west chicago

2026 Spring Break Camps, Activities, and Events

Spring break camps are ready for sign-ups! Our guide to all things spring break (including camps, activities, and other fun events) includes fun all over the western and northwestern suburbs.…

125+ Easter Egg Hunts for Kids, Teens, Adults (and Even Dogs!)

Easter egg hunts for kids are everywhere in the western suburbs, so we’ve rounded up great spots for you to race around and gather all the eggs you can. The…

600+ Free Things to Do in February: Don’t Miss These ‘Frugal February’ Gems Close to Home

We kept things budget-friendly in January, so why not keep it going for Frugal February? We’ve gathered over 600 events and activities for free family things to do in February…

100+ Daddy Daughter Dances, Mother Son Night Out, and Other Valentine’s Day Events

Valentine’s Day is filled with opportunities to spread love and kindness to all the people in your lives. Mother Son Nights or Daddy Daughter Dances are special evenings with your…

400+ Free Activities and Events in January 2026: Ideas for Every Day of the Month (Bookmark This One!)

Let’s be honest: 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 hundreds of ideas for free things…

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree and Pre-Cut Lots for a Magical Holiday Tradition

There’s nothing more festive than loading everyone up all decked out in winter gear to cut your own Christmas tree for the holiday season. I love the smell of pine…

various pet pictures with Santa from Kidlist readers

Pet Pictures with Santa 2025: The Season’s Cutest Photo Ops

It doesn’t matter if your pet has been naughty or nice; pet pictures with Santa are too doggone cute to skip. Christmas photos are indeed a tradition for most families,…

Pumpkin Smash Events from Easy Drop-Offs to Catapults, Ladder Drops, and Jack-o-Lantern Races

In the weeks following Halloween, SCARCE coordinates pumpkin and jack-o-lantern collections all around the western suburbs. The locations below will accept your no-longer-needed pumpkins for composting. This keeps your pumpkin…

2025 Trick-or-Treating Hours in the West and Northwest Suburbs

As Halloween approaches, your little pumpkins, fairies, and goblins, are likely anxiously awaiting the best candy night of the year! But what time does trick-or-treating start in your neighborhood? We’ve…

50 Indoor Playgrounds with Age Recommendations, Prices, and Features

An indoor play place can save the day when it’s rainy, chilly, too hot . . . or if everyone is just bouncing off the walls. Chicagoland’s suburbs are bursting…

haunted trails with cute ghost and spider; haunted walks

Find Haunted Trails, Spooky Hayrides, Scary Haunted Houses, and Haunted Boat Rides Across Chicagoland in 2025

There’s a chill in the air . . . and little ghosts and goblins everywhere are on the hunt for a good scare! These haunted trails, haunted hayrides, and haunted…

Fall Farms and Pumpkin Patches Near Chicago: From Classic Fields to Big Attractions

Nothing says fall more than a pumpkin patch, and many of these are so much more than that with attractions, farm stores with fall treats, animals, and rides. There are…