Chicago family weekend planner

Things to do with kids this weekend in Chicago (October 9–11)

Updated October 10, 2026

The weekend of October 9–11 in Chicago brings Mushroom Walk at Eggers Grove (Friday) and Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo (Friday). Every listing comes from the organizer's own calendar, with times, venues, and official links — free ones are marked.

Weekend snapshot

17dated family events

10likely free options

Plan a 3-stop day with FamHop Full weekend guide

Family events in Chicago this weekend: October 9–11

Friday, October 9

3 events · 1 free · already happened

9:00 AM
Mushroom Walk

Eggers Grove · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join us for a fun fungal walk as we search for mushrooms and learn about these fascinating organisms.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Official ↗
12:00 PM, 12:15 PM, 12:30 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM & 8:00 PM
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

The Fields Studios · Chicago · Ages 3–12
Official ↗

Saturday, October 10

10 events · 7 free

6:30 AM
Early Morning: The Pokémon Fossil Museum

Field Museum · Chicago · Ages 5–12

children family kids museum science art workshop
Official ↗
9:30 AM
Underground Railroad Tour

John Husar I&M Canal Bicycle Trail Parking Lot · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Tour includes info about the historical significance of this corridor.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 10:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:15 PM, 12:30 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM & 8:00 PM
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

The Fields Studios · Chicago · Ages 3–12
Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Colors Paddle

Tower Road Boat Launch · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Enjoy fall color while paddling Skokie Lagoons.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Tree Walk

Deer Grove-West · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify trees in the fall.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Hispanic Heritage Paddle

Powderhorn Lake · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join Friends of the Chicago River for bilingual bird paddling and storytelling on the water.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Nature Wellness Walk

Sauk Trail Woods-Central · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer!
Free Official ↗
11:00 AM
Wellness in the Woods: Yoga

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join us for a free 60-minute class focused on building stability, flexibility, and relaxation through the practices of breath-work, mindful movement, and meditation.
Free Official ↗
1:00 PM
Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop

Evans Field · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.
Free Official ↗

Sunday, October 11

4 events · 2 free

9:30 AM
Sunday Market at Jefferson

Jefferson · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 10:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:15 PM, 12:30 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM & 7:00 PM
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

The Fields Studios · Chicago · Ages 3–12
Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Official ↗
1:00 PM
Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop

Palos Park Woods-North · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.
Free Official ↗

Coming up in Chicago

Sunday Market at Jefferson — October 11 · Jefferson
Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop — October 11 · Palos Park Woods-North
Indigenous Peoples' Day — October 12 · Field Museum

Things to do with kids this weekend in Chicago (October 9–11)

Weekend snapshot

Family events in Chicago this weekend: October 9–11

Friday, October 9

Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

Saturday, October 10

Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

Fall Colors Paddle

Fall Fest

Sunday, October 11

Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

Fall Fest

Coming up in Chicago