Weekend of Fri, Oct 16 · Central Time

This weekend with kids in Chicago

13 family events from Friday to Sunday in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area. Each one links to the organizer’s page and shows when we last checked it — confirm the details there before you go.

Through Oct 25 · 10:00 AMBoo! at the Zoo with Dinos 2026Brookfield Zoo Chicago · All ages; Inflate-A-Boo is for ages 3–10. · Included with zoo admission; free admission for zoo members. General admission amount not verified.
Mon, Oct 12 · 10:00 AMFall Fest — Lincoln Park ZooLincoln Park Zoo · All ages · Free entry; attraction tickets $4.50 each, with bulk packages available
Through Nov 29 · 10:00 AMWhere Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos — Family Ofrenda VisitNational Museum of Mexican Art · All ages · Free public admission
Fri, Oct 16 · 5:30 PMPumpkin Night Hike for FamiliesFullersburg Woods Nature Education Center · All ages; under 18 with an adult. · $10/person ages 3+; ages 2 and younger free.
Wed, Oct 14 · 6:30 PMNight of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns 2026Chicago Botanic Garden · All ages · Advance off-peak starting rates: nonmember child ages 3–12 $17, adult $24; member child $13, adult $20. Ages 2 and younger free. Nonmember parking $15 advance or $25 onsite.
Fri, Oct 16 · 7:00 PMHocus Pocus — Campfire Movie at RidgeRidge Park · All ages; choose child suitability for optional scary attractions · Free outdoor PG-rated movie screening
Sat, Oct 17 · 9:30 AMItty Bitty Explorers: T. rex Teeth & TailsField Museum · Ages 3–5 with an adult caregiver · $40 nonmember / $35 member registration, including general admission for one child and caregiver
Sat, Oct 17 · 10:00 AMNorth Park Village Fall FestivalNorth Park Village Nature Center · All ages; choose child suitability for optional scary attractions · Free; no registration needed
Sat, Oct 17 · 11:00 AMShabbona Trunk or TreatShabbona Park · All ages; choose child suitability for optional scary attractions · Free community event
Sat, Oct 17 · 11:00 AMTeen Saturday Studio: Architectural PhotographyHarold Washington College · High school students in grades 9–12 · Free; advance registration required
Sat, Oct 17 · 1:30 PMField Favorites in ASLField Museum · Visitors interested in an American Sign Language tour; numeric age limits not published · Included with museum admission. Official guest general admission starts at $30; Chicago resident tickets start at $21. Illinois residents enter free on Wednesdays with residency proof. Members and children under 3 free; other eligible discounts apply. Choose the event date and visitor category for final pricing; special exhibition upgrades may cost extra.
Sat, Oct 17Open House Chicago — Family-Friendly Architecture WeekendParticipating Chicago buildings and community sites · All ages · Free public festival; separate optional experiences may have their own terms
Sat, Oct 17Spooky Zoo — Lincoln Park ZooLincoln Park Zoo · All ages · Free event; check separately ticketed Fall Fest attractions