January in Chicago offers many entertainment options for families. No one will want to hibernate at home when they can learn about gardening and go on a bike ride. Activities such as ice-skating are fun for all family members and will help them stay fit. Less active family members will appreciate learning about health at places like the Notebaert Nature Museum and by cooking meals at The Chopping Block.
Cooking Class
Cooking classes will teach the whole family how to make delicious and nutritious meals. You can reserve a kitchen for children's birthday parties and get child-friendly cooking lessons at The Chopping Block. Its kitchens can seat 14 to 40 people, which is great for large families. You can also buy personalized aprons and gift bags filled with food for family events like family reunions and wedding rehearsals.
Museums
Chicago museums have educational exhibits that will teach you about health and nutrition. Notebaert Nature Museum's Hands-on Habitat is full of information on different animal habitats. The museum also has a butterfly exhibit that includes a large greenhouse filled with butterflies from all over the world. The Museum of Science and Industry's anatomy exhibit lets families explore the human body.
Gardening
Wintertime is still a good time to learn about native plants and insects, as well as gardening techniques. At the Chicago Botanical Garden, families can learn new things every weekend in January. The weekend classes include a worm class where you'll learn about the worm's role in gardening and a rainforest plant class where you learn to make gum and rubber from plants. Chicago Botanical Garden has room for gardening-themed birthday parties that include interactive activities like making herb tea and studying insects.
Bike Rides
Chicago parks have many trails that are perfect for family bike rides. Dress warmly and check operating hours and weather conditions of each park. Millennium Park is the city's first park built for bike riding and it even has its own bike station, where you can rent bikes and buy accessories. The bike station has showers and repair services for riders' convenience. It rents out adult bikes, kids bikes and child seats.
Ice-Skating
Ice-skating is a fun way to exercise no matter what your experience level. Some ice skating rinks offer lessons for students of all ages and free admission. Daley Bicentennial Park is an outdoor park with free admission. The McFetridge Sports Center in California Park has an indoor rink. Wrigley Field transforms a nearby parking lot into an ice rink. McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink is an outdoor rink conveniently located near the Park Grill restaurant, where families can get something to eat after skating.
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