Let’s face it: December is not a budget-friendly month! Holiday celebrations, gifts, and family get-togethers can certainly add up quickly. That’s why we’ve gathered over 100 free things to do with kids in January. You and your kids can explore museums, watch movies, or play outdoors, all without spending a penny. So give your bank account the refresh it needs with these events and activities for free January fun. Bookmark this list for daily ideas!
Free January 2023 Fun for Kids in Chicagoland
Events may change, and some require prior registration. Please check directly with the hosting organization before you make plans!
January 1
January 2
- Wild Card – New Year Party in La Grange Park (registration required)
- Family Game Night at 95th Street Library in Naperville
- $1 Movie Mondays at Paramount Theater in Aurora
January 3
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day in Chicago
- Interactive Movie: Lightyear at Fountaindale Library in Bolingbrook
- Winter Break Movie Marathon at Fountaindale Library in Bolingbrook
January 4
- Open Nature Play Day at Day Ryan Woods in Chicago
- Tots Trivia Walk at Bemis Woods in Westchester
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Winter Movie and Craft at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Kid’s Movie Afternoon at La Grange Public Library
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days in Chicago
January 5
- Nature Discovery Days at Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville
- IKEA Storytime in Bolingbrook
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- WonderKids at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville (registration required)
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Flurries N Fun in Roselle
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day in Chicago
January 6
- Nature Discovery Days at Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville
- Elmhurst Art Museum Free Day
- Roving Naturalists Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Real-Life Among Us at La Grange Public Library
- Snowy BINGO at Woodridge Public Library (registration required)
January 7
- Nature Discovery Days at Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville
- Home Depot Workshop at your local stores
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Pinecone Suet Feeders at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs (registration required)
- Winter Reptiles and Amphibians Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest (registration required)
- Bonne Année: A New Year Celebration! at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville (registration required)
- Open Board Gaming at Brookfield Public Library
January 8
- Cold Weather Crafting at Swallow Cliff Woods in Palos Hills
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Sunday Makebreak at Michaels Craft Stores
January 9
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- $1 Movie Mondays at Paramount Theater in Aurora
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
January 10
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Swedish American Museum Free Days in Chicago
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day in Chicago
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
January 11
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Open Nature Play Day at Dan Ryan Woods in Chicago
- Wee Wonders at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland (registration required)
- Story Time at Creek Bend Nature Center in St. Charles
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Storytime Around the World at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Interactive Storytelling Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. at Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
January 12
- Storytime at the Historical Museum in Bolingbrook
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Firefly Theatre Presents Spark’s Snow Day at Clarendon Hills Public Library (registration required)
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day in Chicago
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (registration required)
January 13
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Animal Tracks Hike at James S. Boan Woods in Bolingbrook
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (registration required)
January 14
- Naperville Plays at DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville
- Nature Discovery Days at Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville
- School-Age Social Hour Nichols Library in Naperville
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Tiny Toes Music at La Grange Public Library (registration required)
- Frozen Fest in Downtown Glen Ellyn
- MLK Service Day Celebration at Rolling Knolls in Elgin
- Winter Wonderland Nature Play Days at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Meet Elsa from Frozen at Woodridge Public Library
- Family Day | Inspire at Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago
- Origami Open House at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (registration required)
January 15
- Cocoa or Joe Hike at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook (registration required)
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (registration required)
- Sunday Makebreak at Michaels Craft Stores
January 16
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day at Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- MLK Jr. Day of Service at Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn (registration required)
- MLK Day of Service at various locations with Forest Preserve District of Cook County
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative Day at Chicago History Museum
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Movie Matinee – The Bad Guys at Clarendon Hills Public Library
- Free Admission Day for Illinois Residents at Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe (registration required)
- Free Admission for Illinois Residents at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (registration required)
January 17
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day in Chicago
- Nature Storytime with The Morton Arboretum at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Ninja Warrior Training at Nichols Library in Naperville
January 18
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Open Nature Play Day at Dan Ryan Woods in Chicago
- Winnie-the-Pooh Day at Clarendon Hills Public Library
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days in Chicago
- Pajama Storytime at La Grange Public Library (registration required)
