Local libraries take center stage in our guide to things to do with kids this weekend. From seasonal workshops to indoor play, there’s something for kids of all ages—and their grown-ups too. Throw on your cold-weather gear and brave the elements, or head indoors and turn the final weekend of January into family-friendly fun.
This is a big weekend for Valentine’s Day event deadlines—be sure to register now for Daddy/Daughter, Mother/Son, and family celebrations if you’re planning to attend this year.
This weekend planner is sponsored by Downtown Downers Grove and Studebaker Theater.
Ice Festival in Downers Grove
Bundle up and head to Downtown Downers Grove for the annual Ice Festival! Enjoy more than 60 stunning ice sculptures displayed throughout the downtown. Watch live carving demonstrations on Friday, January 30th, from 5:30–7:30 pm at the corner of Main Street and Curtiss, and on Saturday, January 31st, and Sunday, February 1st, from 11 am–3 pm at the Main Street Train Station.
This year’s ice art features include an octopus, kangaroo, shamrock, figure skater, diamond ring, and the return of the fan-favorite Kissing Booth, plus a few fun ice games to discover along the way.
More details will be available at downtowndg.org closer to the event.
Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile
January 29 – February 21, 2026
Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building
410 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
60-minute musical adventure, perfect for ages 3 & Up!
Book ahead discount parking parking fineartsbuilding.com/visit | enormouscrocodilemusical.com/chicago
4 WEEKS ONLY!
Snap up your tickets today for this wickedly funny, 60-minute musical adventure—perfect for ages 3 & Up! At the heart of the musical are eye-catching large-scale puppets, a rich and multi-layered score with great groove, plenty of mischievous audience interaction and a finale that turns into a dance party.
Tickets start at just $26.
Snap up your tickets today!
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Western Suburbs
Please check the details before you go to these events to ensure you know about registration requirements and additional info to maximize your family’s fun. While we do our best to keep the most up-to-date information in our calendar, last minute location or time changes do happen. Want to find “weekend events near me”? We have you covered!
Friday
Join the fun at the Supervillain Party at Helen Plum Library in Lombard or the Library After Dark: Mini-golf at Berwyn Public Library. Register for Woodridge Public Library’s Kids BINGO: K-Pop fun.
Community Partner Playdate (Wheaton Public Library, Wheaton)
January 30, 2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am
Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago History Museum, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Wild Child (Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Registration is required.
Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
ZAP! Storytime with Brookfield Zoo (Riverside Public Library, Riverside)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Registration is required.
ARTstravaganza (Lisle Public Library, Lisle)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Bollywood Babies (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 10:45am
Morning Glories (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 12:30pm
Included in general admission.
Hejsan: Story and Craft (Swedish American Museum, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Free Admission for Illinois Residents (The Art Institute of Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
River Forest Public Library Storytime (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
January 30, 2026 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Included in general admission.
Pete the Cat Day (Three Stories Books, Lemont)
January 30, 2026 | 11:30am – 5:00pm
Game Day Fridays (Maywood Public Library, Maywood)
January 30, 2026 | 3:30pm – 4:30pm
American Girl Doll Adventures (Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glen Ellyn)
January 30, 2026 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Family Game Night (Brookfield Public Library, Brookfield)
January 30, 2026 | 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Supervillain Party (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
January 30, 2026 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Hollywood Hit Flicks (North Riverside Public Library, North Riverside)
January 30, 2026 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downtown Downers Grove)
January 30, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Library After Dark: Mini-golf (Berwyn Public Library, Berwyn)
January 30, 2026 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Registration is encouraged.
Kids BINGO: K-Pop (Woodridge Public Library, Woodridge)
January 30, 2026 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Registration is required.
Saturday
Stop by DuPage Children’s Museum’s Tiny Great Performances or the Morton Arboretum’s Chocolate Weekend which are included in general admission. Elmhurst Public Library’s Puzzle-Palooza and Donuts with Dads at Hinsdale Public Library will be filled with family-friendly fun, too.
Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library, Geneva)
January 31, 2026 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
Chocolate Weekend (The Morton Arboretum, Lisle)
January 31, 2026 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Donuts with Dads (Hinsdale Public Library, Hinsdale)
January 31, 2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am
Paint a Tiny Masterpiece: Family Edition (Westmont Public Library, Westmont)
January 31, 2026 | 9:30am – 11:30am
STEAM Saturdays (Maywood Public Library, Maywood)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Legopalooza Open Lego Play (Riverside Public Library, Riverside)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Valentines for Loved Ones (Oswego Public Library-Montgomery Branch, Montgomery)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Tiny Great Performances (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
January 31, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Included in general admission.
Lego Club (Maywood Public Library, Maywood)
January 31, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downtown Downers Grove)
January 31, 2026 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Puzzle-Palooza (Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst)
January 31, 2026 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Train Saturdays (DuPage County Historical Museum, Wheaton)
January 31, 2026 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
American Girl Doll Adventures (Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glen Ellyn)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Board Game Swap (St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Flavor Club: Hot Sauce (Berwyn Public Library, Berwyn)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Register in advance.
Pokemon Book Day (Three Stories Books, Lemont)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Lego Club (Santori Library, Aurora)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Sunday
Explore Downtown Downers Grove’s Ice Festival or visit Oswego Public Library’s Montgomery Branch for Valentines for Loved Ones.
