25 things to do in the Chicago area with the kids this winter

MAGGIE DALEY PARK’S SKATING RIBBON

The gentle zigs and zags of Maggie Daley Park’s skating ribbon make this the city’s favorite ice rink: It undulates around the park’s climbing wall, offering ever-changing views of the skyline. Got your own skates? Bring ’em and skip the lines to rent. Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph St. Free admission; $13-$15 for skate rental. maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/skating-ribbon

SLEDDING IN THE FOREST PRESERVES

One of the perks of winter in Cook County is zooming down the gently sloping hills in the forest preserves. Another perk? Four locations — Dan Ryan Woods and Caldwell Woods at either end of the city; Swallow Cliff Woods in Palos Park; and Westchester Woods in Westchester — have lights on the hill, so you can keep the sledding fun going despite the early sunsets. The four forest-preserve hills are open until 7:30 or 8:30 p.m., depending on whether it’s a school night — and, of course, if there’s enough snow. Free. Bring your own sled, but not the kind with metal rails. Check site for hotlines to check on snow conditions and sledding status. fpdcc.com/things-to-do/sledding

FARM LIFE IN WINTER

A sort of time machine that takes visitors back to the 1890s, historic Kline Creek Farm offers a melange of cold-weather activities with its Farm Life in Winter program. The afternoon drop-in programming changes (look for the schedule on the farm’s Facebook page); pursuits range from harvesting ice on Timber Lake to meeting baby lambs to taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride (4 inches of snow required). 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, Jan. 2 to Feb. 29 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. $5 admission, free for children under 3; sleigh rides cost $5 for ages 5 and up. https://tinyurl.com/qovnv69

DCM’S FAMILY PLAYSHOP

DuPage Children’s Museum popular program for families with infants or toddlers (up to 35 months) takes place three times this winter. In weekly sessions, Family PlayShop specialists introduce activities designed to increase learning development, both at the museum and at home. PlayShop runs in four-week sessions 9:15-10:15 a.m. Wednesdays. Sessions begin Jan. 8, Feb. 5 and March 4; register early. DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $60 per adult-child pair. dupagechildrens.org/family-fun/family-playshop/

BEAT KITCHEN’S CONCERTS FOR KIDS

Whether you need a cure for winter blues or just a fun excuse to get out of the house with the kids on the weekend, Beat Kitchen’s kindie-rock concert series has your back. The lineup for early 2020 kicks off Jan. 5 with a special WinterFest featuring four acts. After that, it continues with noon concerts featuring one musician or band every Sunday through March 29. (The series continues into the spring, but not always weekly.) Highlights include: Animal Farm, Jan. 26; Music for New People, Feb. 2; Mr. Nick, March 1; and Miss Jamie From the Farm, March 15. At Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave. $7. https://tinyurl.com/r2exxnk

BLACKHAWKS HOCKEY CLINICS

The Chicago Park District teams up with the Blackhawks for a series of no-charge clinics, with ice skates, equipment and instruction all provided — plus a complimentary Blackhawks jersey to take home. The hourlong sessions are open to kids with skating experience, divided by age groups: 5-8 or 9-12. Register online to participate in the clinics, held Wednesday afternoons or Saturday mornings, Jan. 8 through Feb. 8, at various park district ice rinks, ranging from Warren Park on the North Side to Wentworth Park on the South Side. Free. https://tinyurl.com/yx2d4tgl

‘BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB’

We stan anything that encourages kids to read — like this Lifeline adaptation of “Bunny’s Book Club,” the acclaimed picture book by Annie Silvestro and Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Bunny admires librarians and loves books, which is great; but she worries that she and her furry friends aren’t allowed in the library. What happens when Bunny, Bear, Porcupine and others start their own book club? Find out at this Rogers Park theater, with four shows every weekend, Jan. 11 through Feb. 16: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. $15. Lifeline offers an audio-description and touch-tour performance Jan. 18; open captioning Jan. 19; and a sensory-friendly show Feb. 1. https://tinyurl.com/w5b2wfl

‘CASTLE’

Throw back to ancient times of wizards and knights, towers and tunnels! The magical “Castle” exhibit encourages imagination and interactive play, whether your little one takes the throne, keeps busy in the kitchen, or leads an adventure across the rope bridge. Opens Jan. 24 at Chicago Children’s Museum (at Navy Pier), 700 E. Grand Ave. $19, free for infants under one; $3 discounts for Chicago-area residents with ID. First Sundays each month are free admission for ages 15 and under; Play Late Thursdays cost $15 per group (up to four people) 4-8 p.m. chicagochildrensmuseum.org

MOUNT HOY SNOW TUBING

The trip down Mount Hoy is a zippy one: 800 feet from top to bottom. And as long as it’s covered in three or more inches of snow, you’re welcome to rent a tube and zoom down. (If that sounds too speedy for you, hike within Blackwell Forest Preserve on snowshoes instead.) The hill is open 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. weekends and holidays through Feb. 23; tube rentals end at 3:30 p.m. At Blackwell Forest Preserve, Butterfield Road between Winfield Road and Route 59, Warrenville. $10 rental per tube. https://tinyurl.com/y9nox4et

‘DRAGONS ALIVE!’

