Springtime is here in Chicagoland and with the warm weather comes lots of fun outdoor activities to do with your kids, including seeing spring flowers at these flower fields, taking a family hike, or seeing a Chicago Cubs or Chicago White Sox baseball game.
May also features some great Mother’s Day events and Memorial Day events for your family to celebrate along with some fun ways to enjoy Cinco de Mayo on May 5.
One of my and my son’s favorite things about spring is seeing a baseball game. Chicago is lucky enough to have two teams to root for, so make sure to check them out this month! Both the Sox and the Cubs have Kids Clubs that your children can join and kids can always run the bases at Wrigley Field on Sundays.
Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of kid-friendly May 2024 events in Chicago and the suburbs. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @chicagoparent if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated on May 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 May family events in Chicago
Check out the many Mother’s Day events and Free Comic Book Day events at Chicago Public Libraries. Also, a lot of Chicago Park Districts have some fun Mother’s Day events for families this month. Find even more May events in Chicago on our calendar.
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show at Auditorium Theatre
May 3-5, 2024
- Address: 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $43-plus
Join Bluey, Bingo and more as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. This brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy award-winning children’s television series.
A Year with Frog and Toad at Chicago Children’s Theatre
May 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, 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.
Comic Book Day at Jeffery Manor Branch
May 4, 2024
- Address: 2401 E. 100th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come join Jeffery Manor Branch to discuss comic books while enjoying a range of fun and related crafts. Children are welcome to dress up as their favorite comic book characters. They’ll also receive a free comic book home with them.
Low-Sensory Mornings at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
May 5, 2024
- Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $11/adults, $6.50/ages 3-11, free/members and ages 2 and under | Get tickets
Families can explore the museum on select days in a more sensory-friendly environment before it opens to the general public.
Check out our family guide to Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Theatre School at DePaul University
May 11, 18, 25, 2024
- Address: 2350 N. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $14/standard ticket | Get tickets
Teens can come out to The Theatre School at DePaul University to see William Shakespeare’s classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A post-show discussion will be held May 18. The ASL interpreted performance will be held May 25.
Mother’s Day Pop-Up Card at Edgebrook Branch
May 11, 2024
- Address: 5331 W. Devon Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free | Register
Ages 6-13 can celebrate Mother’s Day by making a beautiful pop-up card for your mother figure. Supplies will be provided. Registration required.
Switch on Summer at Buckingham Fountain
May 11, 2024
- Address: Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the start of summer in Grant Park at Buckingham Fountain for ComEd’s 10th annual Switch on Summer. This event will feature family-friendly activities, entertainment, local food vendors, fun giveaways and special guest appearances.
Mother’s Day Tea Party at Normandy Park
May 12, 2024
- Address: 6660 W. 52nd St., Chicago
- Cost: $10/child | Register
Ages 12 and under can enjoy a tea party in the grass, music, crafts and a meet-and-greet with Alice in Wonderland. Bring your own blanket. Registration required.
Family Storybook Yoga at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
May 12, 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. Bring your own mat. Advanced online registration required.
A&A Ballet’s Cinderella at Athenaeum Theater
May 18, 2024
- Address: 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $22-$59 | Get tickets
Watch this family-friendly performance that features Asian American Tatiana Chen as Cinderella and welcomes A&A Ballet and Joffrey Ballet veteran Amber Neumann as Stepmother. A&A Ballet offers audiences a modern take on the classic story.
Once Upon a Symphony-Goldilocks and the Three Bears
May 18, 2024
- Address: 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $25-$35 | Get tickets
Young audiences are invited to see the classic tale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as it’s told on stage in a 45-minute production. For ages 3-5.
Lincoln Roscoe Spring Art & Craft Fair
May 18-19, 2024
- Address: Lincoln Avenue from Roscoe Street to School Street, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Come shop original art and handmade crafts from 75 juried artists. Also, live music, art activities for kids, festival food and more.
Bluey x CAMP
Opens May 24, 2024
- Address: 651 W. North Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $39-plus | Get tickets
Families will open CAMP’s signature Magic Door to reveal Bluey’s home, a 5,000 square-foot space filled with interactive activities, dance parties, games and a Bluey meet-and-greet.
Check out our tips for visiting Bluey x CAMP.
Do Division Street Fest
May 31-June 2, 2024
- Address: Division St. between Damen and Leavitt, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
The event features two live music stages, local designer runway shows and a children’s area with family activities. This kid’s activities include a petting zoo, mega slide and kid-friendly musical performances.
Lincoln Park Greek Fest at St. George Greek Orthodox Church
May 31, 2024
- Address: 2701 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
Authentic Greek cuisine, music, dance performances and Greek culture and Hellenic pride are celebrated at this festival outside of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. There will also be a craft fair all weekend.
Best May family events in the North/Northwest Suburbs
This month, there are some really great family-friendly events happening at Kohl Children’s Museum. Also, bring your kids to play at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago for their spring festival happening until May 26. Find even more May events in the North/Northwest suburbs on our calendar.
