Family Field Trip 1-30
Chicago:
Chicago Children’s Museum Free Admission Day
Location: Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, 700 East Grand Avenue, Suite 127, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Website: https://mykidlist.com/event/chicago-childrens-museum-free-admission-day/2020-02-02/
Date/Time: 2/2, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm.
It’s the first Sunday of the month, so your children ages 15 and under receive free admission (adult tickets are $19 each).
Share-a-Language Storytime
Location: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Website: https://www.tplibrary.org/events/share-language-storytime-3144866
Date/Time: 2/1, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
You and your kids ages 3-8 might enjoy this drop-in event with songs and stories in Spanish from native Spanish speakers.
Movie-Screening: Penguins
Location: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr, Tinley Park, Illinois 60477, Tinley Park, United States
Website: https://www.tplibrary.org/events/movie-screening-3250655
Date/Time: 2/1, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Watch the Disney documentary Penguins with your kids at this drop-in event.
Northwest Indiana:
Read to the Dogs!
Location: Winfield Branch Library, 10771 Randolph St., Crown Point, IN 46307
Website: https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=3652&EventID=401960&PK=
Date/Time: 2/1, 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy time at the library with your children as they read books to Power Paws therapy dogs. Make sure you register in advance!
Guided Winter Hike
Location: Railway Depot, Gabis Arboretum, 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385
Website: https://www.pnw.edu/gabis-arboretum/my-calendar/?cid=my-calendar&mc_id=178
Date/Time: 2/2, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free winter hike at Gabis Arboretum, with hot chocolate afterward. You don’t even need to register!
Cabin Fever Festival/Groundhog Day
Location: Paul H Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 N Lake St, Gary, Indiana 46403 OR Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N State Road 49, Porter, Indiana 46304
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/3206122516128764/
Date/Time: 2/1, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Beat cabin fever and enjoy a day out with the family doing activities at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. Most activities are indoors such as free movies and music, but you can also join a ranger for an outdoor adventure hike.
Indianapolis:
Family Game Day at Southport
Location: Indianapolis Public Library- Southport Branch, 2630 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46227
Website: indianapolis.libnet.info/event/3729471
Date/Time: 2/1, 12:00 – 4:00 pm.
Drop in at any time with your kids (all ages invited!) to play board games, fix puzzles, and make new friends. The games and puzzles will be provided.
Owl Prowl
Location: Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech Street, Zionsville, IN 46077
Website: http://www.zionsville-in.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1662
Dates/Times: 2/1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy an outing with your family to learn about the owls in Zionsville as well as venture out with a naturalist to try and spot some. Dress warm!
Lansing:
Public Viewing at Fox Park Observatory
Location: Fox Park Public Observatory, 3979 E Gresham Hwy, Potterville, MI 48876
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/457230044971009/?event_time_id=457230071637673
Date/Time: 2/1, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
It’s a public viewing night at the observatory, and astronomers will be available to answer your questions about the night sky. Call ahead during public viewing hours for the sky conditions, and the cost is $2 per person or $5 per family.
Meridian Skates
Location: Suburban Ice, 2810 Hannah Blvd, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Website: https://lansingfamilyfun.com/events/meridian-skates-3/
Date/Time: 2/2, 5:00 – 6:20 p.m.
All are welcome for free skating at Suburban Ice, with a skate rental fee of $2.
Big Playdate: Candy!
Location: Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Dr, Lansing, Michigan 48917
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/457741188467205/
Date/Time: 2/1, starts at 10:30 a.m.
Experience life-size Candy Land and a Sugar Rush race track inspired by Wreck-it-Ralph, along with picking out books on Take Your Child to the Library Day!
We didn’t want to believe the news yesterday. To hear of Kobe and his daughter…it was tragic and unexpected. For those who have grown up watching Kobe’s basketball career and the impact he’s made for other young basketball players, and even knowing that his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died along with him, the news this weekend was tough to stomach for both adults and children. It’s not an easy conversation, but if you’re struggling for direction on how to help your child process the news and grieve the loss of their childhood hero, our good friend and pastor Jessie Spencer shares some advice with us.
Chicago:
Lakeshore’s Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning 2255 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643
Website: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/locator/chicago/029/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
At this free event, enjoy building a race car craft with your children!
Polar Adventure Day
Location: Northerly Island 1400 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago, Illinois
Website: chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/polar-adventure-days
Date/Time: 1/25, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
At this free event (with $3 parking), you can explore Northerly Island, make crafts, and see live animals including Siberian Huskies and wolves. If there’s snow, enjoy using snowshoes, and enjoy a winter treat as well.
Field Museum Sensory Saturday
Location: Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Website: https://www.chicagoautismnetwork.org/calendar/sensory-saturday
Date/Time: 1/25, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
It’s a free event with advance registration for families with young children, and activities include hands-on learning with sensory tools.
Northwest Indiana:
LaPorte Winterfest (Various events)
Location: Various locations
Website: https://panoramanow.com/events/laporte-winterfest/
Date/Time: 1/24-1/26, various events/times
Check out the website for multiple free family events, including ice sculpture demonstrations, family game night, breakfast with the birds, and making snow angels with the community!
Family Mug Night
Location: Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio, 2204 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN 46410
Website: https://app.getoccasion.com/xp/xNcSkLPB
Date/Time: 1/24, 7:00 p.m.
Paint a family mug together or everyone in the family can make one. Admission is free, but mug costs vary. Make sure you reserve your spot!
Learn to Draw Mickey & Minnie
Location: The Disney Store, Merrillville
Date/Time: 1/25, 3:00 p.m.
Families and children ages 3 and up can come together to learn to draw Mickey & Minnie!
Power Paws for Kids
Location: St. John Branch, Lake County Library, 9450 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373
Website: https://www.lcplin.org/event/3643536
Date/Time: 1/25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Families and children can read to certified therapy dogs, but make sure you register ahead.
Indianapolis:
Lakeshore’s Free Crafts for Kids
Location: Lakeshore Learning 1300 E. 86th St.Indianapolis, IN 46240
Website: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/locator/indianapolis/066/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
At this free event, enjoy building a race car craft with your children!
Owl Prowl Weekend
Location: Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, IN 46260
Website:
apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/Activity_Search/special-event-owl-prowl-weekend-holliday-park/16218
Dates/Times: 1/24-1/26, various times
Check out the website for various free events you can do with the family, including owl crafts, live animals, and a morning bird hike.
Lansing:
Family Activity Fair
Location: Williamston Community Pool & Fitness Center, 3939 Vanneter Road, Williamston, Michigan 48895
Website: facebook.com/events/2503242033225367/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
It’s a free event for the whole family, where you can enjoy food, games, and activities while exploring what local organizations offer in the community. Donations of underwear, socks, and toiletries are being collected for kids in need in Ingham County.
PBS Kids Day at WKAR
Location: WKAR Studio A, Communication Arts & Sciences Building, 404 Wilson Road, on the Michigan State campus (parking 1149 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, MI 48824)
Website: https://www.wkar.org/post/pbs-kids-day-wkar-2020#stream/0
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Enjoy this free event with many activities for kids like taking a photo with Clifford, enjoying a “green screen experience” as a meteorologist, and learning about STEM careers. A sensory-friendly room is also available.
Statehood Day Celebration
Location: Michigan History Museum, 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48915
Website: facebook.com/events/3035285349832237/
Date/Time: 1/25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This free celebration commemorates the individuals who were a part of Michigan’s statehood, and you can enjoy demonstrations involving wool and also churning butter. Other activities include visiting with the Kings 8th British Regiment and learning about tinsmithing.