Whatever the weather is doing, your family can barge into March like a lion with some pretty cool memories. Or, we’ve got some options for time to yourself, or time with your partner. As always, if you’re leaving the house, be sure to wear a face covering and heed social distancing requirements. If you’d prefer to stay inside, try virtual trips to local museums, drive-thru events or a chance for a new experience at home.
Note: We’re updating our website as quickly as we can, but changes may occur due to COVID-19. Please double check before heading out for the most updated information on safety precautions and any last-minute cancellations. Stay safe!
In-Person Events
ChiTown Movies Presents: Drive-In Theatre
- When: Friday-Sunday
- Address: Chitown Futbol, 2343 S. Throop St., Chicago
- Cost: $33+, preregistration required, fees for food.
Watch classic and cult movies from the comfort of your car. Moviegoers will have the option to have popcorn, tacos, wings and more delivered right to the car. Cars are situated in the lot at a safe distance from one another, with one car for every two spots. This weekend’s movies: Friday – Grease, 7 p.m.; The Blair Witch Project, 10 p.m.; Saturday – The Blair Witch Project, 10 p.m.; Sunday – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 7:30 p.m.
Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes
- When: Opens Thursday for members, Sunday for the general public
- Address: Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $18, $14 ages 3-11, $9 members in addition to museum entry
Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes celebrates Marvel history with more than 300 artifacts, including original comic book pages, sculptures, interactive displays and costumes and props from Marvel’s blockbuster films. Guests can examine the origins of iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Black Panther, Hulk, and Captain Marvel and see how they have evolved alongside society over the past 80 years, making these characters a pop culture mainstay.
Catch the Leprechaun Story Hunt
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Address: Trailside Center, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Kids can help catch the Leprechaun that has been spotted running around River Forest. Join an outdoor Story Hunt, based on the book How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace. Read the posted story page and solve the clues to lead explorers to the next page of the story, and possibly to a new location in River Forest for the next clue. Kids who solve all the clues will reach the “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” and have the chance to make and use a trap to catch the Leprechaun and receive a reward. Stop first at Trailside’s Nature Play area to find all the materials needed to build a leprechaun trap. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Dinos Everywhere!
- When: Opens Monday
- Address: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Free with admission
Dinos Everywhere! features acres of earth shakers, including the largest – argentinosaurus – that was estimated to measure more than 100 feet in length and weigh up to 110 tons. Zoogoers will be able to search for these 45 amazing life-like animatronics that will be located throughout the park. For families that missed Dinos Everywhere! during its run in the summer, it reopens as the zoo does March 1.
Maple Sugar Magic
- When: Saturday
- Address: Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road, Crete Township
- Cost: Free, registration required by March 5
From the earliest times, Native Americans and pioneers of the Midwest made maple syrup from the sweet sap of the sugar maple tree. Learn how it’s made, find maple trees on site and try some real maple syrup. Masks are required for all in-person, indoor and outdoor program participants, with the exception of those younger than 2 years old and those with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing one, per state guidelines.
Sap’s Rising
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Address: River Trail Nature Center, 3120 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook
- Cost: Free
Walk in the sugar maple forest to learn about the sweet process of maple syrup making. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Walk & Talk: Women’s History Month
- When: Saturday
- Address: Thatcher Woods, 8030 Chicago Ave., Maywood
- Cost: Free, registration required
In celebration of Women’s History Month, join a hike that highlights conservation leader Isabel Bassett Wasson and the work and discoveries she made at Thatcher Woods and around the country.
Oak Forest Fleadh
- When: Saturday
- Address: Oak Forest High School, 15201 Central Ave., Oak Forest
- Cost: Free
In 2021, the parade will step off from Oak Forest High School heading south to Oak Forest Park District. The 5K that traditionally precedes the parade will be held virtually and Leprechaun activities, including crafts and other surprises, will be at the Oak Forest Park District from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Maple Sugaring
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Address: Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago
- Cost: $5, preregistration required
Discover how sap becomes syrup, examine a maple tree, check the collection buckets, see a tapping demonstration and observe sap thickening over a fire. These 20-minute tours leave every half hour. Masks that cover the mouth and nose are required.
Sugar Bush Sunday Breakfast
- When: Sunday
- Address: Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $12, $10 residents, registration required
Register for a one-hour time slot to enjoy breakfast featuring real maple syrup. A wagon ride and a guided tour of the tapped maple trees is included. The breakfast serving area will be cleaned and sanitized after each group.
American Girl Spring Tea Party
- When: Sunday
- Address: Dellwood Park, Route 171 & Woods Drive, Lockport
- Cost: $25, $20 residents, Free dolls and ages 1 and younger; preregistration required
Kids enjoy a cup of tea with a special doll in his or her life. Attendees can taste tea, hot chocolate or lemonade along with tea-time treats. The children can glam-up their dolls and take home a special keepsake. Face masks are required, except when eating or drinking.
Virtual Events
Super Girls Story Time & Craft
- When: Saturday
- Cost: Free, registration required
Kids ages 2-7 can join Ms. Corina from the Back of the Yards Branch for a fun Women’s History Month story time for the whole family. Share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home crafts to honor and celebrate the girls and women in your life.
New York International Children’s Film Festival
- When: Through March 14
- Cost: Varies by day
New York International Children’s Film Festival has become North America’s largest film festival for children and teens ages 3-18. For the first time in its 24-year history, families across the country can attend this Oscar-qualifying festival as an online event.
Virtual ComedySportz
- When: Saturday
- Cost: Free
ComedySportz is an approved-for-all-ages improv competition. They make up the story with suggestions from you as two teams battle each other for your love and points. The Ref presides over the whole thing and by the end of the night, one thing will have won: comedy.
