Chicago's affordable afterschool programs are located around the city. ​Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.
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Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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This August is full of fun things to do in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Howard Street Chalk Fest
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The entering class of Hogwarts.
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Try one of these fun Chicago mini golf courses. Photo courtesy of Diversey Driving Range and Mini Golf
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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
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Pool Day Birthday Party. Photo by @anjanettew, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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The Thompson Strawberry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. Photo by the author
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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These swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties. Photo courtesy of the Whealan Pool Aquatic Center
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Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
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White, sandy beaches line St. Joseph. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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It's a block party on State Street with Sundays on State. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Loop Alliance
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There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Water comin' at you from all sides! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
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Strawberries taste sweeter when you pick them yourself at one of these berry picking farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
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The Royal Grocer is a Bucktown neighborhood family-friendly restaurant (with tiki torches)!
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St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
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Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
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Stay cool with an outdoor water park near Chicago.
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Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
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Teen Filmmaking Camp is a summer camp for teens in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Chicago Filmmakers
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Art summer camps are popular in Chicago. Photo courtesy of ChiArts
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​Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Play inside again at places like Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place
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The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
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An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
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Head to the free Artist's Studio on cold and rainy days. ​Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
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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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There are many popular bar and bat mitzvah venues in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes
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Family-friendly and voted one of the top 5 escape rooms in the USA! Photo courtesy of Escape Factor in Forest Park
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Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table
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Birthday parties at these indoor skydiving venues include a flight class, two flights per guest, and party room time. Photo courtesy of iFly
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Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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The Zoo is one of the best things to do with kids in Lincoln Park. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
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Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.
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Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook
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Dine with a view at any Chicago riverfront restaurant. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
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Chicago's museums are some of the top attractions in the city. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
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Spectacular city views of the Chicago Skyline in River North. Photo courtesy of Wendella Boat Tours.
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Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.
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Chalk Howard Street is one of the street festivals in Chicago this weekend. Chalk art by Anat Ronen, photo courtesy of Chalk Howard Street
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Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
4/2/23 - By Nicole Farrell

It's spring! Time for festivals and fairs in Chicago as the temperatures rise. From Easter to Holi to Earth Day, and from kites to art, Chicago kids have no shortage of spring festivals in Chicago to make the most of warmer weather on the way...most of them FREE. Plus there are can't-miss cultural festivals in Chicago like the Umbrella Arts Festival, the Polish Parade, and the Festival Mole de Mayo. Get your calendars out and start making plans—spring is here!

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Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk. Photo by Ketan Rajput, via Unsplash
Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk. Photo by Ketan Rajput, via Unsplash

Chicago Fairs and Festivals in April

Belmont Bunny Hop

Saturday, April 1, 2023—Lakeview
Hop to local businesses along Belmont Avenue to pick up Easter eggs and raffle tickets for gift cards and Squishmallows. Families can enjoy spring-themed crafts at participating businesses. Tickets for photos with the Easter Bunny are $30.   READ MORE

Hoppy Easter Festival

Saturday, April 1, 2023—Naperville
Take a walk down the Bunny Trail in Naperville's Safety Town. Kids can enjoy an egg hunt, treat stations, a photo op with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, live bunnies, and an instrument petting zoo. READ MORE

Local Author Fest

Saturday, April 1, 2023—Wheaton
Families can come see their favorite local authors at Wheaton Public Library as they read and sign their works. Kids' authors Anna Marie Guiffre and Marina Heath Lindber will read their books aloud at a special story time. READ MORE

Great Midwestern Train Show

Sunday, May 7, 2023 — Wheaton (kids under 12 FREE)
Train enthusiasts can visit with more than 180 exhibitors at the world's largest monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. The show hosts more than 550 tables of trains in five buildings. Exhibitors sell, repair, and display model trains for fans of all ages. READ MORE

Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk

Saturday, April 8, 2023—Naperville
The Vedic Cultural Society invites visitors to celebrate spring, friendship, and forgiveness by throwing bags of colored flour at their friends at the Naperville Riverwalk. The event includes food, music, and shopping. Admission is free, and colored bags are available for $2.50. READ MORE

