Boredom is Just An Excuse for Not Living!

It is difficult to find activities for kids when money is low and you have more than one child.  But thank God Chicago has a myriad of opportunities for kid-friendly fun and learning.  All one has to do is do a little research and you can find tons of free or inexpensive things to do.

Today I am posting links of websites to look up and places to go that will help any parent find something for their children to do.

Chicagoparent.com Magazine online is a great beginning.  I used it a lot when my children were smaller and for my students when I had to take them on 2 field trips a month.

You can also pick up the actual magazine through any library in the city.  Chicago Children's Museum has an exhibit called Danger 101.  Kids get to unleash their Daredevil and to be adventurous.  Most of the museums cost money to attend but they also have free days.  Here's a list. Tweet

ADLER PLANETARIUM

Free general admission for Illinois residents on these upcoming 2014 dates:
January 6-8, 13-15, 21-22, 27-29
February 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-25
March 3-6
June 3-5, 10-12 

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every Thursday evening from 5-8pm.

Additionally children under age 14 are always free and the public can enjoy the following museum areas free of charge:

• The Ryan Education Center in the Modern Wing, as well as all programs for families and children within the center
• The North and South Gardens (accessible from Michigan Avenue)
• The Nichols Bridgeway connecting the museum to Millennium Park
• The Bluhm Family Terrace on the 3rd floor of the west pavilion of the Modern Wing

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Free general admission for Illinois residents on the following 2014 dates:
January 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-31
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 10
May 5
June 1-6
September 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29
October 6, 7
November 3
December 8

FIELD MUSEUM

Free general admission for Illinois residents on these upcoming 2014 dates:
January 21-22, 29-30
February 3-6, 11-13, 18-19, 24-27

SHEDD AQUARIUM

Free general admission for Illinois residents only on the following 2014 dates:
January: 11-14, 19-21, 24-28
February: 3-4, 10-11, 16-18, 24-25
June: 2-3, 9-10, 16-17

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

Free admission for Illinois residents only on the following 2014 dates:
January 20
February (every day of the month except Saturdays)
March 4
July 4
August 10, 19-21, 26-28
September (every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday of the month)
October 1-2, 7-9

CHICAGO CHILDRENS MUSEUM AT NAVY PIER

Free admission for visitors age 15 and under on Target Free First Sundays, offered the first Sunday of each month. Additionally there is free admission for all visitors on Kraft Free Family Night, offered Thursday evenings 5-8pm.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round.

PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM 

Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents year round.

DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

Admission is free to all on each Sunday of the year. The museum also offers free admission rates (on school days) to all Chicago Public School students.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART

Admission is free for all visitors every Tuesday, year round.

SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM

Admission is free for all visitors on the second Tuesday of the month, year round.

CLARK HOUSE MUSEUM

Tours are free on Wednesdays, year round (not applicable to groups of ten or more).

GLESSNER HOUSE MUSEUM

Tours are free on Wednesdays, year round (not applicable to groups of ten or more).

CHARNLEY-PERSKY HOUSE

Tours are free on Wednesdays, year round (not applicable to groups of ten or more).

If this doesn't work, there are free passes at any Chicago Public Library to attend Museums in the city.

Do you like nature?  Try the Morton Arboretum, Garfield Park Conservatory or the Chicago Botanic Gardens, The Chicago Forest Preserves.  Here you can watch nature, see beautiful trees and flowers and participate in nature activities.

Here are some extra places to link to that gives tons of ideas and places to go.  Enjoy and have a blast with your child or yourself!!

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/chicago-tours/
http://www.chicagokids.com/
20 Free or Inexpensive Things to do with Children
Timeout Chicago for Kids
Metromix Chicago Family
Free Things to Do In Chicago
Free Activities on Yelp for Kids
50 Things to Do with Your Kids Before they Grow Up
Choose Chicago Family and Kid Activities
http://www.chicagoelevated.com/2011/11/08/the-pedway-tour-2/

Also try the Chicago Park District and Public Libraries for free opportunities, classes, workshops or activities.  You'd be amazed at what's there for little or no cost.

Here is a link to to Art Centers on Chicago's Southside that offer free or inexpensive classes:  Logan Family Center; Southside Community Art Center;