Kohl Children’s Museum Touch a Truck Family Festival at Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy
May 5, 2024
- Address: 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: $25/members, $35/non-members | Get tickets
This event features 40-plus trucks for kids to climb in. There will also be food trucks, train rides, music and more.
Art in the Park at Northbrook Village Green Park
May 11-12, 2024
- Address: 1810 Walters Ave., Northbrook
- Cost: Free
Come out to Northbrook Village Green Park to see more than 80 artists showing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more. The event features live music in the gazebo, youth art activities and festival food.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival in Historic Downtown Long Grove
May 17-19, 2024
- Address: 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: $5/day, $10/three-day pass
The fest is known for its chocolate-dipped treats like strawberries, donuts, cupcakes, cake pops, truffles, croissants, eclairs, funnel cakes and more. There will also be tons of live entertainment, family activities, chocolate vendors and chocolate experiences.
Everyone at Play at Kohl Children’s Museum
May 19, 2024
- Address: 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: Free | Register
Children with disabilities are invited to explore the exhibits while closed to the general public. A quiet room for stimulation breaks will be available. Registration is required.
Barrington Art Festival
May 25-26, 2024
- Address: S. Cook St. & E. Station St., Barrington
- Cost: Free
This fest features 125 artists in all media including paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. Live music and youth art activities, too.
Play Unstoppable Festival at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
Through May 26, 2024
- Address: 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $21.99-plus | Get tickets
This fest includes creating a LEGO flower, designing your own spirit animal, a dance party, an all-new LEGO Friends 4D movie, photo opportunities and more.
Best May family events in the South Suburbs
This south suburbs have plenty of free family-fun happening all month. Check out the Kite Festival at Heritage Park or enjoy a fun touch-a-truck event happening at Dellwood Park. Find even more May events in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Market on Canal at Mabel’s Market
May 5, 2024
- Address: 307 Canal St., Lemont
- Cost: $5/person, free/ages 12 and under | Get tickets
Shop this outdoor vintage and handcrafted market that includes over 45 selected vendors, live music, food trucks, drinks, photo opps. and more.
Kite Festival at Heritage Park
May 11, 2024
- Address: 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a day in the park and watch a giant kite demonstration. Personal kite flying is encouraged. There will be food trucks available for purchase.
South Holland Memorial Day Parade at Veterans Memorial Park
May 27, 2024
- Address: 450 E. 160th Place, South Holland
- Cost: Free
The annual parade honors military personnel who have died while serving. The parade begins 170th Street and South Park Avenue. After the parade, there will be a remembrance ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.
Touch-a-Truck at Dellwood Park
May 31, 2024
- Address: 199 E. Woods Drive, Lockport
- Cost: Free
Come out to Dellwood Park and let your little ones sit behind tons of trucks and honk their horns. There will be all types of vehicles there.
Best May family events in the Western Suburbs
This month, the western suburbs has a great special needs event happening at DuPage Children’s Museum. Find even more May events in the Western Suburbs on our calendar.
Open Studio & Mini Art Lessons for Kids at Laura Lynne Art Studio
May 3, 2024
- Address: 440 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora
- Cost: Free
Ages 7-16 can join Laura Lynne in her art studio and teaching space for art-making stations for kids. Bring along a plushie or doll to visit the Mini Art Museum. There will also be jewelry, framed and unframed art prints and original art for sale.
Naperville Food Truck Festival at Naper Settlement
May 4, 2024
- Address: 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
- Cost: $10-$20 | Get tickets
Families and foodies will enjoy Naperville’s Annual Food Truck Festival. Features more than 25 of the area’s best food trucks, live music entertainment, Cinco de Mayo beer garden, mega bubble show, face painters, kids tattoo artist, balloon artist and a vendor village featuring local businesses.
Adaptive Play Time at DuPage Children’s Museum
May 19, 2024
- Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
- Cost: $19, free/under 1 and members | Get tickets
This monthly event provides a modified environment for play and learning. It is intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum and/or with sensory processing disorders. Registration required.
Check out our family guide to the Dupage Children’s Museum.
Aurora Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2024
- Address: Benton St. and River St., Aurora
- Cost: Free
The parade route will begin at the intersection of Benton St. and River St. Then, it will head east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Downer Place and end at River Street.
St. Charles Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
May 27, 2024
- Address: 6th and Main St., St. Charles
- Cost: Free
This annual parade steps off at 6th and Main Street. It honors those who have given their lives in service for our country and to honor veterans.
Victory at Home: 1941-1945 Exhibit at Elmhurst History Museum
Through Aug. 18, 2024
- Address: 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free admission
This exhibit examines the Home Front during World War II and explores the sacrifice, service and patriotism of Americans throughout the country, with a focus on those in Elmhurst and greater Chicagoland. You’ll see compelling artifacts, photographs and interactive audio-video stations with hands-on experiences, journals, uniforms, WWII posters, historic radio broadcasts and more.
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