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Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids this Spring

Celebrate Holi at Navy Pier this spring in Chicago. Photo by James Richards IV, courtesy of Navy Pier
Celebrate Holi at Navy Pier this spring in Chicago. Photo by James Richards IV, courtesy of Navy Pier
3/13/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Is it officially spring yet? No one knows for sure if the last snow of the season is officially behind us in Chicago, but we do know that plenty of fun events await as kids approach spring break and the end of the school year. Flower shows are back in full force with Chicago Botanic Gardens showing off its orchids, Garfield Park Conservatory offering up playful plant-themed knock-knock jokes, and Lincoln Park Conservatory standing tall with its pillars of spring. Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are another popular theme of Chicago's spring events, with the Field Museum giving kids a chance to Doze with the Dinos, Kid Works Children's Museum hosting a weeklong Dino Works event, and Brookfield Zoo following up its Dinos Everywhere show with an animatronic Ice Age Giants exhibit. And plays and music based on books and fairy tales ignite the minds of kids throughout the city: Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents Jack and the Beanstalk; Chicago Children's Theater is putting on Carmela Full of Wishes based on a recent picture book, and Chicago Kids Theatre acts out modern versions of Rapunzel and the The Ugly Duckling.

We've got ideas for Pi Day, Easter, and Mother's Day. If it's cold over spring break, check out our list of winter day trips near Chicago. If it's warm, you can try out some of our favorite summer day trips. Or skip going out of town together and take a staycation in Chicago with some of our top tourist attractions (who knows, you might catch us there doing a review). 

Hope springs eternal that this will be a great year to have kids in Chicago, so get out there and enjoy it!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Spring Flower Show: Knock Knock, photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory
Spring Flower Show: Knock Knock, photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory

Family-Friendly Spring Events in Chicago

The Orchid Show of Wonders

Daily through March 27⁠—Glencoe
Step right up to The Orchid Show of Wonders, where your favorite carnival and circus attractions come to life in new ways.The orchid show captures the unexpected and bright nature of wild orchids, with over 10,000 orchids on view.  READ MORE

Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Rooted in Mystery

Daily through May 8⁠—Garfield Park
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its spring flower show "Rooted in Mystery." The show explores the important roles of roots in a plant, including the lesser known functions, like plants using roots to "talk" to one another.  READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Spectrum of Spring

Daily through May 8⁠—Lincoln Park
From the end of February to Mother's Day, see this flower show that highlights the color families of plants and flowers and offers a unique design and color scheme. Marvel at the robust color blocking of bulbs such as ‘Delft Blue’ Hyacinth, ‘Red Impression’ Tulip, and ‘Golden Yellow’ Crocus.  READ MORE

Chicago Kids Theatre Presents Rapunzel

March 12- August 5⁠—Beverly
This one-hour musical based on the original fairy tale features a royal couple whose daughter is raised by their wacky gardener after they steal a precious plant. After 18 years growing incredibly long hair, she meets a handsome prince and who might help her escape. READ MORE

Notes for Peace

March 13 and April 7⁠—Downtown
Join Purpose for Pain, a non-profit that supports parents who have lost children to gun violence, to listen to songs written since the start of the pandemic. Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Irene Taylor Trust are joined by vocalists Melinda Alberty, Leah Dexter, and Meaghan McNeal. READ MORE

Dozin' With the Dinos

Fridays through April 8⁠—South Loop
The Field Museum hosts "Dozin' with the Dinos," where families with kids age 6-12 can stay overnight and experience the museum after dark. Guests can put on their pajamas and explore exhibits by flashlight! READ MORE

'Go Run

Saturdays through November⁠—Citywide
Kids and grown-ups can try to set new PRs at these weekly free races sponsored by the Chicago Area Runners Association and the Chicago Park District. One mile and 5K courses are featured at a different park throughout the city each week. READ MORE

Holi at Navy Pier

March 19⁠—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

Chicago Kids Theatre Presents The Ugly Duckling

March 23- August 5⁠—Belmont Cragin
The Chicago Kids Theatre troop presents an anti-bullying message about a duck who doesn't quite fit in with her classmates on the first day of Lucky Ducky School. The one-hour musical based on the classic fairy tale celebrates uniqueness. READ MORE

