The Ice Slide at Light Up the Lake. Photo courtesy of the event.
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The mysterious Great Impresario, the man who has designed and created the World’s Fair, brings the magic of the season to life! Photo by Tod Ros for the Joffrey Ballet.
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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School Break Camps: Holiday and Spring Break Camps to Keep Kids Busy on Days Off

Whether your kids are into theater, cooking, sports, or STEM, we've got you covered! Photo courtesy of Snapology Chicago
Whether your kids are into theater, cooking, sports, or STEM, we've got you covered! Photo courtesy of Snapology Chicago
3/3/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Finding spring break camps for your kids doesn't have to be stressful. With so many local organizations opening their doors to kids for half- and full-day camps, your kids can have fun and learn something different during that week off school. Not quite like the spring break itinerary you planned in your 20s, but important nonetheless! 

Whether your kids are into theater, cooking, sports, STEM, skateboarding, or even The Floor is Lava, there are spring break camps for them in the Chicago area. Many also offer camps during the summer, during winter breaks, and even single-day camps for Teacher Institute Days and other school-but-not-work holidays.

You can also check out our Chicago Camp Guide for more school break camps and summer camps or search our list of indoor playspaces to see if they have special programming happening for spring break. Be sure to check their deadlines before it's too late! 

 

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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

Spring Break and Day Off Camps Downtown and on the South Side

Chicago Children's Theater Spring Break Camp

West Loop - Grades K-2
Spring Break
Kids in grades K-2 can work with others to sing, dance and craft their way to a better world during Spring Break. Camp runs from 9:30-3:30 Monday through Friday, with a performance showcasing the world of tomorrow as imagined by kids today on the final day of camp. READ MORE

Museum of Science and Industry Spring Break Camps

Hyde Park - Grades 3-8
Spring Break, Summer Break, Day Off Camps
Choose the "Fab-tastic Spring" maker camp or the "Spring Has Sprung" engineering camp at the Museum of Science and Industry for spring break. These hands-on experiences are available Monday through Friday of spring break from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids in grades 3-8. After care is available until 4 p.m. READ MORE

FAME Center Fine Arts Spring Break Camp

South Loop - Ages 4-10
Spring Break, Summer Break
Kids ages 4-10 will learn visual arts and music in this full-day camp in the South Loop. Counselors and campers will fill the rest of their days with their team doing fun, creative group activities, camp games, and a community camp project.  READ MORE

Kids Science Labs School Break Camps

South Loop, Roscoe Village, and Northbrook - Ages 4-12
Spring Break, Summer Break, Winter Break, School Days Off
Kids can keep learning while school is out at three Chicago area locations of Kids Science Labs in the South Loop, Roscoe Village, and Northbrook. A camp day typically has science classes in the morning, snack break, lunch, afternoon outdoor experiences, and an art/design class to close out the day. Half day and full day experience are available for kids ages 4-12. READ MORE

YMCA Spring Break Camp

Multiple Chicago area locations - Ages 5-12
Spring Break, Summer Break, Winter Break, School Days Off
For families that need camp that starts early in the morning or can go until 6 p.m., the YMCA of Metro Chicago provies a fun and safe environment for children over spring break. Camps include arts and crafts, games, sports, STEAM activities and more. READ MORE

Spring Break and Day Off Camps on the North Side

Second City Spring Break Comedy Camps

Old Town - Ages 7-18
Spring Break, Summer Break
Explore the fundamentals of improv and comedy and develop skills like creative thinking, self-confidence, listening, brainstorming, team building, empathy, and communication at this weeklong spring break camp. Campers are divided into sections for ages 7-11 and 12-18 for classes that run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Snapology Spring Break Camps

Lakeview - Ages 5-14
Spring Break, Summer Break
Choose from half-day or full-day camps with technology themes at these Lakeview day camps during spring break. Kids ages 5-14 can select Video Game Favorites or Minecraft Movie Making Camp. The morning session is 9-12, the afternoon session is 1-4, or kids can go all day from 9-4. READ MORE

Kids Clay Room Spring Break Camp

Lincoln Park - Ages 5 and up
Spring Break, Summer Break
Kids ages five and up can register for workshops or spring break camp at Kids Clay Room. Learn pinch, coil, and slab techniques or try a mold to create your own paintable project. Art pieces will be ready for pick up in about three weeks. READ MORE

Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio Spring Break Cooking and Baking Camp

Portage Park - Ages 5-11
Spring Break, Summer Break, Day Off Camps
Kids can learn a new recipe each day, and also make crafts and play games during spring break at Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio in Portage Park. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids ages 5-11. Kids will bring home what they cooked each day along with recipes so you can continue cooking at home. READ MORE

