We kept things budget-friendly in January, so why not keep it going for Frugal February? We’ve gathered over 400 events and activities for free family things to do in February 2025, so there’s no need to worry about the price tag on your next family adventure.
Free visits to Chicago’s most renowned museums, a trip to your local library for new books, or a snow-filled day on the sled hills will fill your February with family fun. Best of all, they’ll keep your wallet full, too!
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Free February 2025 Fun in Chicagoland
Events may change, and some require prior registration. Please check directly with the hosting organization before you make plans!
February 1
- Global Connections: Lunar New Year (Navy Pier, Chicago)
- Home Depot Workshop (Check your local store)
- Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library)
- Play for All (Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier) – Registration required
- Legotastic Saturday (Brookfield Public Library)
- Early Childhood Resource Fair (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Puzzle and Game Swap (Westmont Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- PopCon (Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien)
- Lunar New Year Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library) – Registration required
- Family Art Studio (Woodridge Public Library)
- Super Saturday: Hip-Hop Hype (Mount Prospect Public Library) – Registration required
- George Washington Carver and Friends (Wheaton Public Library)
- Total T Magic Show (Nichols Library, Naperville)
- Winterfest (Annerino Community Center, Bolingbrook)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downers Grove)
- Family Free Play (Lemont Public Library)
- Black History Month Kickoff Drop-in (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs)
- Ice-A-Palooza (Central Athletic Complex, Wheaton)
- Dual Language Storytime: Urdu (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Disability Parent and Caregiver Support Group (Brookfield Public Library)
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February 2
- Cabin Fever Family Fun (Woodridge ARC)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Poetry Trail: Black History Month (Bemis Woods, Westchester)
- Sensory-Friendly Hour (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downers Grove)
- Groundhog Day (River Trail Nature Center. Northbrook)
- LEGO® Club (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Lego Challenge (Batavia Public Library)
February 3
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Developmental Speech Language Playgroup with Assential Therapies (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- New Parent Support Group (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Diabetes Awareness (Des Plaines Public Library)
- Drawing Workshop With Cartoonist Mark Anderson (Mount Prospect Public Library) – Registration required
- Build and Watch: Toy Story (Mount Prospect Public Library) – Registration required
- Movie Monday: Moana (Maywood Public Library)
- Legopalooza (Berwyn Public Library) – Registration required
- Love a Groundhog (Lemont Public Library) – Registration required
- Noche de la Familia (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Family Book Trivia Showdown (La Grange Public Library) – Registration required
- Family Game Night (95th Street Library, Naperville)
February 4
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Nature Storytime with The Morton Arboretum (Westmont Public Library)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- Small Serendipity (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Play and Learn (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch)
- Lego Club (Schiller Park Public Library) – Registration required
- The Gaming Hour: Oversized Games Edition (Wheaton Public Library)
- Bingo: Black History Month Edition (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Chinese Storytime (Nichols Library, Naperville)
February 5
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- I am a Scientist (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs) – Registration required
- Wee Wonders (Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland) – Registration required
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- LEGO Builders Club (Prospect Heights Public Library) – Registration required
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago)
- Yoga for Kids (Brookfield Public Library)
- LEGO Club (St. Charles Public Library)
- Bon Appetit: Valentine’s Cookie Decorating (Franklin Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Wednesday Fun Night (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Songs and Stories (Westmont Public Library)
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February 6
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Free Family Days (Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Homeschool Hangout (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Early Intervention Playgroup (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Conservatory Kids Story Time (Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (The Art Institute of Chicago)
- LEGO® Club (La Grange Public Library)
- Valentine’s Photo Event (Hanover Park)
- Amanda Gorman: Changemaker (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Family Lego Night (Wheaton Public Library)
- Pokémon Club (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Pizza Party Palooza (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Family LEGO Build (Downers Grove Public Library)
February 7
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- Homeschool Hub (North Riverside Public Library)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Homeschool Hangout (Wheaton Public Library)
- Homeschool Game Club (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Super Awesome Movie Series: Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (North Riverside Public Library)
- City Spies Launch Party (Park Ridge Public Library) – Registration required
- First Friday: Amazing Dino Fossils with T-Rexplorers (Geneva Public Library)
- Family Valentine’s Day Art Workshop (Wood Dale Public Library) – Registration required
- First Friday: The Year of the Snake (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Super Bowl Party (Elmwood Park Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (Nichols Library, Naperville)
February 8
- Wonka Walk (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
- Winterpalooza (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
