Fun Things to Do This Spring with Chicagoland Kids
Photo credit: iStock/Solange_ZChicago winters are rough. Once the cold has finally passed, we welcome spring with wide open arms. There’s so much to look forward to during this season, including spring holidays, nature hikes and museum visits. And, the most exciting part of spring is that families are ready to escape hibernation and explore Chicagoland again!
To get the season started, we’ve put together this simple guide to help you plan out your spring activities for 2024. From March to May, there’s enough activities and creative ideas to guarantee you’ll have three months of fun planned before you know it. We’ve featured family guides for Easter, Mother’s Day, Earth Day and other spring holidays. Don’t worry, we also included plenty of indoor options, because April flowers are almost always guaranteed to bring May showers in Chicago!Â
Take a look below to find our latest suggestions of things to do with your family in Chicagoland this spring. Also, be sure to bookmark or come back to this guide regularly because we’ll be adding more exciting spring activity ideas all season long!
Chicagoland springs to life once warm weather hits. Don’t let sorting through the seemingly endless choices of seasonal activities and events become just another chore on your spring cleaning list.Â
We’ve made narrowing down your choices a bit easier for you with these kid-approved picks, from outdoorsy nature centers and family hikes to indoor learning and fun at museums and play spaces.Â
This spring, change up your normal routine and venture to a new playground. These awesome playgrounds have tunnels, slides, rope courses and endless obstacles to climb and explore. Rainy day? We’ve got you covered with these great indoor play places.
Take a day trip by train
All aboard! Your next adventure is just a Metra train stop away. Ride the train to charming downtowns lined with boutiques and shops, and eat your way through new towns. The best part? You don’t have to worry about parking!Â
Catch a baseball game
Chicago is lucky enough to be one of the cities with two major league baseball teams. Take in the ivy at Wrigley Field and catch a Chicago Cubs game or travel to the South Side for a Chicago White Sox game. Both teams host family days on select Sundays.Â
Go kayaking
Chicagoland has plenty of beautiful forest preserves, but have you ever thought of getting off the beaten path and exploring the river? This spring, take the family on a kayaking adventure at one of these local forest preserves.
Try an extreme sport
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with spring sports like soccer or track, but why not let loose with these unique sports around Chicagoland? Hint: think adrenaline-filled activities like indoor skydiving, playing soccer in giant inflatable bubbles or (kid-safe) ax throwing.Â
Miniature golf is a classic (and challenging!) activity for all ages. Your family will love checking out these outdoor mini golf courses. Rain delay threatening to end your game? Head to one of these indoor golf courses.
Visit a local farmÂ
Chickens, alpacas and lambs — oh my! Discover where produce, eggs, honey and more come from when you visit these farms around Illinois. Many offer private tours, meet and greets with animals and a chance to shop organic goods produced on the farm.Â
The urge to get out of the house can be overwhelming after a long Midwest winter. Avoid burning out on outdoor activities before summer gets here by relaxing with these fun at-home activities. From crafty projects to relaxing with a family movie night, we have plenty of suggestions for staying busy at home this spring.Â
Start a garden
April flowers are sure to bring May showers — so make use of the rain and use it to water your new garden. Start with these plants that are easy to grow with kids, and watch your garden grow!Â
Host a family movie night
Cozy movie nights are great any time of year. Our Watch This, Do That series features kid-friendly titles and recommended activities you can do as a family once the credits have rolled to further the fun.Â
There’s no better way to enjoy warm weather than with ice cream. Whip up delicious milkshakes (including boozy adult versions!) using these simple recipes.Â
Dig up dinos
Create your own excavation site at home and embark on your very own dino dig. This activity is great for inspiring curiosity and discovery in your kids, as well as helping younger kiddos develop their motor skills.Â
Sweat it out with a virtual workout
You don’t have to go outside to work up a sweat! Kids will love these virtual and interactive workouts that feature some of their favorite characters and movies. There’s workouts for the whole family, too, including zumba, pilates and full-body routines.Â
Do some spring cleaning
Don’t roll your eyes at this one! You don’t have to scrub the entire house to give your home a spring refresh. Use these simple strategies to start reorganizing and kick off your spring cleaning.Â
By the time spring break rolls around, it won’t just be your kids who are ready for a break! Recharge the entire family with a relaxing vacation, or hop in the car and hit the gas on a family road trip. If your clan is more of the stay at home and chill variety, we have some great staycation activities to keep the kids entertained while you take a break.Â
Have all of the fun without the time-consuming travel arrangements by planning a family stay-cation! Plan a weekend trip to an indoor water park, or stay downtown and show your kids the Windy City. Can’t spring for a staycation budget? There are plenty of free things to do during spring break.Â
Sign up for camp
Can’t get away from work while the kids are on spring break? Send them to spring break camp. Choose a STEM camp hosted by Museum of Science and Industry for curious kiddos, or enroll your little artists in a creative arts camp. There’s nature camps, stop motion camps and even more unique opportunities for your child to have the best spring break ever.Â
Spring officially kicks off on March 20, but there are so many other ways to celebrate. Go green on St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy a bunch of egg hunts for Easter, celebrate the planet on Earth Day and more. We’ve got plenty of ideas for families celebrating these spring holidays with crafts, recipes, events and other activities.
Women’s History Month – March 2024
Celebrate the strong women in your life and around the world all March with these Chicagoland events. We’ve also rounded up some books you can read with your child.Â
The Festival of Colors is a Hindu holiday that welcomes spring. Our Holi Guide for Chicago Families is filled with colorful activities, crafts and events to celebrate the popular holiday.Â
Don’t miss an opportunity to have a laughter-filled day of pranks and fun with your kiddos! We compiled some funny practical jokes (all in good fun!) to play on your kids this April Fool’s Day.Â
