Free Spring Activities for Families in Chicago

1. See a parade in downtown Chicago

They're not just for winter holidays: Chicagoans can enjoy the Polish Constitution Day Parade or the Memorial Day Parade downtown this May. 

2. Check out a free museum day at one of our favorite museums

We have a whole list of museums that are always free or have free days. Pick one for a full day or several half-day museums.

3. Help clean up the river for Chicago River Day

We just saw it dyed green, now it's time to clean it up at a special holiday just for our river on May 10.
 
'Go Run hosts free races on Saturdays. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Area Runners and Chicago Park District 

4. 'Go for a Run

Chicago Area Runners Association hosts a free 'Go Run — one mile or 5k — in a different Chicago park each Saturday morning. Set your personal best in the spring and try to beat it before the end of the season in the fall!

5. Or go for a hike

We have a list of favorite places to go hiking as the weather warms up this spring!

6. Visit the Adler Planetarium on a Wednesday after school — it's free Wednesday evenings through the end of April

Plus, there's a new solar system exhibit called Other Worlds, and a new sky show, Niyah and the Multiverse, written and performed by Chicago artists.

Outdoor Spring Adventures in Chicago 

7. See the new Vivid Creatures sculptures at the Morton Arboretum

Five new sculptures of a deer, a snail, a squirrel, a dragonfly, and a sandhill crane will be hidden among the trees at this Lisle public garden. Unlike the previous exhibits, these will be brightly colored and represent animals you may find at the arboretum. The new scultpures go up on May 17.

8. Celebrate Earth Day with Chicago Park District or Cook County Forest Preserves

Clean up a bit of local trail or river, or learn more about how you can save energy (and money) at an Earth Day event in or around Chicago.

9. Go birdwatching

Birding activities for all ages often take place at parks or forest preserves like North Park Nature Village, Northerly Island, and Big Marsh Woods.

10. Ride a bike

Rent a Divvy or hop on your own two-wheeler (or three-wheeler) to tour the city via the 606 or the Lake Front Trail.

11. Fly a kite

Spring is usually quite windy in Chicago, making it the perfect time to fly a kite on your own or at kite fests in Wheaton or Schaumburg.

12. Visit The Forge: Lemont Quarries for high ropes adventures and new falconry courses

There's something for everyone at this outdoor adventure park in southwest suburban Lemont. Check out climbing, paddle sports, gem mining, trails, biking, and a new immersive falconry experience where you can learn to handle birds of prey.

13. Take a riding lesson at Double J Riding Club

Private lessons in the after school and weekend hours are available starting April 1. Kids can try just one lesson to see if they like it, or sign up for recurring lessons.

14. Take a tour of the Chicago Botanic Garden

There's lots of flowers and trees in bloom and you can learn how to grow your own garden or see what's in bloom with a class or tour at the north shore garden.

15. Try an animal experience at Cosley Zoo

Take part in morning chores, meet an armadillo, make a coyote connection, or get trained to take part in a frog-watching program to continue your fun throughout the summer.

 
Mini Golf at the Bunny Hutch. Photo by Daniel X O'Neil, via Flickr 2.0

16. Go miniature golfing

We have lots of great mini golf courses for outdoor entertainment in Chicago, but we've also made a list of great places to go for indoor golf on the days when it's too cold, rainy, or windy!

17. Go camping

It's finally warm enough to leave the Arctic sleeping bag at home, and there aren't any bees yet! Check out our list of favorite camping places in the Chicago area.

18. Stay on the look out for Crown Fountain to turn on

The city website says it should be open by mid-spring, but it needs to be warm enough not to freeze! This is a great pre-pool season option for kids who like to get wet.

19. See Art on the Mart

Stand across the river from the Merchandise Mart and see the new exhibition from video artist Shana Moulton starting April 25.

Educational Spring Activities for Kids in Chicago

20. Take a sunset bus tour 

Big Bus Tours gives sunset perspectives of the city and details its history and architecture.

21. Explore a high speed physics adventure in the Chicago Children's Museum's Zoom Room

This interactive exhibit has 40 tracks and hundreds of cars to help show kids how things move. See it now before it gets crowded in the summer!

22. Dress to impress at the Chicago History Museum's Dressed in History exhibit

You can also see a historical fashion show or a presentation by a fashion illustrator related to the exhibit.

23. Visit a local library and check out a book or attend a story time

There are lots of fun and free activities, from story time to crafts to movies at branch libraries all over the city.

 
Take an Architectural Boat Tour through the city. Photo by Nairn McWilliams, via Flickr 2.0

24. Go on a Chicago architecture tour by river boat

It's no longer too icy to get through the river, so you can enjoy the sites of the city from the deck of a Wendella boat.

25. Do a budget friendly weekend trip

Easter and Memorial Day provide families with good opportunities to get in a short break before summer vacation starts.

26. Attend a stargazing event

The sun still goes down before bedtime, but it's not too cold to be outside to check out the stars during Chicago's spring season! Check out free public stargazing events from Naperville Astronomical Society on select Saturdays in April and May.

