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 2024, 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!
This article is sponsored by Corsalus Financial.
Corsalus Financial
Corsalus Financial
1220 Kensington Rd, Suite 200C
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630) 320-5055
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Jason Dobrzynski, CFP®, CMFC® , Maralynn Kearney, MBA, and Lori Galbraith from Corsalus Financial take a whole-family approach to financial planning and they are great people to talk with about your family’s goals.
They are knowledgable, approachable, and welcome your questions. So don’t hesitate to reach out to ask their advice, get an overview of how they can help your family plan for the future, or get ideas for how manage your money now.
Free February 2024 Fun in Chicagoland
Events may change, and some require prior registration. Please check directly with the hosting organization before you make plans!
February 1
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Story Jam (Wheaton Public Library)
- Imagination Playground (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Developmental Playgroup (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Cuentos en Español (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Merry Tutors (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Prehistoric Play Day (Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center, Chicago)
- Origami Club, Juniors (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Fun for All: Board Games (West Branch Library, Aurora)
- Preschool Preview (Palatine)
February 2
- Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downers Grove)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Groundhog Day Craft (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
- Black Celebration Storytime (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Twin Leaf Tales (Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, St. Charles) (register in advance)
- Ninja Storytime (Brookfield Public Library) (register in advance)
- Preschool Play and Learn – Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Woodridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Friday Fun Day (Wood Dale Public Library)
- Preschool Conversation Hour (Elmwood Park Public Library)
- Homeschool Hangout (Wheaton Public Library)
- Coding Club (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- First Friday: Learn Latin Dances (Geneva Public Library)
- First Friday: Love Songs (Santori Library, Aurora)
February 3
- Home Depot Workshop (check your local store)
- Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library)
- FOL Children’s Winter Book Sale (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Chicago Children’s Museum Play for All (Chicago)
- Legotastic Saturday (Brookfield Public Library)
- Adaptive Storytime (Schaumburg District Township Library)
- Alcott Center Preschool Open House (Buffalo Grove)
- Chinese New Year Celebration (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Snowshoeing (Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, Chicago)
- The Amazing Puzzle Race (Downers Grove Public Library) (register in advance)
- Ice-A-Palooza (Wheaton)
- Dual Language Storytime: Telugu (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- DuPage County Historial Mansion’s Victorian Valentines (Wheaton)
- Babysitting Workshop (Geneva Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Karaoke/Karaoke para la Familia (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Winter Fest (Lombard)
February 4
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Lunar New Year (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Sensory-Friendly Hour (Park Ridge Public Library)
- FOL Children’s Winter Book Sale (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- LEGO Club (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
- Groundhog Day (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Family Movie (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Michael’s Sunday Makebreak (check your local store)
- Life Cycles STEMshop with SciTech (Geneva Public Library) (register in advance)
- Spelling Bee (Eola Road Branch – Aurora Public Library) (register in advance)
February 5
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Drop-In Gaming Days (Elmwood Park Public Library)
- Family Cooking Night (La Grange Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Game Night (95th Street Library, Naperville)
February 6
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Soloist in the Stacks: Cello (Schaumburg District Township Library)
- Lunar New Year Storytime (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Period Postive Party (Santori Library, Aurora)
February 7
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Open Nature Play Day (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Wee Wanderer Wednesdays (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Bilingual Storytime and Play – Cuento bilingue y juego (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Poetry Trail: Black History Month (Bemis Woods, Westchester)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Homeschool Hangout (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Studio 60056: Lunar New Year Edition (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Tall Tales and Silly Songs (La Grange Public Library)
- Lego Free Build (North Riverside Public Library)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago)
- Kids Read: The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith (Elmwood Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Black Superhero Showcase (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Weekday Intermission (St. Charles Public Library)
- Valentine’s Day Card Decorating Party (Bensenville Community Public Library)
- Arlington Ridge Center Preschool Open House (Arlington Heights)
February 8
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Storytime at the Museum (Bolingbrook Historical Museum)
