Chicago has so many great museums and they’re even better when they’re free…especially during the winter since outdoor activities can be impossible.

Last year, we found out that the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago hosts a Family Day, which is held on every second Saturday of the month from November to May.  We went to only one Family Day event last year and really enjoyed it. So we made it a point to go more than once this year. The best part about Family Day is that it’s free admission….and includes so many activities for the kids to do.

We figured yesterday was a perfect day to go the MCA since it was one of the coldest days of the year. This month’s Family Day theme was “(Extra)ordinary” which was inspired by the MCA’s current exhibit, Pop Art Design. Luke made a few crafts, ate in the MCA’s cafe, and enjoyed the colorful Pop Art exhibit on the fourth floor, which also gave me an opportunity to take some pictures.

Some tips about Family Day:

1. The event is held on every second Saturday from November to May (11 AM to 4 PM).
2. If you have a stroller, enter on Mies Van der Rohe Way and E. Pearson St.
3. Every floor has a different activity. So be sure to check out what each floor has to offer.
4. Small snacks are available on the 1st floor such as juice, water, and gold fish crackers.
5. If you or your kiddo(s) want something more substantial to eat, the cafe on the 2nd floor has food at reasonable prices.

I’m sure Luke didn’t appreciate the art as much as we did but I hope going to museums while he’s this young will encourage him to do so when he’s older. Museums, especially art museums, can provide so much inspiration and creativity in all of us.

I knew I wanted to take a picture of Luke on this lip sofa but there were so many people hanging around it or just sitting on it. Yes, you can just actually lounge and sit on it. We waited for about 15 minutes before I decided to get in front of it to take some practice shots. People around realized what I was doing so they started snapping pictures of their kids on the seat. When it was finally Luke’s turn to sit on it, he told me he didn’t want to. I was like “What? All this waiting and watching other people and now he doesn’t want to sit there?” It turned out that he was either shy or nervous because so many people were watching. So he asked if I could sit there with him. I put my camera down and walked over to console. He didn’t agree at first but finally did in the end. Charlie stood there and snapped the picture above.

When I was finally able to get him to sit alone, I was too nervous to use my DSLR as so many people were watching and waiting. So this picture was taken with my iPhone. I guess I know where Luke gets some of his traits from.