- Go Nuts for Donuts Storytime (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Tiny Toes Music (La Grange Public Library) – Registration required
- Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration (Uptown, Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Love Storycraft (Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien) – Registration required
- Nature Valentines (Bolingbrook) – Registration required
- Paint a Tiny Masterpiece (Westmont Public Library)
- Love is in the Air Story Time (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
- Drop-In Craft: Create a Valentine Card (Batavia Public Library)
- Bookmobile Stop: Target (Bolingbrook)
- Mark Anderson Cartooning (Wheaton Public Library) – Registration required
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Family Day: Comfy Cozy (Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago)
- Winter Fest (Oak Park)
- Lego Club (Maywood Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- LEGO Club (Bolingbrook Historical Museum)
- Junior Naturalist Walk (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Craft Supply Swap (Franklin Park Public Library)
- Winter Fest (Lombard)
- Young Chefs (Maywood Public Library) – Registration required
- Black History Month Awareness Event (Bolingbrook High School)
- Pokemon Fun (Downers Grove Public Library)
- バイリンガルお話し探検家 / Japenese Bilingual Story Explorers (Schaumburg Township District Library)
February 9
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Happier Now Storytime with Scattering Joy (La Grange Park)
- Drop-In Craft: Create a Valentine Card (Batavia Public Library)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Chinatown, Chicago)
- Superb Owl Party (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
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February 10
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Lego Free Build (Wheaton Public Library)
- Taylor Swif-Tea Party (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood) – Registration required
- Valentine’s Day Card Making (North Riverside Public Library)
- Family Craft Time (Palatine)
- Happy Hearts Bingo (Palatine Public Library – North Hoffman Branch) – Registration required
- Game Night (Rolling Meadows Library)
- LEGO Squad (Mount Prospect Public Library) – Registration required
- La Loteria/La Lotería (Palatine Public Library – Rand Road Branch) – Registration required
- Dual Language Storytime: Arabic (Nichols Library, Naperville)
- Noche de Cine Familiar (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
February 11
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library)
- Storytime at Society 57 (Downtown Aurora)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Swedish American Museum Free Days (Chicago)
- Play and Learn (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch)
- Pokémon Club (Naper Boulevard Library, Naperville)
- Valentine Creations (Rolling Meadows Library)
- Kids Canvas: Heart Art (Schiller Park Public Library) – Registration required
- C.I.T.Y. of Support Playgroup (Elmhurst Public Library)
- Crafty Valentines (Wheaton Public Library)
- Family Movie Night – Noche de cine familiar (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
February 12
- Low Sensory Morning (Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago) – Registration required
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Children’s Story Time (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- Stories at the Nature Center (Creek Bend Nature Center, St. Charles)
- Birdwatching Story Walk (Kiwanis Park, Brookfield)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Crafternoon: Valentine Mailbox (Hanover Park Branch and Hoffman Estates Branch, Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago)
- LEGO Club (St. Charles Public Library)
- Milk and Cookie Storytime (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Wednesday Fun Night (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Polish Storytime: Valentine’s Day (Prospect Heights Public Library)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library) – Registration required
February 13
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Storytime at the Museum (Bolingbrook Historical Museum)
- Chat and Play Cafe (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Valentine’s Day Keepsake (Eola Road Branch, Aurora)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime (Brookfield Public Library)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Family Engineering: DIY Rubberband Cars (Mount Prospect Public Library)
February 14
- Friendship Crafts (Westmont Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime (Elmwood Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Friendship Fun (St. Charles Public Library)
- Music Exploration: HBCU Drumlines (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch) – Registration required
- Valentine’s Day Heart Scavenger Hunt (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Family Crafternoons (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Young Artists Workshops: Valentine’s Heart Collage (Prospect Heights Public Library)
- Friday Fun (St. Charles Public Library)
- Family Sweetheart Dance (Woodridge Public Library) – Registration required
- Tabletop Games Social Hour (Elmwood Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Movies in the Corner: Elemental (Des Plaines Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (Nichols Library, Naperville)
February 15
- Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library)
- Super Saturday: North Central O Gaugers Model Train Run (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
- Winter Birds – Nature Discovery Days (Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naperville)
- Noon Lions Club Free Vision Screening (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Big Blue Block Reading Forts (St. Charles Public Library)
- Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops (Check your local stores)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- The Big Balloon Show with Smarty Pants (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Brick Builders (Naper Blvd. Library, Naperville)
- Winter Pop-Up Fun (Swallow Cliff Woods North, Palos Hills)
- Rocks and Fossils with Peck Park Farm (Geneva Public Library)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Makerspace Fun: Marble Maze (Berwyn Public Library)
- Hot Cocoa Bar (Palatine Public Library)
- Movie Afternoon (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Family Movie – The Wild Robot (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Lego Club (West Branch, Aurora)