- Family Card Crafting (Westmont Public Library)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Homeschool Hangout (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Bilingual Storytime (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Pirate BINGO (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Miss Quinces Party (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library) (register in advance)
- Be My Valentine Party (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Arlington Ridge Center Preschool Open House (Arlington Heights)
February 9
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Chicago Botanic Garden Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe) (register in advance)
- Ninja Storytime (North Riverside Public Library) (register in advance)
- Nature Storytime (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Winter Explorers: Toddler Style (Woodridge Public Library)
- Chinese Storytime (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Lunar New Year with Jewel-Osco (Chicago)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Friday Fun Day (Wood Dale Public Library)
- バイリンガルお話し探検家 / Japenese Bilingual Story Explorers (Schaumburg Township District Library) (register in advance)
- Stories and Snacks (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Candy Taste Test (Park Ridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Craft Fridays (Indian Trails Public Library, Prospect Heights)
- Valentine’s Day BINGO (Woodridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- DePaul 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration (Chicago) (register in advance)
February 10
- Lowe’s Kids Workshops (check your local store) (register in advance)
- Resting Reptiles (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Heart Storycraft (Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien) (register in advance)
- One Book, One Community Kickoff (Geneva Public Library)
- Lunar New Year (Elmwood Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Winter Exploration Day (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
- Super Saturday (Mount Prospect Public Library) (register in advance)
- Spark’s Snow Day (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Lego Club (Maywood Public Library) (register in advance)
- Museum of Contemporary Art’s Family Day: Love Is Love (Chicago)
- Winter Wonderland (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) (register in advance)
- EncryptHer (Brookfield Public Library) (register in advance)
- The Boxcar Children Turns 100 (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
- Snowshoe Walk (Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Rosemont)
- Owls of Trailside (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest) (register in advance)
- Family Chess Club (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Celebrate the New Lunar Year (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Pokemon Fun (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center) (register in advance)
- Super Bowl/Superb Owl (Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland)
February 11
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Superb Owl Party (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Michaels Sunday Makebreak (check your local store)
- Aurora Lamplighters: Love Songs (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Concert: Winter Interlude (Downers Grove Public Library) (register in advance)
- The Bad Guys Escape Room (Schaumburg Township District Library) (register in advance)
- Bone Appétit (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest)
February 12
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Sensory-Friendly Storytime (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Studio 60056: Valentines Day (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Valentine Workshop (La Grange Public Library)
- Lego Challenge (Bellwood Public Library)
- Dual Language Storytime: Russian (Nichols Library, Naperville)
- Dual Language Storytime: Arabic (Nichols Library, Naperville)
February 13
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library) (register in advance)
- Swedish American Museum Free Days (Chicago)
- Homeschool Hangout (St. Charles Public Library)
- Barbie and Ken- Library Fun (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Teatime with No Toes (Bearded Dragon) (Elmwood Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Schaumburg Park District’s Preschool Open House (Schaumburg)
- Polish Storytime (Wood Dale Public Library) (register in advance)
February 14
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Open Nature Play Day (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Wee Wonders (Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland) (register in advance)
- Bilingual Storytime and Play – Cuento bilingue y juego (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- Stories at the Nature Center (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, St. Charles)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Afternoon Movie Showing (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Family Trivia Nite (Franklin Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Weekday Intermission (St. Charles Public Library)
- Polish Storytime: Valentine’s Day (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Valentine’s Day Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library) (register in advance)
February 15
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Chick-fil-A Storytime (Bolingbrook)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- In the Neighborhood: Green Screen (Geneva Public Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Black Superhero Showcase (Naperville Public Library)
- Merry Tutors (Santori Library, Aurora)
- FrogLady Presents Herpetology Fun (Clarendon Hills Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Lego Night (Wheaton Public Library)
- Winter Fire Building Workshop (Oak Forest) (register in advance)
- Animal Investigators: Wombats and Platypuses (Mount Prospect Public Library)
February 16
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Bluey Drop-in Fun (Elmhurst Public Library)
- Color Me Happy (Downers Grove Public Library)
