Fall is in full swing, and the Chicagoland area is bursting with festive ways to celebrate the season! From pumpkin patches and fall festivals to Halloween fun and cultural celebrations, our list of things to do with kids this weekend is jam-packed with ideas. Since many school districts have off for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’ve included ideas for Monday, too. However you choose to spend your weekend, we hope you make the most of your time at these fun, fall festivities happening throughout the suburbs.
This weekend planner is sponsored by the Chicago Wolves, Timothy Christian Resale, and Pixels by Emily.
Grab Your Chicago Wolves Home Opener Tickets Today!
Chicago Wolves hockey games are so much fun! The puck will drop for the 33rd season of Chicago Wolves hockey at Allstate Arena on Saturday, Oct. 10 and tickets for all 36 home games are now on sale! The Chicago Wolves are your reigning Western Conference Champions and you don’t want to miss the home opener. Arrive early for your chance at a free Chicago Wolves hockey mug. Click on the link and check out what Chicago Wolves hockey is all about. THIS is Wolves hockey!
Timothy Christian Toy & Clothing Resale
Mark your calendar for the Timothy Christian School Spring Resale on October 10 in Elmhurst! It’s the perfect place to stock up for fall and winter with great deals on kids’ clothing, toys, books, sports equipment, and more.
Early shoppers can attend the Pre-Shop from 8–10am for a $10 entry fee. Free general admission runs from 10am–3pm, with many items half price from 1–3pm.
The sale will be held in the high school building. Please use the high school main entrance on Prospect Avenue.
Please note: No children under 14 will be admitted to the sale.
Interested in consigning? Register at www.timothychristian.com/support/events/resale.
Shop, save, and get ready for the season ahead!
Magical Santa Experience with Pixels by Emily
Magical Santa Experience
Pixels by Emily
704 E Franklin Street
Mahomet, IL 61853
(217) 730-3050
October 18, 24, 25
November 7, 8, 14, 15, 28, 29
December 5, 6, 19
One day, they’ll stop believing. Until then, make the magic real.
Give your child a Christmas experience that feels as magical as they imagine it to be. The Magical Santa Experience is an unforgettable 60-minute private experience designed to capture the wonder and excitement of Christmas through your child’s eyes.
Step inside Santa’s Magical Workshop, where twinkling lights, toys, treats, Christmas music, and authentic details bring the North Pole to life. Your child will spend meaningful one-on-one time with Santa, explore his workshop, gather around the cozy fireside, and discover special traditions including Santa’s Reindeer Calling Sleigh Bells and the story behind them.
And while they’re experiencing the magic, we’ll capture timeless, Norman Rockwell-inspired portraits that preserve more than a beautiful photograph, they preserve this season of childhood.
Cherish this Christmas memory for years to come, because they’re only this little once, and one day, Christmas will feel different. Until then, make the magic real. Secure your spot for the Magical Santa Experience and give them a Christmas they’ll never forget.
Table of Contents
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
Register for Tiny Twistar Preschool Halloween Pop Up at Gemini Gymnastics Academy in La Grange, celebrate the Winnie-the-Pooh Party at Geneva Public Library, or take your costumes for a spin at Halloween Happening in Wheaton.
Saturday
It’s impossible to pick from all the options on Saturday. Enjoy the Pumpkin Patch Parade at Maywood Fine Arts, join Oak Park’s ¡Viva! Festival, or explore the Celebration of Special Recreation in Bolingbrook.
Sunday
Join the fun at these annual events: St. Charles’ Scarecrow Fest, Morton Arboretum’s Glass Pumpkin Patch, and Fall Festival at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton.
Monday
There are great options for family-friendly fun on Monday. Join a Day Off Camp, take a swing at Coyote Crossing’s Not So Scary Golf in West Chicago, or enjoy the Magic Show at North Riverside Park Mall.
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
Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with Firefighter Storytime at Franklin Park Public Library or join the fun at Twin Lakes Harvest Hayride and Storytime. It will be a beautiful evening for one of the many outdoor movies happening Friday night.
Saturday
You can’t go wrong picking from our list on Saturday. Streamwood Fire Department Open House, Triton College’s Trunk-or-Treat in Space, and Hoffman Estates’ Hispanic Heritage Day Fiesta are a small sampling of all the great choices!
Sunday
Join the Fall Fishing Fest in Northbrook or the Live Reptile Meet and Greet at Volo Museum!
Monday
Get in the Halloween spirit with Poplar Creek Public Library’s Creepy Carnival, Park Ridge Public Library’s Creepy, Crawly, Scaly Fun, or the Coraline Watch Party at Elmwood Park Public Library.
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…
- All the Best Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Chicagoland
- The Ultimate 2026 Halloween Chicago Suburbs Family Guide
- 2026-27 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!
3 Comments. Leave new
This is a wonderful site. Thank you.
Love this Katie! Good job! Always looking for different healthy activities for the kiddos!
Awesome job, we struggle each week to find things to do with our grandchildren. Thank you so much.