There’s no shortage of family-friendly fun on the horizon. Our list of things to do with kids this weekend has storytimes, nature programming, outdoor adventures, and much more. It’s a big weekend for Lunar New Year celebrations, with vibrant events that invite families to explore lively performances, festive foods, hands-on crafts, and colorful traditions. Our readers will love all of the exciting options outlined in our weekend planner below.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, it’s a great time to start planning out your spring break plans. Our guide includes camps, events, and activities to keep the fun going all week long.
This weekend planner is sponsored by Hummingbird Children’s Academy and Lava Island.
Open Houses at Hummingbird Children’s Academy
Hummingbird Children’s Academy is a one-of-a-kind, half-day therapeutic enrichment program for children aged 2-6 (2-8 during the summer)! Their small classes are run by licensed and certified pediatric therapists.
Enrollment is open for summer 2026 and the 2026-2027 school year!
Don't miss their Academy Open House on Wednesday, February 25th, at their Westmont Center from 6:30-7:30pm or join virtually on Wednesday, March 4th, from 6:30-7:00pm.
Click the button below to learn more about the Academy and RSVP.
Lava Island is Opening VERY Soon!
Adventure is calling, Chicagoland! 🌴 A massive new indoor playground is erupting soon – and it’s not just for kids. With 30,000+ sq. ft. of screen-free fun, the whole family can play together (yes, even adults!). Explore a towering 3-level jungle gym built for all ages, race down epic slides, jump on trampolines, dive into foam pits, and let little ones roam in a dedicated toddler area.
Planning a celebration? Themed birthday party rooms are coming soon – join the birthday party waitlist to be first in line when bookings open. 🎉
Want in on the fun first? Join the VIP list for exclusive access to a FREE All-Day Pass* and early entry to the Grand Opening event. Be the first to play when the doors open – this is one party you won’t want to miss!
Help Us Pack the Last 20 Duffle Bags!
Our 7th Annual Kidlist Volunteer and Donate Event is nearly full, and we would love to fill the final spots before next weekend.
We have just 15 spots remaining for the 2–3pm shift and 5 spots left for 3–4pm on Sunday, February 22 at The Village Club of Western Springs.
During this hands-on event, families decorate and pack duffle bags that will be donated to All Our Children’s Advocacy Center in Justice. Each $9.50 ticket includes a duffle bag and decorating supplies. Bringing small items to place inside is optional, but many families enjoy shopping together beforehand to add something extra.
If you’ve been meaning to sign up, this is your reminder. Let’s finish strong and make sure every available bag is spoken for before next weekend!
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
Explore Oceans Wonders at Wonder Works Childrens Museum, the Morton Arboretum’s Juniper Junction, or Brookfield Zoo’s Free Admission Day.
Saturday
Santori Library’s Colgate® Bright Smiles,Bright Futures Van and Community Fair, Kline Creek Farm’s Maple Sugaring, and Naperville’s Glow in the Snow will be filled with family-friendly fun.
Sunday
Head to the Chicago Children’s Museum’s Kids Free Day or Hinsdale Public Library’s Lunar New Year Celebration.
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
Visit Franklin Park Public Library for Scales-N-Tales Storytime or head to city for the Art Institute of Chicago’s Free Admission for Illinois Residents.
Saturday
Families looking for Saturday fun can check Indian Trails Public Library’s Super Saturday festivities, Sap’s Rising at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, or Vernon Area Public Library’s Dance to China: Lunar New Year Celebration.
Sunday
Explore one of the events below, or check out a new spot on our list of Top 10 Nature Centers as voted by our readers.
Looking for indoor fun?
Even though temperatures are getting warmer, you may still be staying 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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This is a wonderful site. Thank you.