An exhibit imported from Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, “Dragons Alive! The Science and Culture of Reptiles” gives families the chance to interact and learn about some oddly charming creatures. Meet a crocodile monitor, a jeweled lacerta, and even a couple of species officially named “dragon” (but not the animated Toothless variety). The exhibit opens Feb. 1 and runs through Aug. 23 at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. $9, $7 for students, $6 for kids 3-12. naturemuseum.org

BOBBY HULL COMMUNITY ICE RINK

The west ’burbs have one of the biggest wintertime draws for families inclined to hit the ice. Named for the Chicago Blackhawks star of the 1960s, Cicero’s regulation-size outdoor rink offers a range of frozen fun, including skating lessons, opens skates and the chance to practice skills like stick-and-puck. Visit the rink’s Facebook page for schedule details. Bobby Hull Community Ice Rink, 3400 S. 53rd Ave., Cicero. $5 for open skate, $3 skate rental; cash only. (Discounts for Cicero residents.) facebook.com/bobbyhullcommunityicerink

‘DISNEY ON ICE: ROAD TRIP ADVENTURES’

This year’s touring edition of “Disney on Ice” (that bizarre subgenre of show business that adds ice skates to a musical revue) features a gliding Mickey and Minnie Mouse as MCs, taking their audience on a tour to meet a wide range of familiar characters, including Moana, Simba and Aladdin. Catch it Jan. 23-26 and again Feb. 6-9 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; or Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. $20-$100. disneyonice.com/road-trip-adventures

‘THE ENCHANTED RAILROAD’

The Morton Arboretum’s annual exhibit of toy trains returns in mid-January, right when you and the kids could use a boost of whimsy to enliven the winter. The interactive display runs on two levels, which means even little ones should be able to see some locomotive action without difficulty. “Enchanted Railroad” entry is timed, but the cost is included with general admission. Registration for special sensory-friendly times opens Jan. 6. The railroad chugs along daily, Jan. 17 through Feb. 23 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15, $10 for kids 2-17; $10/$7 on Wednesdays; free parking. mortonarb.org/events/enchanted-railroad

‘CHICAGO’S NIGHT SKY’

Chicago area skies are never truly dark, which is part of the point of the Adler’s brand-new permanent exhibit. Visitors learn about mitigating light pollution, including demos of different kinds of streetlights, and how the night sky unifies people across the globe. Kids will dig the interactive station that lets them digitally draw their own constellation on a star map, as well as taking a “ride” inside the museum’s decades-old Atwood Celestial Sphere (for a $5 surcharge). The exhibit is included with general admission at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. $19, $8 for kids 3-11; admission is free for Illinois residents Jan. 7-9, 20-22; Feb. 4-6, 11-13, 17-20; and March 9-12. adlerplanetarium.org/events/chicagos-night-sky/

‘THE MOUSETRAP’

Agatha Christie defined the classic template for a trapped-house mystery with a few novels and this legendary play. For the stage, Christie baited her snowbound-manor trap with inscrutable guests, then released a nursery-song-whistling killer. The show holds the record for longest theatrical run, going strong in London for nearly seven decades! Find out why it’s so popular when The Court Theatre welcomes back inventive director Sean Graney, who aims to reinvigorate a plot that’s been endlessly copied. Middle- and junior-high-schoolers should love it. Jan. 16 through Feb.16 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. $28.50-$84. https://tinyurl.com/rbzowgm

‘ONCE ON THIS ISLAND’

Tony-winning composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty are better known for “Ragtime” and “Seussical,” but their best musical is actually this sumptuous fable about noble peasants, dubious aristocrats and a pantheon of Caribbean deities. The Broadway tour brings 2018’s Tony-winning production, recommended for ages 5 and up, to Chicago for a nearly two-week run. Jan. 21 through Feb. 2 at Cadillac Palace, 151 W. Randolph St. $21-$96. broadwayinchicago.com/show/once-on-this-island/

THE ORCHID SHOW

We can’t think of a more vibrant escape from winter doldrums than the Botanic Garden’s annual Orchid Show. Escape to the lush greenhouses, packed with more than 10,000 otherworldly blooms that magically appear in Glencoe for a few weeks every winter. This year, the Garden promises an evolution in the show, achieved by placing the orchids in striking settings that reflect and enhance their many hues. Daily Feb. 8 through March 22. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. $12, $10 for kids 3-12; plus $20-25 for parking. chicagobotanic.org/orchid

'FANTASTIC BUG ENCOUNTERS!’

