We’re bringing our list of ideas for a day off back in time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Keep reading for day camps and special events to help bridge the day-off gap. You’ll also want to check out Katie’s ideas for honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day with your kids, including books to read together, local events, and virtual resources.
Things to Do When School is Closed in Chicago’s West Suburbs: Updated for MLK Day
Day Camps Offered on Monday, January 17, 2022
There are quite a few day camp opportunities for families that need childcare next Monday. Make sure to check their website as soon as possible, as nearly all require registration, and that’s sure to fill up quickly!
School’s Day Off (Elmhurst)
January 17, 2022 | 7:00am – 6:00pm
Day Off Fun (Addison)
January 17, 2022 | 7:00am – 6:00pm
School Day Off (Lombard)
January 17, 2022 | 7:00am – 6:00pm
All Day Camp (York Center Park District)
January 17, 2022 | 7:30am – 6:00pm
Day-Off Drop-Off (North Riverside)
January 17, 2022 | 8:00am – 3:00pm
School’s Out (Roselle)
January 17, 2022 | 8:30am – 3:30pm, with extended hours available.
ActivKids Days Off Club (Carol Stream)
January 17, 2022 | 9:00am – 4:00pm, with extended hours available.
Day of Fun Camp (Bartlett Nature Center)
January 17, 2022 | 9:00am -3:00pm
More Kid-Friendly Events
MLK Day One-Day Camp (Naperville Area Humane Society)
January 17, 2022 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago)
January 17, 2022 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Reserve tickets online in advance.
Nerf Day (Downers Grove)
January 17, 2022 | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Free Day at The Art Institute of Chicago
January 17, 2022 | 11:00am – 6:00pm
Advance registration required.
Wild World of Wacky Winter Sports (Clarendon Hills)
January 17, 2022 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Brick City (Park District of Oak Park)
January 17, 2022 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Farm Life in Winter (Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago)
January 17, 2022 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Explore Immersive Experiences and Special Exhibits (Various Locations)
January 17, 2022 | all day
Enjoy a Live Theater Performance (Various Locations)
January 17, 2022 | all day
At-Home Activities for Days Off School
Some extra inspiration for fun at home:
- Cook together. If you’re not sure where to start, the PBS website’s Cooking with Kids section has lots of great kid-friendly recipes!
- Break out the board games. Sometimes, I forget about the games we have stockpiled in the closet! If you’re really ambitious, have a tournament and decide on a prize for the winner.
- Shake it off. Turn up the music or break out the instruments for a dance party! If you’ve got older kids, see if you can convince them to teach you a new dance move . . . or turn to YouTube and learn something new together.
- Bring the snow inside. Bring in a few pails of snow and put it in your bathtub, shower, or a plastic bin. Give your kids buckets, shovels, measuring cups, and spoons. They can play until their little fingers are cold! Or, use watercolors with a brush (or a squirt bottle with water and food coloring) to create snow art.
- Create a snowy snack. Annie shared these ideas a few years back, and I think they’re genius. Check them out:
- Annie’s Snow Cone Recipe: “Scoop up some clean, newly fallen snow into bowls. Top with your favorite fruity simple syrup (I just combine some frozen fruit and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved, and fruit is mushy. You can strain it, if you prefer, but my kids don’t mind the fruit).”
- Annie’s Ice Cream Recipe: “Combine a can of sweetened condensed milk, 8 cups of snow, and a teaspoon of vanilla for instant ice cream. Add your favorite toppings for a snow day ice cream sundae. “
- Make an indoor obstacle course. Pillows, cushions, couches, string, “hot lava” patches made with beach towels, and more . . . challenge the kids to get creative!
- Watch a movie. Let’s be real, a little extra screen time can help make a day at home be a bit more pleasant. Build a fort and snuggle up together if you’re able!
- Create something together. Who can build the tallest house of cards? Stack the most Solo cups? Build a sturdy bridge out of Popsicle sticks?
- Write letters or make cards. Brainstorm some people who would love a letter from your family — maybe a family member or far-away friend. Then, work together to create a special letter. Everyone loves getting mail!
More Indoor and Outdoor Activities for Days Off School
Please be sure to look at websites for the most current information as hours may change during days off.
- Check out a children’s museum. There are so many great children’s museums in our area; if you don’t normally get to check them out on a weekday, now’s your chance!
- Hit the library. Libraries don’t just have books anymore! Huge play areas at the library can keep your kids playing while you pick out a new movie and books to check out and watch together. Check out our best library play areas to scope out some new options.
- Try your moves at a local indoor or outdoor ice skating rink.
- Get some fresh air and visit one of our top six forest preserve trails for kids for an outdoor walk. These tend to be more relaxing places to spend a day off than crowded indoor options.
- Enjoy a meal to go. Check out this list of places with specials for kids.
What do you do on a day off school? Let us know in the comments!