DuPage Comic Con

March 20⁠—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. The legendary cosplay contest starts at 3:30 p.m. Free comics, free parking and free admission for kids make this a great day for comic lovers. READ MORE

Holi-Festival of Color

April 9⁠—Naperville
Come celebrate the Hindu spring festival of Holi. Learn the history and meaning of this festival, and how it is celebrated in India and around the world.  READ MORE

Maple Syrup Festival

March 20⁠—Northbrook
Learn about the history and method used to tap maples for syrup and celebrate spring at this event at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Kids can enjoy spring-themed activities, crafts and games. READ MORE

Chicago Restaurant Week

March 25- April 10⁠—City and Suburbs
Families can try some of the best restaurants in Chicago and its suburbs with pre-fixe meals for just $30 for brunch or lunch and $45 or $60 for dinner. READ MORE

Ice Age Giants at Brookfield Zoo

April 1- October 30⁠—Brookfield
Experience the giant mammals and birds that lived alongside early humans 20,000 years ago with 20 animatronic animals at Brookfield Zoo. Families can see a woolly mammoth, mastodon, giant ground sloth, giant rodent, saber toothed cat, and more. Little paleontologists can also dig for fossils in a 64-foot dig pit. READ MORE

Once Upon a Symphony: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

April 23 and May 7⁠—Downtown
Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a classic story of how young Goldilocks stumbles upon a quaint cottage and goes inside to explore. She has no idea it belongs to three bears who are on their way home! With this classic story as a guide, young audiences are invited to experience the wide and wonderful world of the forest through Goldilocks’ eyes and playfully explore some of the responsibilities that come along with growing older.  READ MORE

Carmela Full of Wishes

April 23-May 22⁠—West Loop
This Chicago Children's Theatre production is based on Matt La Pena's book of the same name about a girl accompanying her brother on family errands on her birthday. She finds a dandelion and must decide what her wish will be before blowing the seeds into the field. Live Carmela's touching and funny fantasies as she tried to think of just the right wish. READ MORE

Art on the Mart

April 9- June 29⁠—Downtown
Families can watch as works of art are projected on The Merchandise Mart, while listening to a variety of unique music. The show is about 30 minutes long and repeats at 7:30 and 8pm each night. READ MORE

The Other Art Fair Chicago

April 22-24⁠—Fulton Market
The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art, gives you the opportunity to meet a curated selection of over 110 independent artists and browse thousands of pieces to suit every budget under one roof. With prices starting from as little as $100, this is an art fair for everyone. Whether you’re a first-time art buyer, seasoned collector, curator, investor, gallery owner, art lover or anything in between, you are guaranteed to find something to add to (or start!) your collection.   READ MORE

Soap Box Derby 2025 Spring Rally

April 30-May 1⁠—Naperville
Build your own car or test run a pre-built car at the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby's track. READ MORE

Polish Constitution Day Parade

May 7⁠—Downtown
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 2025 is "1000 years of the Polish Kingdom."   READ MORE

Chicago River Day

May 14⁠—Various Locations along the Chicago River
Volunteer to help the Friends of the Chicago River create a litter-free environment. Dozens of sites throughout Cook County invite families to come pick up trash, paddle up and down the river, and be inspired by the animals, plants, and people around the river. READ MORE

Wow in the World Pop Up Party

April 3⁠—Downtown
Join popular kids podcast hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas as they explore the newest in science, technology, and innovation along with music and skits from The Pop Ups. Some kids may even get the chance to go up on stage as lab assistants and game show contestants. READ MORE

Lilac Time

April 29-May 15⁠—Lombard
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

DinoWorks at Wonder Works

March 31- April 1⁠—Oak Park
Celebrate dinosaurs during spring break at Wonder Works Children's Museum. Little paleontologists can enjoy giant footprints, dinosaur bone blocks, dressing up as a dinosaur, starting a fossil collection, and making a dinosaur nest in the art room. New this year are a few items on loan from the Field Museum including a life size T-rex skull and paleontologist dig kits. READ MORE