It might sound like a nightmare for entomophobes, but this don’t-miss museum showpiece from Down Under focuses on the wonder and beauty of the insect world. With set pieces, lighting, music and sound effects that rival big-budget theatrical productions, “Fantastic Bug Encounters” draws visitors into four self-contained stations, each focusing on a particular insect: mantis, dragonfly, bee and wasp. The exhibit’s jaw-dropping giant models were created by New Zealand’s Te Papa museum, working in conjunction with the Oscar-winning special-effects studio Weta Workshop. Meanwhile, the plethora of smaller interactive stations include a live-insect petting zoo (easily avoided if you’re nervous) and a “flight test zone” wind tunnel for paper airplanes that kids will love. Daily through April 19 at The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. $32, $28 for students with ID, $23 for kids 3-11 (includes general admission); Chicago residents save $5 or more. tinyurl.com/y2fqkjda

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S THEATRE SHOWS

It’s a busy winter for the always-marvelous Chicago Children’s Theatre, which mounts two shows to lure you out of hibernation. Learn about the four seasons in “Wake Up, Brother Bear!” with two huggable bears (and one musician) as your guide. That show runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 16; access weekend is Feb. 8-9, with performances specially geared for family members who are blind, deaf or on the spectrum. In late February, “Red Kite, Brown Box” returns — the latest of CCT’s programs 100 percent tailored to kids with autism, their caregivers and siblings. This edition of “Red Kite” explores the creative ways to transform cardboard boxes into anything you can dream up; performances begin Feb. 29. At The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. “Brother Bear”: $20-$32. “Red Kite”: $10. chicagochildrenstheatre.org/1920season

‘WIRED TO WEAR’

Take a seat, “Project Runway”! This Museum of Science and Industry exhibit is packed with cutting-edge fashion, but it focuses on technology over color and pattern. Check out a “spider-sense” vest, an actual jet suit, programmable backpacks and more. An additional timed ticket is required, but MSI offers a whopping 31 free days for Illinois residents during the first two months of 2020, which makes the exhibit much more affordable. Free days are every Monday through Thursday, Jan. 6 through Feb. 27. (That list includes MLK Day, Jan. 20, but excludes Presidents Day, Feb. 17.) Through May 3 at MSI, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive. Typically $34, $22 for kids 3-11 ($3-$5 discount for Chicago residents), which includes general museum admission; but just $9-$12 per person for timed “Wired to Wear” tickets on Illinois Resident Free Days. tinyurl.com/y3w6xseu

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE

National Geographic fans already know about the specialness of the “NatGeo Live” series, hosted by Roosevelt University’s Auditorium Theatre in the South Loop. The giant screen highlights the magazine’s legendary visuals, but best of all, the audience hears directly from the explorer journalists. Three events remain in the current series, starting with “On the Trail of Big Cats,” with photographer Steve Winter at 3 p.m. Jan. 26. The series continues with March 10 with “Adventures Among Orangutans” and concludes May 5 with “Ocean Soul.” At the Auditorium, 50 E. Congress Parkway. $42-$54; $5 day-of-show tickets for teens registered for Urban Gateways’ Teen Arts Pass. Or subscribe to all three NatGeo Live presentations and save 20% off the single-ticket price. https://tinyurl.com/v9dx2s3

WINTER WONDERLAND ICE RINK

Haven’t gotten your fill of the brisk cold hitting your face as you practice your double salchows and triple lutzes on the ice? Don’t worry! The Village of Orland Park’s rink is open seven days a week, starting at 4 p.m. weekdays and noon weekends. (Extended hours during school holidays.) The rink offers free helmet rentals, plus a warming house for those who prefer to cheer from the sidelines. Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, 15600 West Avenue and Fun Drive, Orland Park. Free to skate; $3 for skate rental. orlandpark.org/services/parks/ice-rink

ONCE UPON A SYMPHONY

Introduce little ones (ages 3-5) to the symphony with this inventive, interactive performance series with music, designed for pre-K kids. A small Chicago Symphony Orchestra ensemble teams up with theater artists to tell two different tales this winter. In February, discover a Brazilian fable about a poor boy’s journey with his violin; in March, watch Jack climb up that dangerous beanstalk. At 10 or 11:45 a.m. Feb. 8 or March 7 at Symphony Center’s Buntrock Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. $17, or $30 for both concerts. https://tinyurl.com/tz8fksw

‘ARCTIC TUNDRA’

Come visit Siku, Lincoln Park Zoo’s polar bear, during his favorite season: winter! Visitors can check out the big guy from above — overlooking the winding stream, waterfall and multiple pools — or from an underwater area, where a glass wall allows you to watch him swim. “Arctic Tundra” is also designed to teach about the dangers of climate change, both in person and on the habitat’s home page. Visit anytime; the zoo is open 365 days a year. At LPZ, 2001 N. Clark St. Free. lpzoo.org/exhibit/walter-family-arctic-tundra

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Observe international holidays with full flair without ever leaving the city! That’s the fun of the three-part Global Connections series, which brings the music, dance, art and cuisine from countries such as China, Brazil and India to Navy Pier. The all-ages afternoon celebrations are once per month in the winter: Jan. 25 for Chinese New Year; Feb. 23 for Carnivale; and March 14 for Holi. The parties take place under the 80-foot domed ceiling of the Aon Grand Ballroom, at the eastern end of Navy Pier, 840 E. Grand Ave. Free. https://tinyurl.com/r2gtp5e

Web Behrens is a freelance reporter.