April showers bring May flowers — and lots of family fun for Chicagoland kids! We’re here to help you plan ahead for the most exciting events and attractions in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with kids in April. Be sure to check out the eclipse viewing events (April 8), Eid al-Fitr events (April 9) and Earth Day events (April 25).
Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of kid-friendly April 2024 events in Chicago and the suburbs. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar.
This article was recently updated on April 1, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new Chicagoland events to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events this month, aligning with Chicago Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
Best April family events in Chicago
This month, many Chicago Public Libraries are celebrating the Solar Eclipse with fun activities. Be sure to check out the kid-friendly exhibits including Circusville and 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond. Find even more April events in Chicago on our calendar.
Peter Pan at James M. Nederlander Theatre
April 2-7, 2024
- Address: 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: $36.50-plus | Get tickets
Enjoy this high-flying musical in which Tinker Bell visits the bedroom of the Darling children late one night to take them on a magical journey.
Tea Light Planets at Manning Branch
April 6, 2024
- Address: 6 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free | Register
Ages 3-13 will create beautiful orbs that resemble planets out of tea lights, ping-pong balls and paint. Registration required.
Family Storybook Yoga at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
April 7, 2024
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $20-$27/adult, $15-$22/child | Register
Families will interact through moving, breathing and connecting while listening to a story. This class is designed for children ages 2-8 years. Bring your own mat. Advanced online registration required.
Eclipse Encounter ’24 at Adler Planetarium
April 8, 2024
- Address: 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This free outdoor event will celebrate the Great North American Eclipse. Activities include solar viewer giveaways, photo opportunities, telescopes for solar projection and more. Tickets are not required.
Prehistoric Play Day at Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center
April 9, 2024
- Address: 6100 N. Central Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Kids ages 5 and up can learn about Ice Age Illinois through a series of family-oriented activities and games at Mathew Bieszczat Volunteer Resource Center.
A Year with Frog and Toad at Chicago Children’s Theatre
April 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, 2024
- Address: 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $45.25 | Get tickets
See the Tony-nominated musical, based on Arnold Lobel’s popular children’s book based on two friends, Frog and Toad. See their friendship as it goes through the seasons.
Earth Day Resource Fair at Dvorak (Anton) Park
April 13, 2024
- Address: 1119 W. Cullerton St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Learn how to protect the Earth and sign up for a park clean-up. Also, visit tables from different environmental organizations, water/energy conservation, gardening, recycling and more.
Calm Waters at Shedd Aquarium
April 14, 2024
- Address: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $39.95/ages 12-plus, $29.95/ages 3-11, free/2 and under| Get tickets
Guests with disabilities and veterans can explore Shedd Aquarium’s exhibits and experiences in a comfortable and accepting environment. Advance registration required.
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) at McCormick Place
April 26-28, 2024
- Address: 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $115-plus/3-Day adult ticket, $55-plus/Friday adult ticket, $65-plus/Saturday OR Sunday adult ticket, $20-plus/3-Day child ticket, $15-plus/Sunday child ticket; VIP tickets available, too. | Get tickets
Families can see celebrities and comic creators, do meet and greets and photo ops and more.
Check out our family guide for C2E2.
Best April family events in the North/Northwest Suburbs
This month, there are some really great family-friendly performances and Earth Day events. Find even more April events in the North/Northwest suburbs on our calendar.
Saturday Storytime with Alice McGinty at The Book Stall
April 6, 2024
- Address: 811 Elm St., Winnetka
- Cost: Free
Ages 4-8 can join The Book Stall for a Saturday Storytime featuring renowned children’s author, Alice McGinty. She will share a few of her books, including the new picture book, A Synagogue Just Like Home.
Eclipse Viewing Party at Skokie Public Library
April 8, 2024
- Address: 5215 Oakton St., Skokie
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Skokie Public Library to view the solar eclipse on the east side of the building, on the Village Green. Additional activities will be available throughout the day.
Partial Solar Eclipse at Crabtree Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Crabtree Nature Center to view their scope and sun viewers to watch the eclipse safely.
Eid al Fitr at Community Center
April 13, 2024
- Address: 4170 Morse Ave., Lincolnwood
- Cost: $10/resident, $15/non-resident
Celebrate Eid al Fitr with your family at the Community Center with arts and crafts and a variety of snacks and refreshments. For all ages.
“I’ll Have What She’s Having”: The Jewish Deli at Illinois Holocaust Museum
Through April 14, 2024
- Address: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
- Cost: Free w/museum admission: $18/ages 12-plus, $6/ages 5-11, free/ages 4 and under and members | Get tickets
This exhibit explores how Jewish immigrants imported and adapted traditions to create a uniquely American restaurant. Learn about deli history with menus, advertisements, neon signs, photographs, uniforms and film and TV clips. There are also interactive and photo opportunities.
Earth Day Nature Play at Crabtree Nature Center
April 20, 2024
- Address: 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy playing in the nature center’s three-acre nature play center. There will be Earth Day activities to go along with the holiday.
Earth Day at Century Park
April 22, 2024
- Address: 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills
- Cost: Free
Come out to Century Park to celebrate Earth Day with an afternoon of sustainability education and activities.
Best April family events in the South Suburbs
This month, the south suburbs have some great Earth Day events for families. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love these nature-friendly solar eclipse viewing parties at Hickory Creek and Plum Creek Nature Center. Find even more April events in the South Suburbs on our calendar.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Hickory Creek
April 8, 2024
- Address: 10537 W. La Porte Road, Mokena
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Hickory Creek to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Goodenow Grove at Plum Creek Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 27064 Dutton Road, Beecher
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
Spectacular Partial Solar Eclipse at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
- Cost: Free | Register
Families can come out to Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center to watch the partial solar eclipse. Telescopes will be ready for viewing. Registration required.
Ramadan and Eid Storytime at Fountaindale Public Library District
April 9, 2024
- Address: 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook
- Cost: Free
All ages can come out to Fountaindale Public Library District to celebrate Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr with a special storytime.
Celebrating Earth Day at Main Park
April 20, 2024
- Address: 400 W. Nebraska St., Frankfort
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy an afternoon of Earth Day fun with learning activities, crafts, kid-friendly games, giveaways, and more.
Earth Day at Sand Ridge Nature Center
April 20, 2024
- Address: 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland
- Cost: Free
Play Earth Day-themed games, a self-guided litter cleanup and more at this event at Sand Ridge Nature Center.
Earth Day Celebration at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
April 20, 2024
- Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day with art activities, scavenger hunts, and free plant giveaways. Registration required by calling Little Red Schoolhouse at 708-839-6897.
Best April family events in the Western Suburbs
This month, the western suburbs have some really fun Earth Day events, including a fun drop-in event at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Find even more April events in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Holi – The Festival of Colors at Grand Pavilion – Riverwalk Naperville
April 6, 2024
- Address: Grand Pavilion – Riverwalk Naperville Downtown, Naperville
- Cost: Free admission; fees for bags
The Festival of Colors announces the passing of winter and the arrival of spring. All members of the public are invited to this Holi event that offers the throwing of colors, which is organic dyed flour. There will be food and music, too.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Whalon Lake
April 8, 2024
- Address: Royce Road, west of Route 53/Bolingbrook Drive, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Whalon Lake to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
Solar Eclipse Viewing at Trailside Museum of Natural History
April 8, 2024
- Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Learn about a partial solar eclipse and view it through a special solar telescope and eclipse glasses at Trailside Museum of Natural History.
Community Celebrates Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr at Downers Grove Public Library
April 14, 2024
- Address: 1050 Curtiss St., Downers Grove
- Cost: Free | Register
Families can come to Downers Grove Public Library to learn about Ramadan and its culminating celebration Eid al-Fitr. They’ll hear stories and take part in activities. Registration required.
Earth Day Celebration at Lincoln Marsh- Prairie Patch Play Area
April 18, 2024
- Address: 1000 W. Lincoln Ave., Wheaton
- Cost: Free
Children can celebrate Earth Day by enjoying open play at the Prairie Patch Play Area, crafts and activities. Dress for the weather.
Celebrate Earth Day Activities at Trailside Museum of Natural History
April 20, 2024
- Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Earth Day by helping plant a tree, make a bird feeder to bring home, pick up litter and more. Registration not required.
STEMCON 2024 at College of DuPage
April 27, 2024
- Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
- Cost: Free admission
Explore the fascinating world of STEM and enjoy interactive fun with science, technology, engineering and math. There will be guest speakers, demos, workshops and more.
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