Of the Earth

Daily through 2022⁠—Lisle
Five large-scale sculptures by Polish American artist Olga Ziemska have been created exclusively for an exhibition, Of the Earth, at The Morton Arboretum. The artist’s work was created from reclaimed and pruned tree branches and other natural materials gathered from various locations throughout the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. READ MORE

The Art of the Brick

Daily through September⁠—Museum Campus
More than a million LEGO bricks are pieced together by artist Nathan Sawaya at this featured exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit includes Sawaya's own unique sculptures as well as re-creations of Michelangelo’s David, Van Gogh’s "Starry Night" and Da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." Other highlights include a 20-foot LEGO T-Rex skeleton and a multimedia LEGO presentation produced with photographer Dean West. READ MORE

Sweets 'n Treats Fair

April 30⁠—Wheaton
This first annual fair at Cantigny Park features many local vendors selling candy, pastries, and other treats. Kids can pick out something for themselves or select a gift for Mother's Day. READ MORE

Go Fly a Kite at Graf Park

May 7⁠—Wheaton
Wheaton Park District invites families to Graf Park for its annual kite fly. Free kites will be available for the first 100 families. Kite performers will show off their tricks near Monroe Middle School, and there will be contests for most unique kite and highest flying kite. READ MORE

Spring Renegade Craft Fair Andersonville

May 21-22⁠—Andersonville
Arts and crafts fans can enjoy Renegade's new spring event featuring incredible makers and designers from all over the US, as well as live entertainment, local DJs, workshops, art installations, food trucks, nonprofits, cocktails, craft beers, and more. READ MORE

Mayfest Lincoln Park

May 20-22⁠—Lincoln Park
End spring and kick off summer with live music and festival foods in Lincoln Park. Families can check out live music from family friendly entertainers early in the day. READ MORE

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

May 28-29⁠—Lakeview
Families can kick off summer with music, food, and drinks at this annual Lakeview street festival. READ MORE

Chicago Memorial Day Parade

May 27⁠—Downtown
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

Mole de Mayo

May 27-29⁠—Pilsen
Celebrate the Pilsen neighborhood with the country's only outdoor mole cook off. Families can choose their favorite mole while enjoying music, dancing, and the excitement of luche libre wrestling. READ MORE
Enjoy some spring weather at the zoo. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
Enjoy some spring weather at the zoo. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Things To Do All Spring in Chicago

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It may be called The Second City, but Chicago is second to none when it comes to urban vacation destinations for families. It's easy to get around using public transportation and taxis, and there are lots of kid-friendly activities in Chicago with the Loop, giving families the chance to visit multiple tourist attractions in Chicago in one day. For example, you can check out Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Art Institute without ever getting in a cab or train. Or, visit the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium all on foot.  There are also plenty of... READ MORE

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

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Best Kid-Friendly Easter Brunches in Chicago

Discover top restaurants with kid-friendly activities and menus for a memorable Easter celebration. READ MORE

Best Things To See and Do at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

Check out our favorite things to do at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo! READ MORE

25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Chicago: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days

These great destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm! READ MORE

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City. READ MORE

Favorite Things To Do with Kids in Roscoe Village and North Center

Our favorite things to do with kids in two of Chicago's unique neighborhoods. READ MORE

The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids

Get up close and personal with animals from around the world. READ MORE

Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop

Rediscover or explore the West Loop for the first time with these kid-friendly recommendations. READ MORE

50 Awesome Things To Do Indoors in Chicago with Kids

Here are places to play, learn, create, and climb with Chicago kids on cold or rainy days. READ MORE

Best Restaurants on the River: Chicago River Dining for Families

Interested in dining on the Chicago riverfront with kids? Try on of these favorites. READ MORE

The Best Winter Day Trips from Chicago for Families

Looking to get out of the city when it's chilly? READ MORE

21 of the Best Summer Day Trips From Chicago

Ready for a little exploring? Day trip to a park, beach, or zoo! READ MORE

25 Things To Do on Mother’s Day in Chicago

From brunch to fine art to well-deserved pampering. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Chicago Parks
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Wonder Works, a Children's Museum
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago