26 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Chicago in November 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.
7 listings
Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513
Steelworkers Park · 87th at S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60617
Evanston Public Library, Main Library · 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Lincoln Park Zoo · 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Chicago Children’s Museum · 700 E. Grand Ave. (Navy Pier), Chicago, IL 60611
Sand Ridge Nature Center · 15891 Paxton Ave, South Holland, IL 60473
Kohl Children’s Museum · 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026
1 listing
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum · Lincoln Park
4 listings
Naper Settlement · 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL 60540
Millennium Park, near Michigan Ave. & Washington St. · Loop
Meineke Park · 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg, IL
Michigan Avenue · Magnificent Mile
7 listings
Main and Grove Streets, downtown Downers Grove · Downers Grove
St. Giles Gym, 1020 Linden Ave. · Oak Park, IL · about 9 miles away
Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Rd. · Naperville, IL · about 30 miles away
Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr. just south of Diversey · Lincoln Park
Main Street Train Station, Downers Grove · Downers Grove
Glenview Road to Jackman Park, 1011 Lehigh Avenue, Glenview · Glenview
7 listings
Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.
The Morton Arboretum · Lisle, IL
Lincoln Park Zoo · 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Lincoln Park Zoo · 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513
Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513
Kohl Children’s Museum · 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026
Downtown Downers Grove · Downtown Downers Grove, Downers Grove, IL
Guides
Keep planning
December: things to do in ChicagoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ChicagoFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in ChicagoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in ChicagoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ChicagoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in ChicagoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in ChicagoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in ChicagoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in ChicagoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in ChicagoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ChicagoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in ChicagoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in ChicagoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in ChicagoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
26 dated listings so far, including Día de los Muertos Ofrenda at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (Nov 1), Día de los Muertos Workshops and Ofrenda Walk at Steelworkers Park (Nov 1), Día de los Muertos: Voyage of the Monarch Storytime (Nov 1) and Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (Nov 1). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (Nov 1), Día de los Muertos Workshops and Ofrenda Walk at Steelworkers Park (Nov 1), Día de los Muertos: Voyage of the Monarch Storytime (Nov 1), Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (Nov 1) and Kids Free Day at Chicago Children’s Museum (Nov 1), plus 10 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Chicago.
The Thanksgiving weekend page lists the parades and turkey trots, plus what’s open on Thursday and Friday.
9 start this November: Naper Settlement Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov 18), Schaumburg Holiday Market (Nov 21), Illumination (Nov 14 to Jan 2), Photos with Santa at ZooLights (Nov 20 to Dec 23) and ZooLights (Nov 20 to Jan 3), plus 4 more below.
Yes, at the same address. After Nov 30, 2026 it switches to November 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Chicago that weekend.
Christmas lights in Chicago