Fun Things to Do with the Family in Chicago this October

October is here – are you ready to mark your calendar with all the fun things you can do with the family this month? There’s plenty going on so grab your marker.

Check out some of these fun family-friendly offerings in and around Chicago this October!

Usher in October at the Parkway Bank Park Family Fest

Parkway Bank Park hosts a fun free Family Fest with all the classics such as face painting, balloon sculpting, a magician, bounce houses, a petting zoo, plus pumpkin painting and the fun children’s band Scribblemonster. Family Fest will be October 5, from 1-5p.

Celebrate apples and fall at the the Ravenswood Apple Fest

The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest celebrates its 32nd year celebrating the great apple with apple pie, hot apple cider, candy apples, and whole bushels of apples that you can take home with you for the family to eat all week. Live music and the Leland Avenue Kids Zone makes it fun for the whole family. Go check it out October 5 and 6.

Go enjoy the Scarecrow Fest

This unique, fun event showcases more than 50 handcrafted scarecrows entered in hopes of winning the title “Best of Show” at the Scarecrow Fest. It’s a full day of fall fun for all ages with a carnival, arts and crafts show, and a petting zoo. You and the kids will even have an opportunity to make a scarecrow yourselves to protect your own home garden! Scarecrow Fest runs October 11-13.

Go visit Peppa the Pig while she’s in town for one day only

Peppa Pig Live! Peppa’s Adventure will be on the Chicago Theater Stage for one night (and afternoon) only on October 12, with shows at 12p and 4p. Peppa and her friends Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe are getting ready to go with George on a fun camping trip to the woods. Their adventures are full of laughter, games, and live music. Don’t miss the chance to take your little one to see their favorite pig live and in “person”!

Attend the Chicago Camp Fire Festival

This great day-long fall festival at Chase Park (4701 N Ashland Ave) has a corn maze, pumpkin patch, campfires and ghost stories, s’mores, and live music for the whole family. The festival is October 14, from 2-11pm, priced at $9-$13.

Check out the Dia de Muertos exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art

If you and your family enjoyed the movie Coco, you’ll love this. The exhibit opened September 20 and showcases traditional and contemporary artworks that will teach you and your little ones about the long tradition of honoring lost loved ones. Get your learning on with family workshops, free sugar skull demonstrations, and toddler days. The exhibit runs until December 8; go on October 27 for the museum’s Day of the Dead Xicágo.

Be wowed by the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns

The model railroad has its Halloween gear on, and you and the family can come marvel at it and the more than 1,000 pumpkins (some as big as 150 pounds!) that are amazingly intricately hand-carved and lit up throughout the beautiful gardens. The event is on October 16-20 and October 23-27, from 6:30-10:30 pm.

Happy October!

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