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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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20 Best Things to Do in Chicago March 2023 with Kids

Celebrate Holi in March at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Celebrate Holi in March at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
2/26/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for things to do in March in Chicago? Here's a list of our favorite kid-friendly activities in Chicago this March.

Spring has (almost) sprung, and both kids and parents in Chicago are looking forward to sunnier days ahead.  Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Chicago in March. It's maple syrup season, and families can learn how it's made at events all over town. Flower shows also abound in the new spring air, with Garfield Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Conservatory, and Chicago Botanic Gardens all showing off their colors. 

St. Patrick's Day events are here in full force—check out the dyeing of the Chicago river and St. Patrick's Day Parades downtown, on the South Side, or in Forest Park. If you're not Irish (and/or don't want to be "Chi-rish" for the day), you could also check out Holi at Navy Pier, or Persian Norwuz in Hyde Park. Easter is April 9 this year, so early egg hunts start in March with events on the northwest side and in Lisle and Wheaton.

 

Girls Build Day is this March in Chicago. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer, courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Girls Build Day is this March in Chicago. Photo by Anna Munzesheimer, courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

Best Things To Do in Chicago in March

Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees

Daily through May 14—Garfield Park
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its spring flower show "Bee's Knees." The show displays the relationship between bees and blooms and includes tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, hydrangeas, delphiniums, azaleas, and more. Empty observation and demo hives are hidden amongst the flowers to give visitors a view from the bees' perspectives. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Kline Creek Farm

Saturdays and Sundays through March 26—West Chicago
Kids can learn where the syrup on their pancakes comes from at this event at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. Using tools from the 1890s, experts will demonstrate how to tap a tree, check collection buckets, and thicken sap over the fire. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Cooler by the Lake

Daily through May—Lincoln Park
From the end of February to Mother's Day, North Side families can enjoy a flower show highlighting the lakefront. The Lincoln Park Conservatory will feature cooler color tones and structures representing the lighthouse and boats within the conservatory. READ MORE

DuPage Comic Con

March 4—Wheaton
Might Con presents the very best new local comic artists along with special guests and deals from comic book and toy vendors at DuPage County Fairgrounds. Free comics, free parking and free admission for kids make this a great day for comic lovers. READ MORE

One Earth Film Festival

March 3-12—Oak Park, Downtown and online
Kids can learn more about the environment and threats to it through films. The One Earth Film Fest includes both in-person and virtual offerings for kids ages 3 and up. Animated and live action films provide education and entertainment for families. READ MORE

Persian Nowruz Celebration

March 12—Hyde Park
The Oriental Institute Museum hosts a Persian Nowruz Celebration -- a celebration of the Persian New Year. Guests can enjoy coloring eggs, visiting a Haft-Seen table, hunting for artifacts in the galleries, and watching performances of Persian music and dance! READ MORE

Girls Build! Day 2023

March 25—Downtown
Join the Chicago Architecture Center for a special STEM festival designed just for girls ages 11-17! Girls will build, learn and network with professionals from more than 15 different STEM organizations.   READ MORE

Dino Day at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

March 4—Oak Brook
Drop by the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art to learn all about dinosaurs through hands-on activities. Learn about Mary Anning, the first female fossilist, touch real fossils, complete puzzles, and make your own fossil imprint to take home. READ MORE

Holi at Navy Pier

March 4—Downtown
Navy Pier hosts Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Live music, educational programming and food from Bombay Wraps will be available in the AON Grand Ballroom.Colored powder will be available while supplies last from 1pm-4pm in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. READ MORE

Magnified: The Orchid Show

Daily through March 26—Glencoe
The orchid show captures the unexpected and bright nature of wild orchids, with over 1,000 orchids on view. The orchids take over a secret garden and twine around pillars in our imagination. The color and fresh blooms break through Chicago winter. READ MORE

Sap's Rising

March 4,5,11,12 and 18—Northbrook
Families can enjoy a walk through the sugar maple forest and learn how maple syrup is made. This event repeats every weekend during the first three weekend of March. Registration is required. READ MORE

Kid Author Visit: Hi, Max!

March 18—Elmhurst
Kids can get a chance to meet Malena, the child author of Hi, Max! The book is about how Malena wants kids to change their perspective by interacting more with her her brother, Max, who has cerebral palsy. READ MORE
St Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Forest Park Facebook
St Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Forest Park Facebook

St. Patrick's Day Events

Oak Forest Fleadh

March 4—Oak Forest
Visit South Suburban Oak Forest for a variety of St. Patrick's Day festivities. This year's event will include a 5k, a parade, and crafts for kids. Families can hunt for a $1,000 golden ticket along the parade route. READ MORE

Forest Park St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 4—Forest Park
Forest Park's St. Patrick's Day Parade along Madison Street includes more than 70 entries featuring Irish dancers, bagpipers, marching bands, local businesses, and Medinah Shriners parade units. Visitors can continue the celebration at local dining establishments along Madison Street. READ MORE

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 11—Naperville
Families can watch more than 100 parade entries including floats, cars, bands, dancers, and singers make their way through downtown Naperville at this event sponsored by West Suburban Irish. The parade starts at Naperville North High School and proceeds south on Mill Street to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Main, and south on Main, ending at Water Street. READ MORE

The Dyeing of the Chicago River & St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 11—Downtown
The Irish and Irish at heart can join the City of Chicago in the annual dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The best place to see the dyeing is the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and the river. The 2023 parade theme is "Recognizing Workers' Rights" READ MORE

South Side Irish Parade

March 12—Beverly
The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon from 103rd & Western and proceed south down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The Parade Honoree will be the Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) that is celebrating its 75th year of improving and developing the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park community. READ MORE
Easter is early this year, and so are the egg hunts and bunny photos.
Easter is early this year, and so are the egg hunts and bunny photos.

Easter Egg Hunts and Bunny Photos in Chicago

Lisle Easter Egg Hunt

March 18-—Lisle
Kids up to 10 years old can bring their basket to gather Easter eggs at Lisle's Community Park. Each age group will have its own designated area of the park. READ MORE

Easter Egg Hunt at Athletic Field Park

March 25—Belmont Cragin
Kids can search for eggs in age groups at Athletic Field Park. Up to 50 kids can register per group to find eggs in the field just east of the fieldhouse. READ MORE

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt at Lincoln Marsh

March 31—Wheaton
Find eggs using a series of clues Easter egg hunts in Lincoln Marsh. You'll find the eggs when you solve the riddle! READ MORE
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

More Things To Do in Chicago this Season

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Ninja and climbing gyms are a great way for older kids to get out those winter wiggles. READ MORE

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Fun and safe indoor spots for teens and tweens in Chicago. READ MORE

Best Coffee Shops in Chicago to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

The best kid-friendly places for grownups to get caffeinated. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Chicago Architecture Center
Naperville North High School