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MLK Weekend 2025 in Chicago: 19 Best Things To Do With Kids

Aanika's Elephants photo by Zach Hyman, courtesy of the Chicago International Puppet Theater.
Aanika's Elephants photo by Zach Hyman, courtesy of the Chicago International Puppet Theater.
1/15/25 - By MommyPoppins

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this MLK, Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Are you ready for another day off from school? Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by learning about Dr. King's legacy at the Chicago History Museum or Hyde Park Arts Center or joining in Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Kids can also perform service projects in honor of Dr. King at a Cook County Forest Preserves. Or, use the long January weekend to celebrate winter fests in Countryside, Wheeling, and Lemont. 

If it snows, you can check out our favorite sledding hills, or if it's extremely cold, see our list of indoor play spaces.

 Here are our top picks for events to attend with your kids this weekend!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Enjoy art projects and more at Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Photo courtesy of the museum.
Enjoy art projects and more at Black Creativity Family Day at the Museum of Science and Industry. Photo courtesy of the museum.

Things to Do in Chicago On MLK, Jr. Weekend

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour

Various Neighborhoods
Friday, January 17 and Sunday, January 19
The Chicago International Puppet Theater’s Festival Neighborhood Tour presents free family-friendly puppet shows outside a different Chicago theater venue each day. The 35-minute performances give families who might not usually get a chance to see puppetry enjoy the show. This year's presentations include "The Amazing Story Machine," performed by by Sandglass Theater Co. and Doppelskope and "Hungry Garden" performed by Poncili Creación. READ MORE

Blast Off to Outer Space Museum Takeover at Wonder Works

Oak Park
Daily through Monday, January 20
Calling all astronauts and deep space explorers! From January 9 to 20, Wonder Works Children’s Museum is blasting off to outer space! Children can dress up as astronauts, crawl into rocket tents and pretend they’ve landed Mars. In the lunar exploration pit, children can navigate space themed objects as they develop their gross motor skills. READ MORE

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Championships

North Center
Saturday, January 18
Qualifiers from Silver Skates speed skating races throughout the city compete for bragging rights at McFetridge Park Sports Center. Enter a race to try to win, or come watch the action. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Park District Lunar New Year Celebration

Buffalo Grove
Saturday, January 18
Celebrate Lunar New Year early at Buffalo Grove's Community Arts Center with lantern designing, kite decorating, and lunar masks. Asian cuisine, beer wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Cantigny Winter Warm Up Movies

Wheaton
Saturday, January 18
Each week families can visit Cantigny to skate on its skating rink, then warm up with a movie and a snack or meal at Le Jardin. Family friendly movies will play on repeat every two hours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. READ MORE

Lemont Ice & Lights Fest

Lemont
Saturday, January 18
Embrace the season of ice and lights and celebrate the new year with ice carvings in downtown Lemont. Visit live reindeer at General Fry's Landing, roast marshmallows with Lemont firefighters, enjoy free tractor high rides (weather permitting), and visit The Creamery Truck for free hot chocolates for the first 500 visitors. READ MORE

Countryside Winter fest

Countryside
Saturday, January 18
Join Bluey and Bingo as they celebrate winter in Countryside with lots of fun winter activities. The event will include sledding and skiing (weather permitting), a coloring contest, a bonfire, a face painter, indoor games for kids, and a hot chocolate bar. READ MORE

Slime Saturday at West Pullman Library

West Pullman
Saturday, January 18
Join Ms. A for this DIY slime program to create unique slime with customizable colors, scents and glitters. This hands-on activity allows individuals to experiment and personalize their slime creations while learning about the science behind slime. Unleash your creativity and take home one-of-a-kind slime creations. READ MORE

Magical Starlight Theatre Presents Cinderella

Naperville
Friday, January 17- Sunday, January 20
Naperville Park District's Magical Starlight Theatre presents Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, based on the classic musical. Buy tickets to experience this unforgettable trip to the ball. READ MORE

Family Fun Fest

Downtown
Sunday, January 19
Stop in for an open-house celebration with winter play activities, music, art and more. For kids of all ages and their caregivers.  READ MORE

Wheeling Winterfest

Wheeling
Sunday, January 19
Families can enjoy some winter fun at Horizon Park in Wheeling at Winterfest. Meet winter princesses, see a dog sled demonstration, take photos in a giant snow globe, do a winter craft, or join in a penguin egg hunt! READ MORE

Chicago Cubs Convention

Downtown
Friday, January 17- Sunday, January 19
Join the Chicago Cubs for their annual convention at Sheraton Grand Chicago. The event will feature autographs from current players and alumni, conversations with players and coaches, auctions and Cubs Fan Bingo. READ MORE

Frozen at the Paramount Theatre

Aurora
Closes Sunday, January 19
Visit the Paramount Theatre in Aurora to see the regional premiere of Frozen. Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, this sparkling Disney fairytale has been reimagined for the stage. The theatrical production of Frozen brings Disney’s beloved animated film to life and fills the stage with winter magic. Set in the magical kingdom of Arendelle, the story follows two royal sisters, Elsa and Anna, as they navigate love, loyalty, and Elsa’s uncontrollable powers. READ MORE
Reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in events across Chicago this weekend. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Collection, Chicago History Museum
Reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in events across Chicago this weekend. Source: Chicago Sun-Times Collection, Chicago History Museum

Things to Do On Martin Luther King Day in Chicago

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event

Old Town
Visit the Chicago History Museum to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with family. The event includes lectures and panel discussions, a youth poetry workshop, a musical performance, and a hands-on history experience. READ MORE

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service

Forest Preserves of Cook County
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at one of Cook County's Forest Preserves. Litter clean-up events take place at Dan Ryan Woods, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Eggers Grove, River Trails Nature Center, Schiller Woods, Caldwell Woods, and Crabtree Nature Center. READ MORE

Black Creativity Family Day

Museum Campus
During this year’s Family Day, families can participate in a day of community art experience, engage in creative activities, and explore the Juried Art Exhibition. SkyART's Make Your Mark collaborative painting, encapsulates the spirit of community. Add your mark to one of the large canvases, ultimately creating an artwork that is a testament to the power of collective creativity and affirms each person's presence in the space. READ MORE

King's Day at Amundsen Park

Austin
Join Amundsen Park in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday. Activities include King Day Craft, King Day Trivia, King Day Scavenger Hunt, and other fun. READ MORE

MLK Day at Elk Grove Village Public Library

Elk Grove Village
Drop by for an immersive experience dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Kids can explore engaging videos, interactive digital activities, and informative art displays, as well as create crafts. READ MORE

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Chicago Children's Museum

Downtown
Visit the Chicago Children's Museum to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Design your own Dr. Martin Luther King badge, create your own collage self portrait with Chicago artist and educator Derek Moore, and visit the story lounge to to peruse children's books on the civil rights movement, race, and identity. Explore resources to help you have conversations with your children about race. READ MORE

Echoes of Freedom: MLK Day 2025

Hyde Park
Hyde Park Art Center is proud to present Echoes of Freedom, a day-long celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy. Taking place on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM, this annual event blends live music, thought-provoking film, engaging art activities, and inspiring discussions to create a rich, multi-dimensional experience for all ages. READ MORE

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