Category: Things to do with kids in Illinois

Chicago is known for is its robust and long-lasting folk-music scene, and there’s no better place to get your children acquainted with the genre than at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Kids’ events are held year-round, featuring some of the city’s finest strummers and crooners, all offering fun, sing-along type jams, palatable to children of all ages and the parents who love them. Free and frequent “Wiggleworms” events provide fun activities for toddler-children with the same lively musical backdrop; classes and workshops are also offered through the school if your children are struck with post-concert inspiration.

Contact number: (773) 728-6000

Location: 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625

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Young horse enthusiasts will be awestruck by these breathtaking animals’ tricks and performances. Trained and brought over from different parts of the globe, beautiful stallions, Spanish-Andalusian, and Egyptian-Arabian horses delight and entertain year-round and in seasonal shows like Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Nutcracker. It all takes place in an elegantly appointed theater that was built in 1871 and is now Chicago’s last performing-horse theater. If the children are thoroughly amazed after the show, you can book a carriage ride through the city, pulled by an equally magnificent equus.

Contact number: (312) 266-7878

Location:1410 North Orleans Street, Chicago, IL 60610

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This theater company produces colorful and wildly entertaining live performances for children, ages 2 to 12. Each play is adapted from a classic fairy tale and updated to match your children’s frame of pop-culture reference, making a show here the perfect primer for your budding theater buffs. Performances are held all year long at different venues in the Chicago area.

Contact number: (773) 205-9600

Location: 4104 North Nashville Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634

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This Chicago institution brings on such legendary headliners as Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, who take the stage in late August. The Chicago Jazz Festival is one of the most extensive free jazz festivals in the world and features the work of pioneers like Duke Ellington, as well as the contemporary piano stylings of giants like Herbie Hancock. The four-day festival also incorporates an art fair and Chicago’s world famous restaurants to harmonize with all your senses. And for your children, making its debut is an all new kids activity area to occupy them mind, body, and soul.

Contact number: (312) 774-3315

Location:300 South Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60604

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Immerse your children in the rich history of Chicago gospel music at the city’s outdoor festival. If gospel speaks to your soul, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will lift your spirits with the delivery of artists like The Clark Sisters and Darius Brooks. A musical tradition dating from the early 1920s, gospel’s rich heritage is as infectious as it is inspirational; at the show, you and your children will find yourselves rising to your feet in celebration. The event is now in its 24th year and features more than 50 performers during its three days, with three stages of music and activities for all ages. Children will love the Gospel Youth Tent — a stage dedicated to the youth choir, gospel rap, and drum line.

Contact number: (312) 744-3315

Location:210 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601

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This festival has drawn headliners to Chicago’s stage, including Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Wynonna, Randy Travis, and Loretta Lynn. The three performance stages and dance tent are sure to feature performances that will delight. With activities, including square dancing and karaoke, the children will be hootin’ and hollerin’ with the best of ’em. If that isn’t enough, the festival also has a Kid Corral with special programs like kids’ crafts, storytelling, and a mural that your children can color. Wiggleworm instructors from The Old Town School of Folk Music will be on hand to lead interactive sing-alongs, too.

Contact number: (312) 744-3315

Location:425 East Mcfetridge Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

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If you’re looking for the home of the blues, look no further than Sweet Home Chicago. The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest of the city’s outdoor music events, drawing nearly 750,000 blues’ fans during its four days to enjoy the event’s six stages of performances. Now in its 25th year, the mid-June festival attracts the biggest names in blues, from the Queen (Koko Taylor) to the legendary (B.B.) King himself. Whether you’re a resident or just a passer-through, introducing yourself and the children to the culture of Chicago means listening to blues, and this free concert festival is just the ticket.

Contact number: (312) 744-3315

Location: 300 South Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60601

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Among Chicago’s authorities on live shows for children, the Chicago Children’s Theater and its self-proclaimed mission, to “inspire young people and families to lead lives of adventure, courage, and curiosity,” is fully realized in its high-quality, brilliantly executed, and thoroughly entertaining plays and musicals. Both you and your children will be dazzled by the stories, intricate costumes, sets, and lighting design, guaranteeing many visits in the future.

Contact number: (773) 227-0180

Location: 1464 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

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The aptly named That’s Weird, Grandma is a great show to take your children to see. The show is the product of the Barrel of Monkeys team that teaches creative writing to Chicago public school students, then adapts the writing into a critically acclaimed assortment of scenes and songs. The result is a barrel of laughs, and the entire show is safe for all ages.

 

Contact number: (312) 409-1954

Location: 5153 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640

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