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Lincoln Park Spooktacular! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
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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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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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Weekend Fun for Chicago Kids: Free Museums, Dinosaurs, Spring Colors, Easter Bunny

Free Field Day at the Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Field Day at the Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
4/3/19 - By Siobhan Adcock

This weekend is FREE at the The Field Museum, one of every Chicago kid's favorite places. As a special treat for the dinosaur-obsessed, the museum's new, FREE pop-up Dig Experience in downtown Chicago lets kids see how scientists uncover prehistoric treasures, and for those kids who literally eat, breathe, and sleep dinosaurs, the Field also hosts dino-themed slumber party Dozin' With the Dinos on Saturday. 

There's lots of FREE spring color and fun to be had at the final weekend for Macy's Flower Show, the interactive Chagall for Children exhibit in Arlington Heights (also closing after this weekend), and Naperville's Holi Celebration. For music-lovers, Family Day at the Lyric Opera and the family reggae dance party Three Little Birds offer a little something for everyone.

And of course, the bunny of the hour continues to hold court at the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue, Orland Square Mall, and Stratford Square Mall, among others, plus a special sensory-friendly visit with the Easter Bunny at Yorktown in Lombard this Sunday.

For even more spring family fun, our roundups of 40 Fun Things to Do Over Spring Break (it's coming...) and Kid-Friendly Chicago Spring Fairs and Festivals should come in handy, and keep checking our ever-updated event calendar.


 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Anastasia, the Musical
Anastasia, the Musical

All Weekend

Anastasia

Chicago Loop (final weekend)
Broadway in Chicago hosts the musical, Anastasia, at the beautiful Nederlander Theatre! READ MORE

Free Days at the Field Museum

Museum Campus — FREE
Illinois residents enjoy free general admission to Chicago's world-class Field Museum on Wednesdays throughout 2024. READ MORE

Field Museum Pop-Up Dig Site

Chicago Loop — FREE
The Field Museum hosts a pop-up site for dinosaur lovers in downtown Chicago, including a replica dig site that includes casts of real dinosaur bones and the tools Field Museum scientists use when they are in the field.  READ MORE

Chagall For Children

Arlington Heights — FREE (final weekend)
Get hands-on with the work of artist Marc Chagall. Create mosaics, flower arrangements, and tapestries, use touch screens to digitally alter the artwork, conduct symphonies, and even insert yourself into the works. The exhibit features 14 reproductions of Chagall's works. See website for more learning resources. READ MORE

CANCELED - Macy's Flower Show

Chicago Loop — FREE (final weekend)
Macy's hosts its annual flower show, a 2-week long show featuring different activities every day, including hands-on activities, story times, and characters to entertain the kids, and DIY and pampering activities for grown-ups! READ MORE

The LEGO Movie Days at LEGOLAND Chicago

Schaumburg (final weekend)
At the ultimate celebration of The LEGO Movie 2, join Emmet, Wyldstyle, and with exclusive building activities, character experiences, interactive photo opportunities, giveaways, and more. READ MORE

Meet the Easter Bunny at Stratford Square Mall

Bloomingdale — FREE
Kids can meet the Easter bunny and have their picture taken for the last two weeks leading up to Easter at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. The bunny will be on duty during regular mall hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. READ MORE

Hop to It! Easter Bunny Photo Time at Orland Square Mall

Orland Square
Kids can hop over to Orland Square Mall for a photo with the Easter Bunny from March 18 through April 16. The bunny will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Parents can reserve a spot online by visiting the Orland Square Mall website. READ MORE

Yorktown Center Photos with the Easter Bunny

Lombard — FREE
Hippity hoppity Easter's on it's way with photos with the Easter bunny at Yorktown Center. The bunny will be on hand for photos during normal shopping hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday) from March 15 through April 20. READ MORE

Photos With The Bunny at 900 N Michigan

Streeterville — FREE
Make your reservation to see the Easter Bunny in his return to the 900 shops at 900 N. Michigan Avenue. Bunny meetings include keepsake pictures, a visit to a Bubbles Academy art class, and free parking at the shops for three hours. READ MORE
Family Day at the Lyric. Photo courtesy of the theater
Family Day at the Lyric. Photo courtesy of the theater

Saturday, April 6

CANCELED - Family Day at Lyric

Chicago Loop
Lyric Opera hosts its annual Family Day, a fun-filled day of behind-the-scenes exploration of the Lyric Opera House! READ MORE

Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk

Naperville — FREE
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

Three Little Birds: A Kids' Reggae Party

Hyde Park
The Promontory hosts Three Little Birds and a reggae concert and dance party for the whole family! READ MORE

Dozin' With the Dinos

Museum Campus
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

Ballet and Books

Niles — FREE
Listen to dance stories and practice your dance moves. Feel free to bring your tutu and dance shoes. READ MORE

Secret of the Mummies

Hyde Park — FREE
The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago hosts the Secret of Mummies, an interactive event where guests can help prepare a simulated mummy for the afterlife, meet real mummies, and discover tomb treasures. In addition, children’s book author Malayna Evans will read selections from her middle-grade time travel book, Jagger Jones and the Mummies Ankh! READ MORE

Story Time with Theatre Y

Lincoln Square
Hear your favorite children's books read aloud by actors from Theatre Y in a lively performance incorporating books, music, and improvisation. Story time is followed by food, drink, and conversation with the audience. READ MORE
The Greatest Story Never Told. Photo courtesy of the theater
The Greatest Story Never Told. Photo courtesy of the theater

Sunday, April 7

CANCELED - Free First Sundays at the Chicago Children's Museum

Navy Pier — FREE
The Chicago Children's Museum is free for kids 15 and under the first Sunday of each month. READ MORE

Coca-Cola Family Sundays at Chicago White Sox

Armour Square
The Chicago White Sox hosts Coca-Cola Family Sundays during 12 Sunday home games in 2019, featuring tickets starting at $5 in the upper level and $15 in the lower level, as well as family-focused activities throughout the concourse and the opportunity to run bases after games. READ MORE

Bunny Cares at Yorktown Center

Lombard — FREE
People within every spectrum of special needs are welcome to reserve tickets to see the Easter Bunny at this designated time for a private photo session. Families and groups must reserve a spot on the event website. READ MORE

CANCELED - Secret Agent Story Time

Wicker Park — FREE
Wicker Park's Secret Agent Supply Company hosts a special story time for the "littlest agents" the first Sunday of each Month, with singing, dancing, and crafts. READ MORE

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