January 19
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- IKEA Storytime in Bolingbrook
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- The Snow Show at the La Grange Public Library
- Chinese New Year Celebration at the Woodridge Public Library
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day in Chicago
January 20
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
January 21
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Friends Used Book Sale at the Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Lowe’s Kids Workshops at your local store
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Preschool Fair at the Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien
- Family Storytime and Craft at the La Grange Public Library (registration required)
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- Spark’s Snow Day at Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Signs of the Animals Walk at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs
- Family Day: Eleanor King Hookham at Elmhurst Art Museum
- Squirrel at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook (registration required)
- Track and Scat Hike at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville (registration required)
- Snow Snake Workshop at Schiller Woods in Chicago
- Celebrate Chinese New Year at Elmhurst Public Library
- After Hours Cocoa and Cozy Crafts at Downers Grove Public Library
January 22
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Ice Suncatcher Craft and Walk at Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest
- Sunday Makebreak at Michaels Craft Stores
January 23
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Mid-Kids Self Defense Workshop at Indian Prairie Public Library in Darien
January 24
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day in Chicago
- DuPage Children’s Museum Presents Sound All Around at Clarendon Hills Public Library
January 25
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Open Nature Play Day at Dan Ryan Woods in Chicago)
- Fluoride Day at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville (registration required)
- Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days in Chicago
- Storytime Around the World at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Author Visit – Katherine Marsh at Anderson’s Bookshop in Downers Grove
- Wildlife Among You at La Grange Park Public Library
January 26
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Storytime at Wholey Granoly in Bolingbrook
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Family Lego Night at Clarendon Hills Public Library
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Donation Day in Chicago
January 27
- Lucky Lunar New Year at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Wild Child at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
January 28
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Crafting a la Cache in Romeoville (registration required)
- Prehistoric Play Day at Rolling Knolls in Elgin
- Winter Wonderland Nature Play Days at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago
- All About Fire at Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest
- Nature Center Open House at Lakeview Nature Center in Oakbrook Terrace
- International LEGO Day at Elmhurst Public Library
January 29
- National Puzzle Day at Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Spring Festival Lantern Riddles at Naperville Public Libraries
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Sunday Makebreak at Michaels Craft Stores
- Pinewood Derby Workshop at La Grange Public Library
January 30
- National Puzzle Day at Clarendon Hills Public Library
- Spring Festival Lantern Riddles at Naperville Public Libraries
- Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
January 31
- Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day in Chicago
- Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day
- Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day
- Museum of Contemporary Art Free Day in Chicago
More Ideas of Free Things to Do with Kids in January
Chicagoland Zoos with Free Admission
Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago)
Always free admission to all visitors.
Phillips Park Zoo (Aurora)
Phillips Park Zoo is also always free to visitors. There is a huge playground area next to the zoo to add to your visit.
Cosley Zoo (Wheaton)
If you live in Wheaton, Cosley is always free with your park district ID! Kids 17 and under are free, too; non-resident adults pay $7, or $6 for ages 55+.
Local Libraries
Libraries are always a great place for free local fun. Grab a few new titles, check out their storytimes and regular programming, or log into countless streaming services for home entertainment. Our handy list of Libraries in the Western Suburbs gives you a sneak peek into the different kids’ areas to check out, too.
Free Outdoor Fun
While some locations charge admission, there are many places that offer free ice skating. Check out our roundup of indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks.
Another exciting outdoor activity that is free of charge? Sledding! Check out all the sledding hills in the Western suburbs for a round-up of local hills and details about what you can expect.
Stretch your legs and brains at these parks with Storybook Walks in the western suburbs.
Various Holiday Walks will also continue into January, and some lights displays do, too. While most of the Holiday Lights turn off after Christmas or the start of the new year, some continue on through the first week of January. For example, Nights of Lights in Adams Park in Wheaton runs until January 9, 2023, and Winter Lights at Central Park in Oak Brook will continue until January 8, 2023.
Free Indoor Fun
The Chicago-area is full of incredible museums, many of which offer free days throughout the year. Find all the details about Museum Free Days happening in January.
Nearly all of the nature centers in our area are free. Pop in to learn more about native animals, or check out some of the free events listed below.
Bring the outdoors indoors. Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, Elmhurst’s Wilder Park Conservatory, and Oak Park Conservatory are all free.
Many families find time to give back during the holiday season, but the needs in our communities don’t end after the new year. Use our Volunteering Guide to find a way to make an impact with your family.
While your entire bill won’t be free, these Kids Eat Free deals will certainly minimize your restaurant tab.
You can also find lots of cozy indoor activities for the winter months in our Winter Activities Guide!
