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💙 We’re a team of local moms who find the best family fun in Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs
👇 Events calendar, seasonal guides, email newsletter

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Wondering what to do today, or this weekend? That’s where Kidlist comes in.

Our Weekend Planner and Events Calendar are updated every week to help you find fun things to do in the west and northwest suburbs. We also create seasonal guides packed with events and key details like opening dates, pricing, and what to expect when you go.

See something you’re interested in? You can add events directly to your own personal calendar so you never forget!

Between our website calendar, weekly Weekend Planner article, and regular social posts, planning family time gets a whole lot easier.

👉 Comment CALENDAR and we'll send you a link directly to what's going on today! by @kidlist

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10 months ago

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We don’t just list places. We go there!

Kidlist is a team of local moms who visit spots around Chicagoland to give you the inside scoop. We share tips for your visit, what to bring, age recommendations, special accommodations, and the things we’d want to know before going with our own kids.

We often write about places before they open to the public and love finding hidden gems you might not hear about anywhere else too.

Our website is updated daily so you can trust that what you’re reading is current, helpful, and written like a friend giving you advice.

👉 Comment MAP and we'll send you our map of places to go with links to so many helpful articles with ideas for your next adventure! by @kidlist

10 months ago

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10 months ago

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Naperville has a seriously foggy Halloween secret 🫣…and you can find it on our South Naperville driving route!

This is The Fog Bog at 225 Ridgefield Lane 👻 Since 2018, this spooky yard has grown from one fog machine to 10+ fog machines and misters creating a sea of low-lying fog. Experience the vortex tunnel, Hocus Pocus props and keep an eye out for full-size candy bars, too! 🍫

And why stop at one house when there are SO many more to explore? 👀

🎃 Our Best Decorated Halloween House Guide features 33 driving routes and 288 displays, curated by local moms, all verified with homeowners! ☑️ We use actual driving distances to help you see more amazing houses and spend less time in the car! 🚘

👉 Comment HOUSE to plan your house hopping adventure for this weekend! 🔗 taken in Naperville, Illinois by @kidlist

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7 hours ago

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💛 Every kid deserves a chance to play 💛

From adaptive sports and creative classes to social clubs and inclusive park district programs, there are so many opportunities for kids of all abilities to play, learn, and connect ♿🫶

👉 Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up adaptive classes and inclusive programs across the Chicago suburbs to help you find options that might be a great fit for your family!

✨ Comment EVERYONE for the full guide including local programs, activities, and resources! 🔗 by @kidlist

19 hours ago

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$Pro hockey, fireworks, flames shooting up on the ice, and a crowd that goes all out. The Chicago Wolves play in the AHL, have won 5 championships, and you can go for a fraction of NHL prices. Fans of all ages cheer them on. The themed nights are where it gets really fun: 🧙 Oct 24: Wizards ‘N Witches Night, with magic and character meet-and-greets 🎃 Oct 31: Howl-O-Ween. Come in costume and trick-or-treat on the concourse 🧸 Dec 12: Teddy Bear Toss 💡 Jan 2: Glow Game 🦸 Jan 9: Superhero Night ⭐ Feb 13: Star Wars Night Plus 14 Family Sundays with a Kids Zone and postgame autographs (the next one is this Sunday, Oct 18), and free postgame skating after select games. Comment WOLVES and we’ll send you the link for tickets and the full schedule! taken in Allstate Arena- Rosemont, IL by @kidlist$

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a day ago

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🎃 Ready for a weekend full of spooky fun? 👻 We’ve rounded up the best things to do with kids, from Halloween thrills to festive family outings!

Here are two events you don't want to miss:

🧟 ScareWalk | @wooddaleparks | October 17
Get ready for a spooky walk filled with glowing pumpkins, witches, and Halloween surprises! Have little ones? The family-friendly hour from 5–6 PM offers a less-scary experience, while the later hours bring bigger frights!

🥞 BOO! Brunch at @brookfieldzoo | October 24
Enjoy a Halloween-themed buffet, Witches’ Brew Lemonade, spooky photo ops, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and more. 👉 Use code KIDLIST at checkout through October 18 to get 50% off one child ticket when purchasing an adult ticket (while tickets last).

🛍️ @rhealanasofschaumburg | Schaumburg
Shop this huge children’s consignment event for 60–90% off retail on gently used clothing (infant–teen), shoes, toys, books, baby gear, nursery items, and more! The event is open to the public October 18–23, with special pre-sale shopping October 16–17. ✨ Use code KIDLIST for $5 off Platinum and Gold tickets!