The Great Easter Parade

Saturday, April 8, 2023—Berwyn
Look out for the Easter Bunny as he rides on a float down 16th Street from Jefferson Field to Prairie Oak Gym. Kids can then hunt for Easter eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny at the Easter Eggstravaganza. READ MORE

Chicago Steampunk Exhibition

Friday, April 14- Sunday, April 16, 2023—Schaumburg
The theme of this year's family friendly steampunk exhibition is “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Fantastic Discovery of the Fae World.” Kids can find a variety of activities themed around the old-fashioned fairy tale world at this unique exhibition throughout the weekend. Enjoy learning how to make a book, swim with a mermaid, or get a silhouette portrait made as you party like it's 1899. READ MORE

Earth Day Fair at Dvorak Park

Saturday, April 15—Pilsen (FREE)
Dvorak Park hosts a special Earth Day event, where kids and their caregivers can learn how they can reduce their carbon footprint through interactive displays, demonstrations, and arts and crafts projects. READ MORE

Oak Park Conservatory Kids' Fest

Sunday, April 16, 2023—Oak Park
Kids can learn more about plants and bees at the Oak Park Conservatory's annual Kids Fest. The event includes a celebration of bees and bee keeping, hands-on educational activities, a scavenger hunt, and crafts. This year's theme, Life Under a Log, will be highlighted by a visit from The Frog Lady, as well as partners from Trailside Museum, Field Museum, and Illinois Master Naturalists. READ MORE

Kick Off Earth Week at Gallagher Way

Sunday, April 16, 2023—Wrigleyville
Families can recycle old paint or other craft items and make ecofriendly crafts at this environmentally friendly event at Gallagher Way. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams will also offer a tasting with compostable spoons. READ MORE

Experience Central Street

Thursday, April 20- Wednesday, April 26, 2023—Evanston
Explore Central Street in downtown Evanston for a full week this spring. The event includes mini-workshops, demonstrations, tastings, and more. READ MORE

Earth Day Clean Up and Celebration at Humboldt Park

Saturday, April 22, 2023 — Humboldt Park
Spend the morning cleaning up Humboldt Park, then celebrate Earth Day in the afternoon. The celebration includes recycled art, refreshments, and live music to celebrate the planet. READ MORE

Earth Day Summit

Saturday, April 22, 2023—Lemont
Celebrate our amazing planet and find ways to make an impact at the Forge at Lemont Quarries. Activities include a hug-a-tree nature trail, vendor village, activities for kids, workshops for all ages, conservation projects, live entertainment, food trucks, additional donation-required activities (fun run and fishing derbies). READ MORE
Photo courtesy of the Polish Constitution Day Parade
Photo courtesy of the Polish Constitution Day Parade

Chicago Fairs and Festivals in May

Lilac Time

Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 21 — Lombard (FREE)
The Village of Lombard celebrates spring and the blooming of the 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips in Lilacia Park with this annual festival. The festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts fair, botanical tours, a 5K, a parade, and a father-daughter dance. Entry to the park is always free, but some events charge admission. READ MORE

Polish Constitution Day Parade

Saturday, May 6, 2023 — Grant Park (FREE)
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to attend the Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade, in celebration of the Polish Constitution of 1791 and Poland's Independence. The theme for 2023 is “Polish American Partnership for Peace”   READ MORE

Go Fly A Kite

Saturday, May 6, 2023 — Wheaton (FREE)
Go Fly a Kite is a free event held in Wheaton’s Graf Park that encourages the community to come out and enjoy spring and fly kites! This event is a great opportunity for local companies and organizations to promote and showcase their business to families within the community. This event brings over 1,000 participants of all ages each year. The grand launch takes place at 11 a.m. and is followed by kids’ activities and a kite demonstration. READ MORE