27. Learn about African fashion, cats, and Hula at the Field Museum

Cats: Predators to Pets is open at the Field Museum through April 26. Africa Fashion runs through June, and Chicago's Legacy Hula will stay through October. In addition to these special exhibits, you can also check out Sue the T-rex and other Field Museum favorites!

 
See The Art and Science of Arachnids exhibit. Photo credit: Little Rays Exhibitions, courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Museum

28. Study and draw spiders at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Running through May 4, The Art and Science of Arachnids exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum may bring out the spider lover in some arachnophobic kids. This is the perfect museum for an indoor/outdoor experience — pair it with a walk around the North Pond or a trip to Lincoln Park Zoo just across Fullerton.

29. Celebrate one year of Flyover Chicago

The cool immersive experience at Navy Pier lets you ride over the sights and sounds of the city. They've also added a separate experience, Legendary Iceland, if you want to see and feel a different part of the world.

30. Go for a preseason swim at one of our favorite indoor pools

My daughter can't wait for it to be warm enough to swim outdoors, but in the meantime, there are lots of hotel pools with resort passes so kids can swim all year round.

31. Visit American Science and Surplus for hands-on events and experiments

The stores in Park Ridge and Geneva host events most Sunday afternoons in April. Kids who like making slime, busting geodes, even marbling Easter eggs will love one of these creative workshops.

Creative and Artsy Spring Ideas in Chicago

32. Visit at art show

Amdur Productions has art fairs in Deer Park, Northbrook, Roscoe Village, Barrington, and Deerfield in May.

33. See a children's play

Chicago Children's Theatre has a bilingual production of Go, Dog, Go! and Chicago Kids' Company is putting on Chicken Little.

34. Experience Riverdance in its 30th anniversary season

The Irish dance sensation play at the Cadillac Palace Theatre April 22-27. Kids ages 3 and up are welcome!

35. Visit the Art Institute to see lots of cool rotating exhibits

Check out Myth and Marble, Lines of Connection, Modern Japanese Portraits in Print, and Nancy Holt: Seeing in the Round before they close this spring.

36. Get two-for-one art exhibits at Navy Pier

The Giving Her Flowers exhibit celebrates female artists and runs through April 27. Families can also visit the Expo Chicago Contemporary Art Fair from April 24-27.

Delicious Spring Food Experiences in Chicago 

37. Switch from deep dish pizza season to hot dog season

Grill one of your own from Chicago based Vienna Beef, or attend Windy City Hot Dog Fest to taste some of the city's favorites.

38. Get a lavender-dipped cone at Dairy Queen in Lombard

The purple dip is white chocolate flavored and only available during Lilac Time in May.

39. Try a suburban Restaurant Week

Chicago Restaurant Week ends in February, but Hinsdale, Lisle, and Joliet host their own restaurant weeks in April.

40. Eat a new fruit or vegetable at Green City Market

The giant farmer's market moves back outside for the season in April.

 
White Sox Fans. Photo by Ryan Dickey via Flickr 2.0

41. See a White Sox game and enjoy new menu items

After the Campfire Shake went viral last year, the Sox marketing team got together and created a new slate of food options, including some great kid-friendly options like bubble waffles, strawberry nachos, Korean dogs, and the Unicorn, a deep fried marshmallow coated with Fruity Pebbles and sweetened condensed milk.

Spring Festivals and Events for Families in Chicago 

42. See animals in spring at Brookfield Zoo Chicago's New Spring Fest event

The shindig will feature live music, an art fair, and the opening of a new Rainbow cone location at the zoo.

43. Celebrate Easter with an egg hunt or bunny breakfast

We've got dozens of events lined up to satisfy your taste for all things sweet and cute this Easter season!

44. Attend a Mayfest (or Maifest)

Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, and Cantigny each host their own German celebration with Maypoles, sausages, and beverages!

45. See Paw Patrol at the Chicago Theatre

This fun and interactive show picks up where The Mighty Movie left off, but with live action characters.

46. Take part in an Easter Egg hunt

There are dozens going on in and around Chicago, mostly the weekends of April 12 and April 19.

47. Celebrate Mother's Day

Give mom what she wants, from a run in a 5k to a spa treatment to a walk through Garfield Park Conservatory! Don't forget our list of best Mother's Day brunches!

 
Mexico Fest is one of several great Spring festivals in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier 

48. Learn about another culture at a festival

There's Mexico Fest at Navy Pier, Umbrella Arts Fest in Evanston, and even Multicultural Fest in Skokie!

49. Visit - or revisit- Hershey's Super Sweet Adventure

The pop-up experience is back at Water Tower Place through May 31 with new games to play. Experience your favorite sweets in a whole new way with obstacle courses, VR wrapper design, and smell machines.

50. Play in an immersive gaming experience

Visit Oak Brook and try out Wonderverse, Activate Game Room, or Immersive Gamebox for an experience where you are part of the game!