Chocolate Weekend (The Morton Arboretum, Lisle)
February 1, 2026 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Day (Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield)
February 1, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Wicker Park Farmer’s Market (Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, Chicago)
February 1, 2026 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival (Downtown Downers Grove)
February 1, 2026 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Valentines for Loved Ones (Oswego Public Library-Montgomery Branch, Montgomery)
February 1, 2026 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
The Maker Table: Diamond Painting (St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles)
February 1, 2026 | 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Sensory Friendly Program – Family Bingo (Oswego Public Library-Montgomery Branch, Montgomery)
February 1, 2026 | 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Make Break (check your local Michaels store)
February 1, 2026 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
LEGO® Club (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
February 1, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Sunday Music Matinee: Heather Braoudakis (Warrenville Public Library, Warrenville)
February 1, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Northwest Suburbs
We strive to answer the question “Where can I find weekend events near me?” Our team takes care to stock the calendar full of kid-friendly fun, but please keep in mind that last minute changes to events do happen. We recommend clicking through to the event details to double check if there has been a change in registration requirements and to get additional information before you go. Have fun!
Friday
Explore Vernon Area Public Library’s Playdate at the Library or take advantage of Volo Auto Museum’s January Special for Guests 55 & Older.
Playdate at the Library (Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire)
January 30, 2026 | 9:30am – 11:00am
Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago History Museum, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Morning Glories (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 12:30pm
Included in general admission.
January Special for Guests 55 & Older (Volo Museum, Volo)
January 30, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Hejsan: Story and Craft (Swedish American Museum, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Free Admission for Illinois Residents (The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago)
January 30, 2026 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Cuentos en Español (Elmwood Park Public Library, Elmwood Park)
January 30, 2026 | 11:30am – 12:00pm
Pokémon Club (Mount Prospect Public Library, Mount Prospect)
January 30, 2026 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Game On (Franklin Park Public Library, Franklin Park)
January 30, 2026 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Ukrainian Winter Trivia Night (Elmwood Park Public Library, Elmwood Park)
January 30, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Registration is required.
Saturday
Join Mount Prospect Public Library’s Fire Safety Storytime With the MPFD or check out the newest play space in Des Plaines, Kids Play Hive.
Fire Safety Storytime With the MPFD (Mount Prospect Public Library, Mount Prospect)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 10:45am
January Special for Guests 55 & Older (Volo Museum, Volo)
January 31, 2026 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
K-Pop Demon Hunters Party (Prospect Heights Public Library, Prospect Heights)
January 31, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
What’s On The Menu? (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
January 31, 2026 | 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Sunday
Stop by the kid-focused Wicker Park Farmer’s Market or check out a new idea for family-friendly fun in our Activities by Age guide that published last week!
Wicker Park Farmer’s Market (Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, Chicago)
February 1, 2026 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sensory-Friendly Hour (Park Ridge Public Library, Park Ridge)
February 1, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Make Break (check your local Michaels store)
February 1, 2026 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
What’s On The Menu? (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
February 1, 2026 | 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Looking for indoor fun?
As colder temperatures continue, you may be heading indoors for fun. Here are a handful of our favorite lists:
- Indoor Play Places and Playgrounds Guide
- 30 Arcades and Entertainment Centers with Laser Tag, Go-Karts, and More
- 45 Nature Centers in Chicagoland
- 31 Alleys to Take Kids Bowling And Strike Out Boredom
- 24 of the Coolest Indoor and Outdoor Mini Golf Courses in Chicagoland
- 12 Play Cafe Destinations in Chicago’s Suburbs to Sip and Play
- Chicagoland Ice Skating Arenas
- Jump Places: Trampoline Parks and Inflatables
Want to look ahead to next week?
Check out all the family-friendly events happening in your neighborhood and beyond on our events calendar. You can filter the calendar by day by clicking the date on top, so if you are looking for things to do on a specific day, it’s easy to find!
You might also be interested in…
- Your Guide to Amazing Winter Activities for Kids in the West and Northwest Suburbs
- 2025-26 Guide to Kids Classes and Teams
- Where to Have the Best Kids Birthday Party + Entertainers, Rentals, Decor, Food and More
- Find the Right Preschool and Daycare for Your Family
- Your Local Guide to Kids Eat Free
We hope you found some family-friendly fun in our list of things to do with kids this weekend in the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago! This list is updated every week and sent out in the Kidlist emails. (Click here to sign up if you haven’t already.)
We love local businesses, libraries, park districts, villages, and organizations — they plan great events for all of us to enjoy. If you are hosting an event or know of an event that should be on our list, click here to submit it to the Kidlist calendar!
We strive to be the most comprehensive source for family fun, which is why you’ll always see so many weekend events listed. It would definitely be easier to just list the details for a few events and call them “the best weekend events for families”, but we recognize that everyone has different interests. Not to mention, sometimes I’m in the mood to go to a huge festival, and sometimes I’d rather go to a low-key storytime at the library. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. That’s why we work hard and spend a lot of time to find everything going on in our area so you don’t have to!
We hope you find it helpful and we are open to suggestions. The Kidlist Team always talks about how we can improve and evolve to meet your needs, so let us know!
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