- Firefly Family Theatre Presents: Spark’s Snowy Day (Lemont Public Library) – Registration required
- Sing Along Movie Night: Encanto (Village Commons, North Riverside)
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February 16
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Family Sensory Hour (Elmhurst Public Library) – Registration required
- Tech Time (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Family Concert Series: Great American Songbook (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood)
- Bright Directions (Santori Library, Aurora)
February 17
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Winter Birds – Nature Discovery Days (Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naperville)
- Winter Wonderland (Geneva Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe) – Registration required
- Commemorative Day: Presidents’ Day (Chicago History Museum)
- The Floor is Lava Challenge (Westmont Public Library)
- Family LEGO Meetup (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Cold Blooded Parties Reptile Show (Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park Branches, Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- No School Movie Matinee (Woodridge Public Library)
- Animal Encounter (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- LEGO® Building Challenge (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Feature Films – Lincoln (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood)
- Family Craft Time/Tiempo de Manualidad Familiar (Palatine Public Library – Rand Road Branch) – Registration required
- Bayou Bash (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Angry Birds Live (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood) – Registration required
- Fun for All: Board Games (Aurora Public Library – West Branch)
- Sweet Treat Storytime – Valentines Day (Franklin Park Public Library)
- Pokémon Club (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Brick Builders (Nichols Library, Naperville)
- Noche de la Familia (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
February 18
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Book Blast (St. Charles Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Small Serendipity (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Play and Learn (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch)
- African Folktales (Des Plaines Public Library)
- Puzzle Race (Elmwood Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Bingo (Hanover Park Branch, Schaumburg Township District Library) – Registration preferred
- Hugs and Snuggles – Family Story Night (Downers Grove Public Library) – Registration required
February 19
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Wee Wonders (Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Free Zone (Des Plaines Public Library)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago)
- Bedazzled Art of Mickalene Thomas (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook) – Registration required
- LEGO Club (St. Charles Public Library)
- LEGO Mania (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch) – Registration required
- Wednesday Fun Night (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Noche de Lotería (Elmwood Park Public Library)
February 20
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Chick-fil-A Storytime (Bolingbrook)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Nature’s Art Box (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Fandom Club (North Riverside Public Library)
- Fandom Crafts: Roblox (Wheaton Public Library)
- The Art of Faith Ringgold (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Video Game Club (95th Street Library, Naperville) – Registration required
- Family STEAM Night (Wood Dale Public Library) – Registration required
- Ramadan Celebration (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Black History Month Story and Crafts (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Evening Movie Showing: Eight Below (Hanover Park Branch, Schaumburg Township District Library)
- “Whiz Kids” Game Show Extravaganza (Mount Prospect Public Library) – Registration required
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February 21
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Drop In Crafts (Rolling Meadows Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Spanish Bilingual Storytime (La Grange Public Library)
- Nature Storytime (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Trucks, Trucks, Trucks (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Homeschool Hangout (Lemont Public Library)
- STEAMagination (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Reptile Rodeo (North Riverside Public Library)
- Favorite Character’s Club: Bad Kitty (St. Charles Public Library)
- Nailed It! Family Craft Night (Lemont) – Registration required
- Get Your Game On (Brookfield Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (Nichols Library, Naperville)
February 22
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- STEM Stations (Westmont Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Animal Meet and Greet (Batavia Public Library)
- Walk and Talk: Black History Month Celebration (LaBagh Woods, Chicago)
- Bookmobile Stop: Promenade Mall (Bolingbrook)
- Sap’s Rising (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook) – Registration required
- Circle Time with the Park District (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- FanFest (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Sunny Side UP Concert with Wendy and D.B. (La Grange Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Chinese Storytime (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Sensory Saturday (Wood Dale Public Library)
- Puzzle Exchange (St. Charles Public Library)
- Myth and Magic: Storytelling with Kelly Campos (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Black History Month Collaboration Hike (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs) – Registration required
- Freedom Songs: The Music of Black History (La Grange Public Library)
- સ્ટોરી એક્સપ્લોરર્સ / Gujarati Bilingual Story Explorers (Schaumburg Township District Library)
February 23
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Sap’s Rising (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook) – Registration required
- Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
- Loose Parts Play (St. Charles Public Library)
- Girl Power Songs: A Children’s Show About Black Women Who Changed the World (Chicago)
