Family Days

Come and explore the world of architecture and learn why design matters through CAC's hands-on activities for families. See below for more details.

  • Two young girls with handmade face masks in front of a gallery of imagesTwo young girls with handmade face masks in front of a gallery of images

    Kids show off their handmade masks inspired by the Architectural Head Games exhibit in May 2025.

  • Adults and Children building with legos togetherAdults and Children building with legos together

    A family program at the CAC.

Hosted in the CAC’s galleries and classroom spaces, Family Days are opportunities for hands-on activities exploring architecture and design. Dates, themes, and targeted age ranges vary; see specific program listings for details below.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout each event to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Support

All family programs are free for families, as the CAC strives to represent the diversity of Chicago through everything we do. If you find programs like these valuable, please consider donating to the CAC to help us create more of them!

  • October 18, 2025

    Open House Chicago Family Activity

    Come explore and create with us during the festival! Inside the Ramova Theatre families will explore the rich ornamentation of the theatre. They can focus on specific details they discover within the space or create ornamentation for something new.

    This activity is designed in conjunction with Open House Chicago, one of the largest architecture and urban exploration festivals in the world. Check out our website or the CAC app for more sites and live events!

    Event details


  • January 10, 2026

    Family Day: The Disappointed Tourist

    Join us for a fun, activity-filled day inspired by CAC’s current exhibition, The Disappointed Tourist.

    “Is there some place that you would like to visit or revisit that no longer exists?” This is the question posed by The Disappointed Tourist, an ongoing project by artist Ellen Harvey. Children and families of all ages are invited to respond through a range of activities.

    • Create your own drawing to add to the growing collection of ‘forever buildings.’
    • Build a LEGO model of a building you remember, or imagine another world.
    • Explore the Center with a scavenger hunt.

    Event details

    • Date: January 10, 2026
    • Time: 10 AM - 1 PM, drop in anytime
    • Location: CAC Skyscraper Gallery, 111 E. Wacker Drive
    • Cost: Free with registration, on-site registration available
    • Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the event.
An adult couple looking on as their young son is building a project with sticks and marshmellowAn adult couple looking on as their young son is building a project with sticks and marshmellow

Family Programs

The CAC offers an engaging space where families can come together and discover why design matters. Through a variety of annual festivals and Family Days, the CAC provides hands-on learning experiences at no cost. These events inspire young people to explore architecture and the built environment in fun and meaningful ways.

Upcoming Programs:
  • Girls Build! Day, September 6, 2025 / Registration will open in July
  • Engineering Fest, February 28, 2026 / Registration will open in January

Youth, Family and Educator programs are announced throughout the year. Sign up for our newsletter to be first to hear.

Contact our Learning team at caclearning@architecture.org if you have feedback or questions.