Things to do with kids in and around ChicagoMary Houlihan - For the Sun-Timeson June 24, 2021 at 4:21 am 2024 Events Concerts Things To Do

There’s lots of cool things for kids and families to do and see in and around Chicago. | stock.adobe.com

Looking for something to do with your family? Check out our highlights of current events and activities for kids.

Welcome to our highlights of events and entertainment in Chicago for kids and families to enjoy. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on the latest activities.

Tempel Lipizzans’ stallions

A Tempel Lipizzan stallion performs “Airs Above the Ground.” — A Tempel Lippizan stallion performs “Airs Above the Ground.”

When: Ongoing

Where: Tempel Farms, 17000 Wadsworth, Old Mill Creek.

What: The stallions return for a new season of equestrian dressage along with interactive, educational events. Performances feature synchronized movements set to classical music that show off the strength, beauty and intelligence of the Lipizzan horse. Following each event, there are self-guided tours through the stables to meet and pet the equine stars and ask questions of riders and trainers about how the Lipizzans are raised, trained and taught to “dance.” Tickets: $35, $25 for ages 4-14.

More information: tempelfarms.com

Pride in the Park

When: 2-10 p.m. June 26, 3-10 p.m. June 27

Where: Butler Field in Grant Park, main entrance is 377 E. Monroe

What: The LGBTQ-friendly music festival returns to Grant Park. Chaka Khan headlines the festival, which also includes performances by Gryffin, Tiësto, Betty Who, DJ Derrick Carter and Tracy Young. Also featured are drag performers including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Denali Foxx, The Vixen and Naysha Lopez as well as Tenderoni, Miss Toto and Jo MaMa. Tickets: $40-$85, free for children 10 and under.

More information: prideintheparkchicago.com

Long Grove Strawberry Festival

When: noon-11 p.m. June 25, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. June 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 27

Where: 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove

What: A decades-old tradition in downtown Long Grove returns June 25-27. It will be the same full-scale event that annually kicks off summertime in the suburb. There’s strawberry-centric cuisine — deep-fried strawberries on a stick, chocolate-strawberry popcorn, strawberry smoothies, strawberry donuts, strawberry shakes, strawberry ice cream, chocolate-strawberry sundaes and much more. Additional vendors also will be on-hand dishing out summertime delights not strawberry-themed. There are also children’s activities, live music and a classic carnival.Tickets: $5; children under 6, free.

More information: longgrove.org

Drag Story Hour

When: 10-11 a.m. June 27

Where: WNDR Museum, 1130 W. Monroe

What: The WNDR Museum has partnered with A Queer Pride and Chicago Public Library for this event featuring Chicago drag stars Bambi Banks-Couleé, Khloe Couleé and Kitty Banks, who will be stationed throughout the museum reading stories from books provided by CPL. The books featured will focus on stories about LGBTQ+ children, parents and families using language and imagery that is easy to understand for all age groups. Tickets in advance only: $40, children under 2 free.

More information: wndrmuseum.com

‘Becoming Jane’

What: Generations have been inspired by the work of primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall who has not only shown the urgent need to protect chimpanzees but also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environments. A new exhibit at the Field Museum, “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Jane Goodall,” follows her journey from a curious young child in England to a passionate scientist studying chimpanzees in Africa. Included in the exhibit are a recreation of her field research tent, a hologram-like projection of Goodall who shares her fieldwork memories, augmented reality activities and a projection of Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park.

When: To Sept. 6

Where: Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Tickets: $18-$32. Visit fieldmuseum.org.

‘Hello Helios: The warming suns of Chicago’s Greektown’

Detail view of James Mesplé’s Sun and Moon Image featured in the “Hello Helios” exhibit in Greektown. — Detail view of James Mesplé’s Sun and Moon Image featured in the “Hello Helios” exhibit in Greektown

When: Through spring 2022

Where: Halsted from Monroe to Van Buren

What: Welcome summer with a new outdoor exhibit celebrating the start of summer with 24 artworks inspired by the sun and related mythologies from Greek, Aztec, Yoruba, Japanese and Native American cultures.

More information: greektownchicago.org

Kayak for Conservation

When: Ongoing

Where: Kayak Chicago: 1220 W LeMoyne,

What: Get close to nature via the Shedd Aquarium’s popular Kayak for Conservation program, which features a variety of socially distant kayaking experiences on the Chicago River. Participants learn about the river’s environmental history and discover wildlife living in its ecosystem. Sessions are open to all levels of kayakers (including newbies) and are led by Shedd’s wildlife conservation experts. The cost is pay-what-you-can ranging from $20–$100 per participant, with a recommended $40, the base cost of the program.

More information: sheddaquarium.org/kayak

‘Make/Believe’

Levi Denton-Hughes as Soledad in “It’s Poppin’”; credit: Ghostlight Ensemble — Levi Denton-Hughes as Soledad in “It’s Poppin’ ” from Ghostlight Ensemble.

When: On demand to July 4

Where: Online

What: Ghostlight Theatre’s annual festival for young audiences takes place virtually this year. Featured are six new short plays that run the gamut from “Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things,” about a child with no memory lost at sea, to “It’s Poppin’,” about a balloon afraid of soaring through the clouds, to “Splash of Magic,” about a girl trying to conquer her fear of swimming. Tickets: $1-$10.

More information: ghostlightensemble.com

‘Take Flight’

When: Permanent

Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.

What: The MSI’s Boeing 747 reopens with a reimagined exhibit that explores modern aviation and the science of flight. The plane’s interior has been restored and new interactive elements have been added. Tickets: $12.95, $21.95.

More information: msichicago.org

Things to do with kids in and around ChicagoMary Houlihan – For the Sun-Timeson June 24, 2021 at 4:21 am