It’s the final stretch of winter, and I’ll be honest, February is the time of the season where I start running out of ideas. Our usual boredom-busters or winter-friendly activities have all been done, and we’re looking for some inspiration. This list gives you ideas for mixing up your usual routine and trying something new, all without the worry of spending money. All of these events are free! Find details about free days at museums, winter festivals and other free February fun in our guide below.
Don’t forget to check our February calendar for more fun-filled activities, too.
Free February 2022 Fun in Chicagoland
February 2022 Free Winter Events
Farm Life in Winter (Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago)
Thursdays – Mondays in February | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Open Nature Play Day (Dan Ryan Woods, Chicago)
Wednesdays in February | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Take and Make Fridays (Brookfield Public Library)
Fridays in February | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Winter Animal Olympics (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest)
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in February | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday Makebreak (Michael’s Craft Stores)
Sundays in February | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Mitten Blizzard (Berwyn)
February 2, 2022, 9:00am – 8:00pm
Groundhog Day Celebration (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest)
February 2, 2022 | 10:30am – 11:30am
Clifford the Big Red Dog Party (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
February 4, 2022 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival
February 4 – 6, 2022 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
25th Anniversary Kickoff (Elmhurst Art Museum)
February 4, 2022 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
First Fridays (Downtown Aurora)
February 4, 2022 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Ice Art Walk and Cocoa Crawl (Wheaton)
February 5, 2022 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
There is a fee for cocoa mugs, but walking through the art displays is free.
Family Hike with a Naturalist (Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naperville)
February 5, 2022 | 10:00am – 11:30am
Legotastic Saturday (Brookfield Public Library)
February 5, 2022 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Ice-A-Palooza (Wheaton)
February 5, 2022 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Greg the Groundhog and Friends (Willow Springs)
February 5, 2022 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Pokémon Go Community Day Meetup (Downers Grove)
February 5, 2022 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Victorian Valentines (Glen Ellyn Historical Society)
February 5, 2022 | 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Cabin Fever Family Fun (Woodridge)
February 6, 2022, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Family Game Night (Naperville Public Library)
February 7, 2022 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Story Time at Creek Bend Nature Center (St. Charles)
February 9, 2022 | 10:30am – 11:30am
FermiLab Family Open House (Virtual Programming)
February 9 – 13, 2022 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Winter Scavenger Hunt (LaBagh Woods, Chicago)
February 9, 2022 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Volunteer Restoration Workday (Glen Ellyn Park District)
February 12, 2022 | 9:00am – 11:00am
Winter Exploration Day (Thatcher Woods, River Forest)
February 12, 2022 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Victorian Valentines (Glen Ellyn Historical Society)
February 12, 2022 | 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Happy February Birthday Storytime (Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien)
February 13, 2022 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Miss Jamie Mondays Interactive Musical Series (Fox Valley Mall, Aurora)
February 14, 2022 | 10:30am – 11:15am
Teddy Bear Scavenger Hunt (Berwyn)
February 17, 2022 | 9:00am – 8:00pm
Mobile Museum of Tolerance (La Grange Park)
February 17 – 18, 2022 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Thursday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm on Friday
Museum Trek (The Museums at Lisle Station Park)
February 19, 2022 | 10:00am – 11:30am
Winterfest (Bartlett Nature Center)
February 19, 2022 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Take It Tuesday (Clarendon Hills Public Library)
February 22, 2022 | 10:00am – 8:00pm
Seasonal Pop Up (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs)
February 26, 2022 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Winter Dog Days Dog Walk (Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest)
February 26, 2022 | 10:30am – 11:30am
Nature Center Open House (Oakbrook Terrace)
February 26, 2022 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Craft Exchange (Downers Grove Public Library)
February 26, 2022 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
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! Story times are both in-person and virtual at this time, and many libraries are offering craft and activity kits to-go. Check out a new book, movie, or even board games!
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.
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. As COVID-19 mitigation measures are frequently changing, check their websites for the most up-to-date information about visiting hours.
- Bartlett Nature Center
- Red Oaks Nature Center (Batavia)
- Hidden Oaks Conservation Area (Bolingbrook)
- Lyman Woods Nature Center (Downers Grove)
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center (Glen Ellyn) (as of January 15, 2022, the indoor visitors center remains closed to visitors)
- 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 15, 2022, 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 School House 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 2022 Museum Free Days for easy planning. As COVID-19 mitigation measures are frequently changing, check their websites for the most up-to-date information about visiting hours.
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. As of January 15, 2022, Brookfield Zoo hasn’t announced any free days in 2022, but check their website for the most up-to-date information. 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 an adult meal be purchased, you’ll certainly notice a smaller tab when you visit on Kids Eat Free nights.
Check out our indoor activities page for more ideas to help your family enjoy the winter months.