- History Exploration (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook) (register in advance)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Party in the Park (Berens Park, Elmhurst)
- Murder Mystery Party: Leap Year Edition (Schaumburg Township District Library)
- Coding Club (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Lunar New Year Party (North Riverside Public Library) (register in advance)
- Glow Crazy Family Dance Party (Woodridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- See a Juggler, Be a Juggler! (Helen Plum Library, Lombard) (register in advance)
February 17
- Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library)
- Super Saturday: North Central O Gaugers Model Train Run (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
- Noon Lions Club Free Vision Screening (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Nature Discovery Days (Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naperville)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Arabic Storytime with The Language Labs (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- STEM Stations (Westmont Public Library)
- Supported Storytime (Geneva Public Library)
- Celebration of Lunar New Year (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Baby Prom (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration (Uptown, Chicago)
- Bilingual Mandarin Storytime (Palatine Public Library) (register in advance)
- Mark Anderson Cartooning (Wheaton Public Library) (register in advance)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Dudes and Donuts (Lemont Public Library) (register in advance)
- Craft Fair (St. Charles Public Library)
- Winterfest (Bartlett)
- Bilingual Storytime – 한국어와 영어로 하는 스토리타임 (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Movie Afternoon (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Resident Raptors (Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs) (register in advance)
- Sensory Friendly Movie (Wheaton Public Library)
- Blues 101: History and Performance (Glen Ellyn Public Library)
- Bruno’s Best Birthday with Megan Deliberto (Lemont Public Library) (register in advance)
- Owl Babies and Other Nocturnal Creatures (Geneva Public Library)
February 18
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Rhea Lana’s of Fox Valley Resale (Naperville)
- Amazing Winter Residents (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Great Backyard Bird Count (Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, St. Charles)
- Sunday Funday Game Day (Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville) (register in advance)
- CSI: Critter Scene Investigation (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Chinatown, Chicago)
- Michaels Sunday Makebreak (check your local store)
- Community Celebrates (Downers Grove Public Library)
February 19
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Rhea Lana’s of Fox Valley Resale (Naperville)
- Nature Discovery Days (Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naperville)
- Winter Wonderland (Geneva Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Chicago Botanic Garden’s Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents (Glencoe)
- The Pigeon Wants to Play (Lemont Public Library)
- Chicago History Museum’s Family Event: Presidents’ Day (Chicago)
- The Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Nature Center Open House (Lake View Nature Center, Oakbrook Terrace)
- Animal Encounters (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Superhero Science with Kid President (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- T-Rexplorers (Wood Dale Public Library) (register in advance)
- Celebrating Black Superheroes (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Monday Afternoon Movie: Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Under the Sea Fun (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Drop-In Gaming Days (Elmwood Park Public Library)
- Pokémon Club (95th Street Library, Naperville)
February 20
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Rhea Lana’s of Fox Valley Resale (Naperville)
- Small Serendipity (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Evening Movie: Into the Spider-Verse (Santori Library, Aurora)
- National Muffin Day Storytime (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
February 21
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Rhea Lana’s of Fox Valley Resale (Naperville)
- Open Nature Play Day (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Bilingual Storytime and Play – Cuento bilingue y juego (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Plum Games: Super Smash Bros Tournament (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Craftopia (Glen Ellyn Public Library) (register in advance)
- Weekday Intermission (St. Charles Public Library)
- POLSKI DWUJĘZYCZNY STORYTIME: POLISH BILINGUAL STORYTIME (Schaumburg Township District Library) (register in advance)
- Pajama Storytime (La Grange Public Library) (register in advance)
February 22
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Rhea Lana’s of Fox Valley Resale (Naperville)
- Storytime at Wholey Granoly (Bolingbrook) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Nature’s Art Box (Little Red School House, Willow Springs) (register in advance)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Art Lab (Westmont Public Library)
- Intergenerational Yahtzee (Lemont Public Library) (register in advance)
- Dual Language Storytime: Hindi (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Black Superhero Showcase (Naperville Public Library)
- Elephant and Piggie Party (Brookfield Public Library) (register in advance)
February 23
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Black Inventors Scavenger Hunt (Naper Boulevard Library, Naperville)
- Pop-in Play: Tell a Story (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Bilingual Storytime: Spanish, Hora de cuentos bilingüe (Park Ridge Public Library)
- Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library) (register in advance)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Pinkalicious Tea Party (Wood Dale Public Library) (register in advance)
- STEAM Fun (St. Charles Public Library)
