Sometimes keeping the kiddos busy over Winter Break is tough! Here are some free ideas in the Chicago suburbs to help you out:
Christmas on the Farm and Life by Lamplight Farm House Tours, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, Thursdays-Mondays, November 30-January 8 see times. The farm house will be decorated for the holidays and full of aromas of holiday treats baked in a wood stove. Learn the origins of holiday traditions and more. Free.
Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo Wheaton; November 24-December 31 3PM-9PM, 20,000 twinkling lights transform the zoo with displays; Christmas tree sale as well; free; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas; check website for specific times (closed days), free but donations appreciated
Winter Break Craft at the Raupp Museum in Buffalo Grove, December 26-29 and January 2-5 from 1PM-3:30PM; December 26 Pinecone Birdfeeder
December 27 Hot Chocolate Mix
December 28 Ice Skate Bookmark
December 29 Shrinky Dink Zipper Pull
Date Activity
January 2 Beaded Snowflake
January 3 Many Bean Soup Mix
January 4 Mitten Bookmark
January 5 Paper Plate Snow Globe
Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn; Open daily 9AM-5PM (except holidays); I recommend making a trip to Willowbrook to learn about native animal rehabilitation.
Winter Break Nature Drop In Days at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook; Dec 26-28 and Jan 2-4 at 1PM
Animal Feeding Times at Wildwood Nature Center, Park Ridge, December 27 and January 3 10:30AM & 3:30PM, free
Raptor Rendezvous at Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest, December 28; 1PM, learn about native raptors, dissect an owl pellet, see resident raptors and learn how the preserve cares for them, free but must register
A Day at the Races at Arlington Heights Memorial Library - December 29 10:00AM-11:00AM, create a car from Legos and race, drop in
Make and Take Morning, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, January 2, Lindsey Room, 10AM-11AM, several drop in crafts
Free Fridays at Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst, December 29 & January 5 10AM-5PM
The Shoemaker and The Elves & The Night Before Christmas Puppet Show, Book Market, Glen Town Center, December 29 11AM-11:45AM, free but must register
Charlotte's Web Live Theater, Barrington Area Library, January 4, 10:30AM-11:30AM, free, those with Barrington library card receive preference, other districts as room allows
Elmhurst Art Museum Free First Friday, January 5, 11AM-7PM
Brookfield Zoo Free Admission Tuesdays & Thursdays -- does not include Holiday Magic or parking
Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington: Crabtree has one of my favorite nature centers in the area. They also have a nice outdoor play area if the weather is conducive.
Barrington Area Library Kids Section: There is a lot to explore in the library's kids area like a huge light bright, pretend marketplace, puppet show area, duplo room, technology play and more.
ROAD TRIP:
Road trip to Kenosha: Both the Dinosaur Discovery Museum and the Kenosha Public Museum have free admission. They are closed December 24-26 and December 31-January 1. A good trip and you can also visit the Jelly Belly Warehouse while in the area.
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