Music House Performing Arts Day Off Camp

Humboldt Park
Spring Break, Summer Break, Day Off Camps
Music House in Humboldt Park is offering spring break camps focusing on instrumental music, dance,  theater, and visual art classes with breaks to socialize in between for kids ages 4-11. Sign up for just one day or all five from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with before and after care available. READ MORE

Spring Break Camps in the Western and Southwestern Suburbs

Westmont Yard School Day Out

Westmont - Grades K-8
Spring Break, DuPage County School Days Off, Summer Camp
Kids can enjoy activities and field trips at Westmont Yard on days off of school in the western suburbs. Drop off your child between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. for days of sports and outings with siblings or friends. Children must be picked up by 6 p.m. Westmont Yard School Day Off programs are available for kids in grades K-8. READ MORE

High Five Sports Club Spring Break and Day Off Camp

Naperville - Ages 4-14
Spring Break, Naperville School Days Off, Summer Camp
Kids ages 4-14 can enjoy a full day of sports-related fun during spring break and days off of school at Naperville's High Five Sports Club. Learn about and compete in a wide variety of sports including: basketball, baseball, flag football, soccer, dodgeball, team handball, and more. Camps from 9-3 with after care available until 5. READ MORE

Naperville Area Humane Society Spring Break Camp

Naperville - Ages 12-15
Spring Break
Teens and tweens who love animals can spend a week taking care of pets and learning about animal welfare issues a the Naperville Area Humane Society this spring break. Kids ages 12-15 will work alongside volunteers on cleaning, chores, enrichment and socialization from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day during the school break. READ MORE

Morton Arboretum Spring Science Camp: Seasonal Scientist

Lisle - Grades K-6
Spring Break, Summer Break
Spring is a season of science at the Morton Arboretum! Kids in grades K-6 can learn about how light and weather make the forest come to life from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of spring break.  READ MORE

Spectacular Spring Art Camp

Riverside - Ages 5 and up
Spring Break, Summer Break
Explore a wide variety of projects in materials such as clay, fibers, collage, sculpture, paint, chalk, mosaics, and more at Riverside Arts Center's Spectacular Spring Art Camp. Kids ages five and up can sign up for just one day or all five days from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Campers will be grouped by age level. READ MORE
School Holiday Cooking Camp. Photo courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen
School Holiday Cooking Camp. Photo courtesy of Taste Buds Kitchen

Spring Break and Day Off Camps in the Northern and Northwestern Suburbs

Chicago Botanic Garden Break Camps

Glencoe - Grades K-4
Spring Break, Summer Break, Winter Break
Explore the Chicago Botanic Garden with nature and plant investigations, science and art activities, and outdoor discoveries all year long with Chicago Botanic Garden Camps for Spring, Summer or Winter Break. Kids in grades K-4 can sign up for single-day sessions during spring or winter break, each with a different nature-based theme. READ MORE

Taste Buds Kitchen School Holiday Cooking Camp

Bannockburn - Ages 4-13
Spring Break, Summer Break, School Days Off
Taste Buds Kitchen's local franchise in north suburban Bannockburn offers weeklong or single-day options for school days off for kids ages 4-13. The Spring Break 2024 Camp is half day and focuses on baking cupcakes and cookies. READ MORE

Asylum Skate Park Spring Break Camp

Lake Bluff - Ages 7 and up
Spring Break, Summer Break, Winter Break
Learn to skateboard or improve your skills with professional instruction at Asylum Skate Park. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, with formal instruction from 9:30-12 and 1-2. Skaters have the option to stay in the park for the rest of the day for free skate with instructors present until 5 p.m. READ MORE

Hot Grounds Gym Spring Break Camp

Arlington Heights and Libertyville - Ages 6-14
Spring Break, Summer Break, School Days Off
Hot Grounds Gym lets kids play The Floor is Lava throughout the day with obstacle courses, entertaining games, and team-building missions. These north suburbanspring break camps combine fun, fitness, and teamwork to keep campers busy during the break. Hot Grounds Gym offers full and half day options for kids ages 6-14. READ MORE

Writers Theatre Mischief Makers Spring Break Camp

Glencoe - Ages 8-12
Spring Break
Aspring writers and actors can use games and imaginative play to explore rascals from Peter Pan to Loki to Bugs Bunny to write and act out a play at this north suburban spring break camp. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to kids of any experience level ages 8-12.  READ MORE

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