More big outings

Sat, Oct 24 · 10am–5pm

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Big outing
Cost not listed

Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 10am–5pm

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Big outing
Cost not listed

Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗

Museums, gardens & more

Sat, Oct 24 · 2pm–5pm

Spooky Stories & S ’mores

Thatcher Woods Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more.

Ages 6-10
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sat, Oct 24 · 3pm

What’s On The Menu?

River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

Ages not listed
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sat, Oct 24 · 8pm

River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories

River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

River Trail’s annual scary storytelling around the campfire.

Ages 6-10
Under $15: $5

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 10:30am

The Un-Haunted Forest

River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery.

Ages 6-10
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 12pm–2pm

Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree

Caldwell Woods Wellness Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition.

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 12pm–4pm

Trunk or Treat

Eggers Grove — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce.

Ages 0-2
Ages 3-5
Ages 6-10
11+
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 1:30pm

Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk

Trailside Museum of Natural History — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.

Ages 6-10
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 1:30pm

The Un-Haunted Forest

River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery.

Ages 6-10
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Sun, Oct 25 · 3pm

What’s On The Menu?

River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

Ages not listed
Free

Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗

Library storytimes & programs (78, free)

From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Oct 23

10amBook Builders · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10amConstruction Crew Kids · Canaryville Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

10amFall Story Time · North Austin Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10amFilm Screening: Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) · Back of the Yards Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

10:30amFamily Fun with Musical Guest Laura Doherty · Lincoln Belmont Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

10:30amFamily Story Time · Rogers Park Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10:30amOpen Play Time · North Austin Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10:30amOpen Play Time · West Loop Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10:30amStory Time · Logan Square Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

11amHazte Amigo de Demencia · Little Village Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

11amQuilting · Austin Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

11amTiny Tots Story Time · Chicago Lawn Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

11:30amStory Time · Logan Square Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

1pmTeen Time · Rogers Park Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pm[TEENS CRAFTS, GAMES AND PLAY] · West Town Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmDrop-In Gaming Hours for Teens · Chicago Bee Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2:45pmYOUmedia Takeover · Wrightwood-Ashburn Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

3pmClassic Film Screening: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) · Lincoln Belmont Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

3pmLEGO® Club · Toman Library, Chicago 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

3pmTeen Checkers Open Play · Back of the Yards Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

3pmTeen Gaming · North Pulaski Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

4pmBuilding Challenges and Games · North Austin Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Saturday, Oct 24

9:30amTot Play Time · Garfield Ridge Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10amEl Domino: Games, Archives and Puerto Rico · Jefferson Park Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

10amFamily Story Time · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10amGrab and Go Kits: Chenille Stick Pumpkin Craft · Canaryville Library, Chicago 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

10amSaturday Morning Snuggles: Storytime at Austin · Austin Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10amSaturday Stories and Crafts · Bezazian Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

10:30amArt in the Library: Families Together · Garfield Ridge Library, Chicago 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

11amFilm Screening: Minions & Monsters (2026) · Independence Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

11amGamer's Universe Showdown Series · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 11+ · Free

11amGhostly Gatherings: Create Your Own Paranormal Portrait · Edgebrook Library, Chicago 6-10 · Free

11amMadhatters Story Time · Douglass Library, Chicago 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

11amMonster Rocks · Oriole Park Library, Chicago 6-10 · Free

11amOpen Play · South Shore Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

11amSaturday Story Time · Legler Regional Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

11amWTTW Kids Learn & Play · Dunning Library, Chicago 3-5 · Free

12pmFall Festival · Douglass Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pm6th Annual Spooktacular Saturday · Woodson Regional Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmCoding Club / Club de Programación · West Lawn Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmCraft Day: Fringe T-shirt · Woodson Regional Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

1pmCrochet Club 4 All · Greater Grand Crossing Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

1pmFilipino American History Month: Rooted in the Philippines, Created in Chicago · Albany Park Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

1pmFilm Screening: Minions & Monsters (2026) · Independence Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmKids Graphic Novel Book Club: Ghost Town · Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago 6-10 · Free

1pmLEGO® Family Challenge · Obama Presidential Center Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmRenaissance Project Presents LEGO® Club: Meet Dr. Leonidas Berry · West Lawn Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1pmWho Represents Me: Civics 101 · King Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

1:30pmTabletop Gaming Open Shop · Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmBilingual Story Time · Back of the Yards Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free

2pmBlack Panther Party History in Illinois: The South Side Story · Walker Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmCollege Essay Workshop · Beverly Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmHalloween Jewelry Extravaganza · Wrightwood-Ashburn Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmLEGO® Club · Douglass Library, Chicago 6-10 · Free

2pmLEGO® Club · Canaryville Library, Chicago 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

2pmLet's Play Magic: The Gathering · Humboldt Park Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmMeet Calvin B. Jones: Make a Mini-Mural · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmTeen Lit Author Panel: Terrifying Tales with K. Ancrum, Don Martin, and Markelle Grabo · Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmTween DIY Crafts · Garfield Ridge Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2:30pmDungeons & Dragons Club · Edgebrook Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2:30pmMake a Moveable Calavera Card with Circuitry · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 11+ · Free

2:30pmTween Monster Mash · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 11+ · Free

3pmFamily Birthday Story Time Celebration with Ms. My · Uptown Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

3pmFamily Film Screening: Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) · West Lawn Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

3:30pmChinatown Cultural Reads: The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li · Chinatown Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

3:30pmOperation Halloween · Austin Library, Chicago 6-10 · Free

Sunday, Oct 25

1pmSeed Library Volunteer Day · Humboldt Park Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1:30pmA Quilt is a Poem That We Say Again: Opening Reception · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1:30pmClothing Swap · Logan Square Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1:30pmDungeons & Dragons Club · Lincoln Belmont Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

1:30pmFilm Screening: Casper (1995) · Scottsdale Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

1:30pmOpen House: New Acquisitions to the Northside Neighborhood History Collection · Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmDia de Muertos: Pinatas Design Studio · North Austin Library, Chicago 11+ · Free

2pmFamily Film Screening: Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (2025) · West Lawn Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

2pmFamily Film Screening: The Addams Family (2019) · Back of the Yards Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

2pmFilm Screening: The Addams Family 2 (2021) · Pullman Library, Chicago 6-10 · 11+ · Free

2pmKidCinema: Scared Shrekless · North Pulaski Library, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free

3pmParachute Play · Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago 0-2 · 3-5 · Free