoor fun for Chicago kids. Catch the last weekend of holiday farmhouse tours at Klein Creek Farm, or the final performances of Corduroy at the Emerald City Theater. Chicago kids have their pick of immersive indoor playscapes this winter, from Toys R Us Adventure to Cloudbuster to Winter Wonderfest. And see our list of Chicago's best indoor play spaces if you still have energy to burn!

It's your last weekend to catch some of Chicago's best holiday sights and lights, including Lightscapes at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Holidays of Light at MSI, Illuminations at Morton Arboretum, and the holiday flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. And if you haven't been to see the Mesmerica 360 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, this weekend's your last chance, and it might be just the thing to release all that holiday season stress.

For more weekend fun, check our event calendar for fresh picks daily. 

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Stop by Snowy's Spirits & S'more at the Lincoln Park ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Stop by Snowy's Spirits & S'more at the Lincoln Park ZooLights. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Things To Do All Weekend

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park — FREE
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo has been a favorite holiday event for more than 30 years, with light displays and seasonal activities throughout the zoo. The event is free on Monday evenings, and $7 most other weekdays, and $12 on weekends and premium dates. READ MORE

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier

Navy Pier
Families can come to the annual Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier's gigantic Festival Hall and enjoy carnival rides, giant slides, games, and refreshments, all indoors. READ MORE

Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Surrounded by color, light and music, visitors to the Morton Arboretum's Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum walk a one mile path illustrating the beauty of trees in winter.   READ MORE

Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright at Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park — FREE
This year’s Winter Flower Show “Merry & Bright” evokes the festivity of the season. While the outdoor landscape is gray (and maybe white!), the indoor Show House reveals a cheerful selection of poinsettias including ‘Viking Cinnamon’, ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Chorus Hot Pink’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’.  READ MORE

Mesmerica 360 Chicago: A Visual Music Journey

Museum Campus
Mesmerica is a family-friendly musical and visual experience designed to relieve stress. Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist, James Hood, together with visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world, create an immersive experience designed to transcend time, relax, soothe, and stimulate the mind and senses. READ MORE

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Museum Campus
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world. On the weekends, guests can also enjoy live holiday performances.   READ MORE

Corduroy

Magnificent Mile
Emerald City Theatre hosts a sweet adaptation of Don Freeman’s classic book, Corduroy. Kids can follow the little bear’s quest for a missing button and adventure through a department store after dark, all to find the friendship of a lifetime.   READ MORE

Farmhouse Tours

West Chicago — FREE
Families can learn about Victorian holiday traditions and farm life by visiting Klein Creek Farm this holiday season. The tour demonstrates how the farmhouse was a pillar of the community as a place for hard work and relaxation. Tours are at the top of the hour each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Toys R Us Adventure

Magnificent Mile
Toys R Us is back with an immersive experience for the whole family, including a toy-filled playland featuring the Paw Patrol Pals and Tickle-me-Elmo! READ MORE

TEMPORARILY CLOSED - CLOUD BUSTER at the Chicago Children's Museum

Navy Pier
The Chicago Children's Museum hosts CLOUD BUSTER, a 37-foot climbable structure made of steel, wood, wire, rope, acrylic, fiberglass, and artificial turf, designed by artist Kevin Winters. Kids can explore multiple levels and climb through unique spaces on their way up to The Apartment, designed to resemble a Chicago apartment, complete with Chicago-themed artwork and posters. READ MORE

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