- Trading Card Club (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Rocket to the Moon with Mae Jemison (Woodridge Public Library) – Registration required
February 24
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Toddler Open Play (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Brick Builders (La Grange Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Family Bingo Nights (Lemont Public Library) – Registration required
- Noche de la Familia (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Families Explore: Music (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
February 25
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Snowshoeing (Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, Chicago)
- Play and Learn (Mount Prospect Public Library – South Branch)
- Winter Family Fun in the Neighborhood (Glen Ellyn)
- Fandom Fun – Marvel Universe (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Pokémon Trainers’ Club (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Family Lotería (Berwyn Public Library) – Registration required
- Family LEGO Club (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
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February 26
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- Ukrainian Storytime (Downers Grove Public Library)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Northern Lights (Rolling Meadows Library)
- Storytime at Three Stories Bookstore and More (Lemont)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago)
- Zumba for Kids (Brookfield Public Library) – Registration required
- Scrabble, Scattergories, and More (Hanover Park Branch, Schaumburg Township District Library)
- LEGO Club (St. Charles Public Library)
- Polski Dwujezyczny Storytime: Polish Bilingual Storytime (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Wednesday Fun Night (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Wings of Fire Fan Fest (Palatine Public Library)
February 27
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Storytime at Wholey Granoly (Bolingbrook)
- Chat and Play Cafe (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Developmental Playgroup (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- ZAP! Winter Storytime with the Zoo (North Riverside Public Library) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Half Day of School! Build with Big Blue Blocks (St. Charles Public Library)
- Dinosaur Escape Room (Hanover Park Branch, Schaumburg Township District Library) – Register in advance
- Pokémon Party (Prospect Heights Public Library) – Registration required
- Family Arts and Crafts Night (Wood Dale Public Library)
February 28
- Penguin Watch Party (St. Charles Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- T-Rexplorers Family Program (Wheaton Public Library)
- Language Labs Presents Language Story Time – Mandarin (Clarendon Hills Public Library) – Registration required
- Family Feature – Despicable Me 4 (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Bilingual Storytime (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) – Registration required
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Art Institute of Chicago)
- Kindness Kids Yoga (Glen Ellyn Public Library) – Registration required
- Black History Month Art Exploration (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Read – A – Palooza (North Riverside Public Library)
- Stories and Snacks (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Indoor Movie Night: Despicable Me 4 (Darien) – Registration required
- Pop Night (Hanover Park’s Version) (Hanover Park)
- Movies in the Corner (Des Plaines Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (Nichols Library, Naperville)
- Chamber Concert (Elmhurst Public Library) – Registration required
Free February Holiday Fun
There’s a lot to celebrate in February! We have lists for Valentine’s Day Fun and ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year. Each list includes official events, as well as ideas for at-home fun.
Visiting Your Local Library is Always Free
Almost all library events are free! Check out a new book, movie, or even board games! Our handy list of the 10 best libraries in the suburbs gives you a look at some of our readers’ favorites.
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Free February Fun in the Great Outdoors
Outdoor ice rinks are scattered all over the suburbs. Most outdoor ice rinks are free and offer no shortage of fun! (If you don’t own skates, rental fees may apply.) Check out our round-ups of Ice Rinks in the Western Suburbs for ideas.
February almost always sees a few good snow days. When that is the case, make sure you get out there and hit the Sledding Hills in the Western Suburbs.
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Most nature centers in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County offer free snowshoe rentals! Here’s our list of other great places for snowshoe rentals if you don’t mind spending a small fee for rentals.
Bring the great outdoors indoors! Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, Elmhurst’s Wilder Park Conservatory, and Oak Park Conservatory are all free.
Free February Fun at Nature Centers
Almost all of the nature centers are free, but February is a great time to visit in particular because you can enjoy nature without braving the elements. We especially love these visits with toddlers, as there’s plenty to see without tiring out little legs.
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Free February Fun at Local Museums
Many local museums are offering free days in February, so check out our list of 2025 Museum Free Days for easy planning.
Free Visits to the Zoo
Brave the elements, warm up at indoor exhibits, and enjoy a day at our favorite zoos. Lincoln Park Zoo and Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora are always free. Brookfield Zoo has quite a few free days scheduled in February 2025. Cosley Zoo in Wheaton is free for children, Wheaton residents, and members; adults visitors will pay a small fee.
Other Free Things to Do in February
Your time and attention are free, but they can be worth so much to others! Give back during this season of love by volunteering with your kids at one of these amazing local organizations.
Dine out at a local restaurant offering Kids Eat Free options. While these deals usually require that an adult meal is purchased, you’ll certainly notice a smaller tab when you visit on Kids Eat Free nights.
Check out our Best Winter Activities for more ideas to help your family enjoy the winter months.