Free museum days during the strike

A kid gets creative at the "Unboxed" exhibit at Chicago Children's Museum.

If you're suddenly looking for something to do with teachers on strike and kids at home this week, plenty of museums offer free days for Chicago families. The Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Field Museum are free today, and the Chicago History Museum is free through Thursday. The Museum of Science and Industry is actually free weekdays through September 28 for all Illinois residents with valid ID. And Chicago Children's Museum is offering free admission for all CPS students throughout the week (grown-ups still have to pay). It's also worth noting that the Museum of Contemporary Art is free Tuesdays, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is free on Thursdays. Also, Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey is working on getting free passes to the Brookfield Zoo for CPS students, and interested parents should call his office, 312-603-6380, to be added to a waitlist.

For more information on free and discount days at our various institution of ongoing learning, check out our free and discount museum days of 2012 round-up.