- Simple Science: Electricity (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Indoor Movie Night (Darien Park District) (register in advance)
- Super Simple Origami (Woodridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- Eras Celebration (Elmhurst Public Library)
- Family LEGO Club (Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling)
February 24
- Black Excellence Scavenger Hunt (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Family Yoga Storytime (Park Ridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- Go Nuts for Donuts Storytime (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- Winter Pop-Up Fun (Cherry Hill Woods, Palos Park)
- Renovation Refresh Open House (Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, St. Charles)
- Sap’s Rising (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook) (register in advance)
- Friends of the Library Book Sale (Franklin Park Public Library)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Winter Wonderland (Chicago)
- FanFest (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- Lake View Nature Center Open House (Oakbrook Terrace)
- Chinese Storytime (95th Street Library, Naperville)
- Seed Share with Sustain DuPage (Wheaton Public Library)
- Black History Month Celebration (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington) (register in advance)
- Snowshoe Walk (Camp Reinberg, Palatine) (register in advance)
- Block Party (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Celebrating Black History Month Through Storytelling (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library) (register in advance)
- Sensory Storytime (Palatine Public Library) (register in advance)
- Rubik’s Cube Challenge (Woodridge Public Library) (register in advance)
- Retro Hour (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
February 25
- Toddler Open Play (Schiller Park Public Library)
- Community Recreation Center Preschool Open House (Wheeling)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Garfield Park Conservatory’s Budding Botanists (Chicago)
- Michaels Sunday Makebreak (check your local store)
February 26
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Spanish Language Storytime (Westmont Public Library)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Nature Telling (Wheaton Public Library) (register in advance)
- Animal Investigators: Wombats and Platypuses (Mount Prospect Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Bingo Nights (Lemont Public Library) (register in advance)
February 27
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day (Chicago)
- Bilingual Storytime: Spanish (Wheaton Public Library)
- Wildlife Connections (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
- Plum Pokémon League (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
February 28
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Open Nature Play Day (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Bilingual Storytime and Play – Cuento bilingue y juego (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Black History Month Story Trails (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
- Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day (Oak Brook)
- DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days (Chicago)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days (Chicago) (register in advance)
- Weekday Intermission (St. Charles Public Library)
- Ukrainian Storytime: Winter Animals (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Movie Screening: Big Fat Liar (Hanover Park)
February 29
- Leap Day Crafts (Downers Grove Public Library)
- Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) (register in advance)
- MSI Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield)
- Crafty Kids (Palatine Public Library)
- Happy Leap Day (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day (Chicago)
- Art Institute of Chicago Free Admission for Illinois Residents (Chicago)
- OBOC Leap Day Festival (Geneva Public Library)
- Merry Tutors (Santori Library, Aurora)
- Fancy Pants Dance Party (St. Charles Public Library)
- Leap Day, Leap Frog (Wheaton Public Library)
- Leap Year Fun (Eola Road Branch, Aurora Public Library)
- Leap Day Madness (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
- Leap Day Party (Naperville Public Library)
- LEGO Club (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
- District 23 Family Library Night (Prospect Heights Public Library) (register in advance)
- Family Music: Stories and Songs of African People (Elmwood Park Public Library)
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 Libraries in the Western Suburbs gives you a look at some of our readers’ favorites.
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.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center offers 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 usually free, but February is a great time to visit in particular because you can enjoy nature without braving the elements.
- Bartlett Nature Center
- Red Oaks Nature Center (Batavia)
- Hidden Oaks Nature Center (Bolingbrook)
- Lyman Woods Nature Center (Downers Grove)
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center (Glen Ellyn) (as of January 22, 2024, the indoor visitors center and access to trails from Park Boulevard are closed to visitors while a new center is being constructed)
- Springbrook Nature Center (Itasca)
- Pilcher Park Nature Center (Joliet)
- Knoch Knolls Nature Center (Naperville)
- Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center (Oak Brook)
- Lake View Nature Center (Oakbrook Terrace) (as of January 22, 2024, open for rentals and programming only)
- Lake Katherine Nature Center (Palos Heights)
- Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm (Schaumburg)
- Creek Bend Nature Center (St. Charles)
- Hickory Knolls Discovery Center (St. Charles)
- Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center (Willow Springs)
Free February Fun at Local Museums
Many local museums are offering free days in February, so check out our list of 2024 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 2024. 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 Our Area
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.