💭 Comment WEEKEND and we'll send you details for all 185 events! 🔗 by @kidlist

2 days ago

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With a dip in temperatures on the way, we thought this would be helpful...it's our HUGE list of indoor play places! 🎉

From climbing and imaginative play to hands-on activities for curious little minds, there are SO many ways to burn off energy indoors around Chicagoland. Save this guide for your next playdate or when you need an easy outing! 🔖

✨ Two must-visit spots for your list:

💦 @dupagechildrens | Naperville: Splash, build, create, and explore with hands-on exhibits that turn learning into an adventure for the whole family!

🌲 Cubhouse Indoor Playground | @parkdistoakpark: A forest-themed play space for little ones to climb, explore, and let their imaginations run wild.

📍 Looking for the perfect spot for your crew? Our MASTER list of indoor play areas has all the details you need, including pricing, recommended ages, features, and more, so you can find the right fit for your family.

👉 Comment INDOOR and we'll message you the link! 🔗 by @kidlist

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3 days ago

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🎃 The display with the most votes wins free gutter guard installation from @homeheroroofing, plus the clout of being voted most popular by all of you! 🏆

HOW TO VOTE
Comment the display name on Facebook, Instagram, and/or TikTok. One vote per person per platform. Voting ends Oct 26 at 9pm, and we’ll announce the winner Oct 27.

THE FINALISTS (in slide order)

1️⃣ Twisted Timber Gardens
📍 28W016 Timber Ln, West Chicago
🚗 Route: Carol Stream
Spooky scenes along multiple paths

2️⃣ Reaper Dance Party
📍 5235 Park Ave, Downers Grove
🚗 Route: Downers Grove
Skeleton band, dance floor, fog bubbles, talking parrot

3️⃣ Ryan’s Scaregrounds on Silverside
📍 20028 Silverside Dr, Tinley Park
🚗 Route: Far South
Corner lot packed with animatronics

4️⃣ The Haunted Mansion on Homestead
📍 836 Homestead Rd, La Grange Park
🚗 Route: La Grange
Blacklit mansion recreation with interactive buttons

5️⃣ Tadelman’s Spooktacular Asylum
📍 988 Providence Ln, Buffalo Grove
🚗 Route: North Suburbs
Clap to activate animatronics, with a kid-height table

6️⃣ Invasions Halloween Haunt
📍 541 Sycamore Dr, Elk Grove Village
🚗 Route: Schaumburg
100% UV-reactive aliens, UFOs, and pumpkins

7️⃣ The Fog Bog
📍 225 Ridgefield Ln, Naperville
🚗 Route: South Naperville
10+ fog machines and a vortex tunnel. Sensory-friendly visits on request

8️⃣ Canyon Trail Cemetery
📍 371 Canyon Trail, Carol Stream
🚗 Route: Carol Stream
House wrapped like a haunted house, motion-activated props

9️⃣ The Haunted Woods of Farnham Ln
📍 104 W Farnham Ln, Wheaton
🚗 Route: Glen Ellyn-Wheaton
Walk-through skeleton scenes, no gore.

🔟 Haunted Graveyard of 218
📍 218 N Pioneer Dr, Addison
🚗 Route: Addison
Talking witches, giant skeleton chicken, skeleton graveyard

HOW THEY BECAME FINALISTS
Homeowners submitted displays by Oct 9, and the Kidlist team nominated houses from those. We filmed every video this past weekend.

👉 Visit in person (hours vary, so check first) or decide from the videos. DM us for all our Halloween driving routes!

This contest is not affiliated with Meta or TikTok. taken in Chicagoland by @kidlist

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👻 Welcome, foolish mortals…to one seriously impressive Halloween display!

🏚️ This is a must-see for Disney fans! This family-made recreation of Disney’s Haunted Mansion is packed with hand-painted details, moving parts, interactive surprises, ghostly music, and even FOUR video games you can play. 🎮 You can also scan a few 3D-printed items to donate to Puck Cancer. 💜

You can actually walk through this display, so make sure to take your time exploring all the spooky details.

📍 The Haunted Mansion on Homestead
835 Homestead Rd, La Grange Park

🚗 Want to see more incredible Halloween houses this weekend? Our Halloween House Guide has driving routes to make planning your spooky road trip easy! Check out the overall map or tap a route name to jump straight to that route.

👉 Comment HOUSE and we’ll send you all the driving routes & details! 🔗 taken in La Grange Park, Illinois by @kidlist

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7 days ago

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🚂 Do you have a kid who stops everything to watch a train go by? This one’s for them! 👀

From riding the Metra and exploring real cabooses to train-themed playgrounds, model trains, and even restaurants with trains 🚆🍽️, we’ve rounded up a whole train-load of local adventures for the little conductors.

👉 Comment TRAINS and we’ll send you our train spotting guide with all the best spots! 🔗 taken in Chicagoland by @kidlist

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8 days ago

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Kidlist • Chicagoland Family Fun

@kidlist