Art in Wilder Park

Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023 — Elmhurst (FREE)
Families can enjoy a beautiful day in the park along with the artwork of more than 100 artists, food, music, and children's activities. A wide variety of artwork will be for sale including jewelry, glass, ceramics, painting, photography and sculpture. Live music will play and Pilot Pete's Coffee & Treats will be on hand at Wilder Mansion providing coffee, pastries, and lunch. READ MORE

Great Midwestern Train Show

Sunday, May 7, 2023 — Wheaton (kids under 12 FREE)
Train enthusiasts can visit with more than 180 exhibitors at the world's largest monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. The show hosts more than 550 tables of trains in five buildings. Exhibitors sell, repair, and display model trains for fans of all ages. READ MORE

Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History

Sunday, May 7, 2023 — River Forest (FREE)
Spring in Chicago has (finally) sprung and kids can celebrate with animal encounters, tree climbing, guided spring wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, seed planting, birdhouse building, and more. The free event will take place at River Forest's Trailside Museum of Natural History. READ MORE

Mayfest Lincoln Park

Friday, May 12- Sunday, May 14, 2023—Lincoln Park
End spring and kick off summer with live music and festival foods in Lincoln Park. Families can check out music from Upbeat Music and Miss Foozie's Pet Parade. READ MORE

Open House Chicago Fair Trade

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Old Town
The whole family can enjoy World Fair Trade Day, celebrating fair trade with a Candy Cottage and Bake Shop, games, a cake walk, and more interactive, educational programs. There will also be a boutique featuring a wide range of fair trade products, from home decor, to kitchenwares, and more from locally-owned, Chicago Fair Trade businesses. READ MORE

Switch on Summer with ComEd

Saturday, May 13, 2023— Downtown (FREE)
The whole family can join ComEd and the Chicago Park District to watch the Buckhingham fountain officially switch on at 2 p.m., and enjoy free family-friendly activities and live entertainment!  READ MORE

Umbrella Arts Festival

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Evanston
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture and art in downtown Evanston. This event is designed to increase visibility and representation of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, create shared experiences, and dispel myths. The umbrella symbolizes the ASPA diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 countries around the world. READ MORE

Spring Roscoe Village Art and Craft Festival

Saturday, May 13- Sunday, May 14, 2023—Roscoe Village
This new spring festival on Chicago's North Side includes fabulous paintings, sculptures, and fiber pieces, as well as décor, jewelry and more, all made by local artists. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. Bring your old art to donate to Chicago Furniture Bank. READ MORE

Skokie Festival of Cultures

Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21, 2023—Skokie
Celebrate all the cultures of the world in the multi-cultural suburb of Skokie. The event in Oakton Park includes two stages of music and dancing, food and beverage vendors, children's games and activities, interactive cultural booths, and an amazing display of flags. READ MORE

Northbrook Art in the Park

Saturday, May 20-Sunday, May 21, 2023—Northbrook
More than 80 artists fill Village Green Park with their wares as restaurants, bars and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. READ MORE

Festival Mole de Mayo

Friday, May 26 - Sunday, May 28, 2023 — Pilsen
The Economic Strategies Development Corporation (ESDC) of Pilsen hosts the 11th annual Mole de Mayo festival, including a Mole cook-off between local restaurant chefs, 3 stages of live musical entertainment, wrestling performances, and food and artisan booths from local merchants.  READ MORE

Chicago Memorial Day Parade

Saturday, May 27 — Chicago Loop (FREE)
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to the annual Memorial Day Parade, in honor of all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The parade begins at noon, following a wreath laying ceremony at 11am in Daley Plaza, and proceeds from State and Lake to Van Buren Street. READ MORE

Barrington Art Festival

Saturday, May 27- Sunday, May 28, 2023—Barrington
More than 120 artists fill the streets of downtown Barrington with their wares as restaurants, bars and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. READ MORE

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Saturday, May 27- Sunday, May 28, 2023—Lakeview
Families can kick off summer with music, food, and drinks at this annual Lakeview street festival. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Forge Lemont Quarries
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Chicago Fair Trade Museum and Store