Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - various times
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Spring Break 2023: 40 Fun Things To Do in Chicago
The week of April 3-7 is spring break for Chicago public schools, and if you're looking for things to do while the kids are out of school, then we've got you covered. There’s plenty to do around town for Chicago families, even if they're not ready to take a day trip out of town yet—though if you are, we've got some great suggestions! Our list of the best things to do with kids over spring break includes special events and exhibitions, over a dozen ideas for ways to get outside and explore the (slowly warming) outdoors, and a whole bunch of favorite indoor spots.
Best of all: Most of these activities are FREE or very low-cost! So go out there and enjoy spring break. We're always here if you need even more ideas for things to do each day...
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Houston Family Play Tree House photo courtesy of Lincoln Park Zoo
1. See the animals waking up from winter at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Don't forget to stop at the new Houston Family Play Tree House. FREE
2. Visit a new neighborhood. Check out our kid-friendly neighborhood guides here.
3. Take in the spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. FREE
4. Enjoy a day at the pool without a plane ticket at one of these indoor pools with day passes.
5. Walk through the beautiful and historic Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum.
6. The spring migration season is one of the very best times of year to visit the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. FREE
7. Hit up some Easter egg hunts as we approach Easter weekend.
RELATED: 100 Things to Do With Chicago Kids Before They Grow Up
8. See what's blooming around the Lincoln Park Conservancy's serene hidden gem the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. FREE
9. Bring your gamers to the latest exhibit at Chicago GameSpace.
10. Get out for a bike ride or a scooter run on the 606 and stop to play at the climbing structures at Julia De Burgos Park. FREE
Photo courtesy of the Maggie Daley Park Facebook page
11. Play at one of Chicago's many destination playgrounds. FREE
12. Walk or bike the Lakefront Trail and stop for a picnic in the grass. FREE
13. Immerse yourself in The Museum of Science and Industry.
14. Be surrounded by the magic of Mozart at the Immersive Mozart experience in Old Town.
Chicago History Museum photo by Maureen Wilkey
15. Catch a fly ball or play in a life-size hot dog at the sensory exhibit at the Chicago History Museum.
16. Support Northwestern University's theater program and catch a show at the amazing children's theater Imagine U.
17. Go on a staycation at Timber Ride Lodge or Great Wolf Lodge or just enjoy some pool time with a private afternoon rental. It is guaranteed to be warmer than Lake Michigan in March!
Explore the miniature Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Museum
18. Explore fun for kids and more exhibits at the Art Institute of Chicago.
19. Treat the kids to a show at like The Three Little Pigs or The Tortoise and the Hare.
20. Book a private movie showing just for family and friends at AMC Theaters, Marcus Theatres, or Hollywood Boulevard.
21. Head to Brookfield Zoo to see the dolphins back in action and more.
22. Tuesdays are free days at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (And here's when kids get in free to other Chicago museums, zoos, and cultural institutions.)
23. Visit Water Tower Place to check out what's new at the LEGO store and American Girl. (Maybe stock up on a few goodies for those Easter baskets when they're not looking...)
24. Don't forget the library... The children's room at the Harold Washington Library downtown is always worth a visit on a rainy spring afternoon.
Photo courtesy of the DuPage Children's Museum
25. Spend the day at one of the top-notch children's museums in Chicago: Children's Museum of Oak Lawn, KidsWork Children’s Museum, Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview, and DuPage Children’s Museum.
26. Explore a slightly off-the-beaten-path museum like the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst, full of unusual treasures—and FREE on Wednesdays.
27. Take a hike! We've recommended more than a dozen routes in and around the city.
28. Settle in for a good read at one of Chicago’s independent bookstores. FREE
29. Play tourist in your hometown with a visit to the Willis Tower Skydeck or the Chicago 360 observation deck in the John Hancock Center.
30. If you've managed to live in Chicago without doing an architecture river cruise, you're missing out!
31. Try for a turkey at Pinstripes bowling locations in the city, Oak Brook, South Barrington, or Northbrook.
Funtime Unicorn by Artist Derrick Adams will debut on April 15th. Photo courtesy of Art on the Mart
32. Stay out after dark to catch Art at the Mart, a dazzling display on the front of the Merchandise Mart building that plays for two hours after sundown Wednesday through Sunday. FREE
33. Snap some Instagram-worthy shots in front of the Pilsen murals. FREE
34. Do a public art walk downtown: Within a few city blocks, you can see the iconic Cloud Gate at Millennium Park, the Daley Plaza Picasso and Miró's Chicago sculpture, Agora in Grant Park, the Sounding Sculpture at the Aon Center, the Flamingo at the Federal Center Plaza, and Chagall's Four Seasons mural at Chase Tower. FREE
35. Visit an underground art gallery in the Chicago Pedway, Space p11.
36. Climb, slide, dress up, make-believe, or play at one of the city’s best indoor play spaces.
37. Break out of a family-friendly escape room.
Photo courtesy of Bedazzled Salon
38. Pamper yourself and the kids with a kid-friendly nail and spa day.
39. Pick up a free craft kit for kids to make a spring-themed craft at your local library.
40. Enjoy a shark feeding or must-see tour at the Shedd Aquarium, or visit the sea life museum.
