Happy December, winter is on its way! Here are a few great family-friendly things to take the kids to enjoy in Chicago this month.
1. Take the kids to their first Chicago Blackhawks Game
What better way to celebrate winter and cold with your little budding sports fan than with ice and rubber and steel! The energy of the fans, players, music and announcers in the arena will surely get your kiddo psyched up for the winter season. Going to an NHL game makes for an unforgettable evening and wonderful childhood memory for kids.
Even if you’re not a Blackhawks fan, you can check in and see if your team is going to be visiting and head to that game to boost your little one’s team spirit! Calgary, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, San Jose, Nashville, Florida, and Minnesota will all be visiting Chicago this month so get your tickets while they’re hot.
And of course even if you’re not a hockey fan, the beloved Chicago Bulls will be playing multiple games at home this month!
2. Enjoy the Juicebox Series
This free pre-lunchtime event, held every first and third Friday and Saturday at the Chicago Cultural Center or Garfield Park Conservatory, will get the kids feeling creative and excited with the music, dancing and theatrics of these events.
In December, there will be the following performers:
From the City of Chicago website:
Bollywood Groove
11-11:45am
Friday, December 7
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
Saturday, December 8
Garfield Park Conservatory, Horticulture Hall, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
“A Bollywood dance, fitness and entertainment company offering 35 classes throughout the Chicagoland area. Their kids’ program teaches children about the different regions of India, including the language, culture, and of course…dance.”
Jodi Koplin
11-11:45am
Friday, December 21
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St.
Saturday, December 22
Garfield Park Conservatory, Horticulture Hall, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
“For over 25 years, Jodi Koplin has been spreading the jigglejoy at concerts and youth music classes. Get ready to wiggle, jiggle and giggle to Jodi’s fantastic interactive original music along with your favorite tunes.”
3. Attend one of Chicago’s many beloved annual Holiday Events
Chicago’s undoubtedly one of the best places to be all the time, but especially around holiday time. We detailed some of these fun Things to Do With Kids in Chicago in December events last year, and they’ll all be back around this year! Here are a few of the fun things you can look forward to doing this December if you didn’t catch it last year:
– Going to see the City of Chicago’s Christmas Tree in Millennium Park
– Enjoying the beautiful Holiday Windows at Macy’s on State Street
– Going to play at the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
– Experiencing the Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science and Industry
– Marveling at the ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo or Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum, a mile-long path of dancing lights set to a recording of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing The Nutcracker
– Strolling through the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza
– Caroling and other holiday activities at Millennium Park
There are so many fun things to do in Chicago in winter, so grab the family and a hot cocoa and go have a blast!