40+ Free Things to Do in Chicago with Kids this Winter

Sledding is always a fun free activity for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve of Cook County

Say what you want about Chicago winters, but the fact is, this town knows how to pack a lot of fun into the coldest months of the year. And best of all, there are plenty of FREE things to do in Chicago during the winter.

Some of the city's best attractions offer free admission during the winter, with free Illinois resident days at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum—plus, The DuSable Museum is always free (to help you celebrate MLK Day and Black History Month in February), and the Art Institute of Chicago is free on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays through St. Patrick's Day. Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, lots of parades are returning as everyone becomes Chi-rish for a day, or you can see a different kind of parade at Chinese New Year in Chinatown. Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day also make our list of fun free things to do in Chicago this winter.

Looking for more? Our list of 100 Things to Do With Chicago Kids Before They Grow Up might do the trick, and of course you can always find more daily activities in our Chicago Event Calendar or our Chicago Winter Fun Guide.

20+ Free Activities Near Philly this Winter for Kids and Families

Winter in Franklin Square runs through the end of February. Photo courtesy of Historic Philadelphia

As the holidays give way to the new year, take the burden off your wallet after all that gift-giving, and check out these free activities near Philadelphia for kids. Bundle up for ice sculpture festivals, or take the family exploring at one of the region's nature centers. Alternatively, stay warm indoors at free museum days and indoor play spaces, or simply cozy up at home with virtual offerings. And if the snow gods make their mark on the Philadelphia region, we've got cost-free ways to enjoy the white stuff in our Winter Activities Guide.

15 Free Activities Near DC this Winter for Kids and Families

Admission to Planet Word is free and offers plenty of hands-on exhibits kids will love. Photo courtesy of  the museum

When the weather turns colder, it gets harder to entertain the kids without spending money. Free outdoor events such as festivals and concerts in the park aren't happening. Splash pads and spraygrounds are closed. Playground equipment freezes up. Fortunately, there are still plenty of free activities near DC for kids and families to enjoy this winter.

Some of these free activities for kids are located indoors. Others require the family to bundle up and brave the cold. But all of these free events and activities will brighten up even the dreariest winter day.

Here are 15 free activities near DC to do with kids this winter. For more ideas for cold-weather fun, check out our Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids.

25 Things We Are Excited To Do in Atlanta with Kids This Winter

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a magical winter spot. Photo courtesy of the garden

Even as we enjoy fairly mild winters in Atlanta, most of us Southerners tend to hibernate rather than brave the not-quite-freezing temperatures. But for those of us who get cabin fever, there are some outdoor activities this winter that are sure to keep kids active and engaged. 

From snow tubing at Snow Island in Margaritaville to MLK Day events, outdoor entertainment, and light shows, even in these COVID times there is something for everyone this winter in Atlanta. We've handpicked our favorite Atlanta winter activities, so bundle up, gather your crew, and prepare for some wintertime fun. 

30 Things We Are Excited to Do with Orlando Kids This Winter

Speed down the hills at Snowcat Ridge for thrilling snow tubing and family fun at this winter snow park! Photo courtesy of Snowcat Ridge

Start 2022 by creating special memories with your family with the help of our guide of fun things to do this winter in Orlando. From manatee sightings and strawberry picking, to a theme park festival and Scottish Highland Games, no matter where you are around Central Florida there is no shortage of fun things to do in the winter. 

Don't forget to ​subscribe to our FREE newsletter as well for the best events, ideas, and happenings in the area delivered right to your inbox!

Winter Bucket List: 50 Things To Do in Houston with Kids this Winter

If you haven't been yet, put the Houston Museum of Natural Science on your list for this winter. Photo courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

Yes, we are in the midst of (another) pandemic winter, but the great news is there are still plenty of fun, socially distanced activities to do around Houston as well as at home this season. Plus, the mild winters in Houston allow for plenty of outdoor fun. From the best winter break events to our favorite rainy day activities to our Winter Activities Guide, we have a long list of fun things to do in Houston this winter.

We are continuing to update our guides and reviews with latest updates or changes to operations due to COVID-19. For options that don't require leaving the house, check out our Stay-at-Home Guide with hundreds of ideas for kids of all ages. 

Our Favorite Family Vacation Spots of 2021: Great Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and More

West Palm Beach is not only gorgeous, it's packed with kid-friendly adventures. Photo by Jackie Jones

After the pandemic canceled way too many of our travel plans in 2020, our Mommy Poppins team and their families were eager to get back out there in 2021. And travel we did! We explored some amazing cities that are perfect for family vacations, from Charlotte to Seattle and all the way to Sitka, Alaska. There were also epic zoos to visit, lots of hands-on children's museums to explore, sunny resorts, and Christmas towns that made us light up inside.

Here is our list of the best family vacation spots of 2021, including warm and sunny family vacation ideas for winter or spring break, the Poconos Mountains if you want to get back to nature, and more.

13 Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in Los Angeles

Kids check out the current exhibit at the CAAM. Photo by HRDWRKER

What's better than a free day at a museum? How about a museum that's free every day? A place where you can expose your children to some of the best artwork, science, and history that Los Angeles has to offer without paying admission, ever. Several of this city's most iconic museums offer free admission every day (if you don't count parking, that is). And then of course there are the ones that just offer free admission to kids. So what are you waiting for? Take your whole crew out for some culture and creativity at one of these FREE museums.

To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters—and discover all the free events and activities near you in our Los Angeles Free Things To Do with Kids Guide.

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