Chicago Polar Plunge (Virtual)
- When: Through Sunday
- Cost: Fundraiser
One of the largest fundraising events for Special Olympics Chicago usually takes place on Chicago’s icy lakefront. This year, new and veteran Plunge participants can plunge safely in the facility of their own choosing (with prizes and incentives awaiting those who register and fundraise). The winners of the annual costume contest and most creative plunge awards will be announced at a virtual “melt down” party on March 7.
Special Gifts Theatre Original Virtual Adaptation of Frozen Jr.
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: $15+
Special Gifts Theatre presents virtual performances of Disney’s Frozen Jr. The cast will vary each week, and ticket holders will receive a performance link and password at 9 a.m. Saturday that is available until midnight Sunday.
Virtual Sea Otter Encounter
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: $49.95, $44.95 members
Come face-to-face with the playful, adorable sea otters that call Shedd home. This experience is all about getting up close — join Shedd experts behind the scenes (virtually) for a sea otter play session, watch them dive, socialize, vocalize and groom and find out how their sustainable, restaurant-quality food prep happens. Will you play with pups Cooper and Watson? Watch Yaku’s pocket in action? Visit Luna while she snacks on sea urchins? Dive in and explore the world of sea otters firsthand.
Virtual Sea Lion Encounter
- When: Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: $49.95, $44.95 members
Experience a live virtual visit with the sea lions that call Shedd home from wherever you are in the world. You may know California sea lions best for their loud vocalizations, and their ability to traverse both land and water. During this encounter you will meet one of the four rescued sea lions at Shedd—Biff, Cruz, Laguna, or Tanner—and learn how their rescue and rehabilitation gave them second chance at life. This 30-minute Virtual Sea Lion Encounter will take place on Zoom so you can enjoy the experience from your own home.
Book Release Party: Dwayne Reed and “Simon B. Rhymin”
- When: Sunday
- Cost: Free, registration required
The Book Stall welcomes educator, YouTube sensation and author Dwayne Reed as his novel for young people, Simon B. Rhymin’ is available to readers ages 8 and older. This bounce-to-the-beat underdog story is about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together. Local readers will appreciate the Chicago setting.
Rebel Girls Fest
- When: Sunday
- Cost: Free, registration required
Kids can listen to a message from Melinda Gates, catch a wave with champion surfer Maya Gabeira, participate in an interactive art exercise with actress Eris Baker, conduct an experiment with inventor Ann Makosinski, dance with sisters Norah, Yarah and Rosa from Let it Happen and enjoy it all hosted by author, activist and Rebel Girl Marley Dias. The Rebel Girls Fest is a kid-focused virtual event that can help young girls unlock levels of potential.
Around Town
Learn about your own neighborhood or explore a new one (maintaining social distancing, of course) with Walkie Talkies, a new program from Chicago Children’s Theatre. Different local theater artists walk you – podcast style – through their favorite neighborhoods.
- Bank of America’s Museum’s on Us free museum weekend returns this weekend to museums and attractions around Chicagoland. Sign up for free admission to: llinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Shedd Aquarium (Sunday only), The Morton Arboretum, Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Arts or Chicago History Museum.
- Escape to the woods to learn about the ancient art of tree tapping with one of these maple sugar events. Kids will see that not much has changed when it comes to creating maple syrup.
- With the weather a little warmer, the perfect place to head is outside. Find your inner Mother Nature at one of these great hiking spots in the city and suburbs.
- If you can’t yet score a ticket to the new Marvel exhibit at MSI, try another one of these 11 new exhibits are worth checking out with a timed ticket.
- For a great look at what’s open around Chicago and the suburbs, plus the insight to pre-order a Pi Day pie, download our March Let’s Go guide.
At-Home Fun
While you and your family remain at home, you can try out a new kids’ show or virtually visit your favorite Chicagoland locations!
- Whether this is the first time or the 12th time your family has seen Hidden Figures, try out our Watch This, Do That series highlight of the movie and try some screen-free fun to accompany the flick.
- March 4 is Chicago’s Birthday (and a spry 184 it looks!). Celebrate with these great books for kids about Chicago.
- These eight great videos help introduce anti-racism to young kids or enforce it as you continue to teach your children.
- Whether you’re supplementing screen time or trying to take five minutes to wash the dishes, some educational resources and fun apps are free for kids to enjoy!
Parents Only
Partners who are so over all this family time and looking for alone time, we feel you. Whether it’s starting a fabulous puzzle or cooking a new dish together, here are a few of our favorite ideas for this weekend. (If you want more – or just like to plan ahead – check out this list of at-home date night ideas.)
- Greektown Restaurant Week highlights some of the best fare Greektown has to offer with deals from March 1-7. Specials include dine-in and carryout options.
- Dry Hop Brewers has partnered with the Lincoln Park Zoo to create a special dry hop that is one part fun and one part fundraiser. Released with the zoo’s reopening on March 5, enjoy “Grin and Bear It,” a milkshake IPA with hazelnut, huckleberry and honey, which you can pick up with a ticket to Beers and Bears.
- If you’re totally done with at-home dates, give Dead Plants, The Press Room’s newest speakeasy, a try. The only way to make a reservation for Thursday through Sunday nights is by texting 872-240-2317 and you’ll be given instructions to check in through a secret entrance (because Chicago Speakeasy, amiright?). Tables are socially distanced and the speakeasy is operating at 25 percent, even as it introduces a monthly cabaret series beginning March 13.
This post is updated regularly.
