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25 Free Things to Do with Kids this April Near Chicago

Science Fun Fairs at Navy Pier is a free event in Chicago sponsored by the American Chemical Society. Photo courtesy of the event
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4/1/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

It seems like everything is more expensive these days, but having fun with your kids doesn't have to cost a lot! We've rounded up a great list of free things to do in Chicago with your little ones in April 2022. The forest preserves are a great place to start, especially in April. Kids can explore the forests for spring break, clean up the preserves for Earth Day or learn about trees for Arbor Day. Kids with a sweet tooth might enjoy the variety of treat-friendly free options like a sundae building workshop on Navy Pier, the opening of a new candy store on the Mag Mile, or a Sweets and Treats Fair at Cantigny. Or, take part in some spring sports with 'Go Runs or Roscoe Village Kidical Mass. 

Most of the Easter Egg hunts in Chicago are free throughout the month of April. Many museums are also finally fully reopened and offering free days at off-peak times. Looking for something less crowded? Hiking is almost always free, and we have lots of options for that as well.

Here are 25 free things you can do with your kids in April near Chicago.

'Go Run, a city-wide event in partnership with the Chicago Park District, photo courtesy of Chicago Area Runners
'Go Run, a city-wide event in partnership with the Chicago Park District, photo courtesy of Chicago Area Runners

Free Things to Do In Chicago in April

Chef Art Smith Bread Baking Demo

Downtown—Friday, April 1
Bakers of all ages can join Art Smith, former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, as he bakes his daily bread. Chef Smith will give lots of tips on how to make the perfect loaf. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Sweet Gnome Chicago

Lincoln Park—Daily throughout April
From the end of February to Mother's Day, see this flower show that combines flowers and fun to celebrate all that is Spring! Nearly 300 gnomes of many sizes and materials will hang out in all the display houses, with a particular focus on the Show House. There, vignettes of the whimsical creatures are set amongst vibrant and gorgeous spring flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs. READ MORE

'Go Run

Various Parks Citywide—Saturdays throughout April
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

Spring Early Birds at North Park Village Nature Center

North Park—Saturdays throughout April
Bird watchers can arrive at North Park Village Nature Center one hour early every Saturday in April and May to explore the current spring bird migration. Join other bird watchers for a morning hike. READ MORE

Sun's Out Buns Out Bunny Adoption Event

Wheaton—Saturday, April 2
Is your family ready to adopt a bunny, or just ready to learn more about what it might take to have a pet rabbit? DuPage County Animal Services is hosting a bunny adoption event to learn about bunny handling and bunny care, and to view available animals. READ MORE

Pond Dipping at Bode Lake

Hoffman Estates—Sunday, April 3
Dip a net in the pond to discover microinvertebrates living in the water. These tiny organisms can help us learn more about aquatic habitats. READ MORE

Roscoe Village Kidical Mass

Roscoe Village—Sunday, April 3
Join Chicago Family Biking for an easy-going, fun ride around the Roscoe Village neighborhood. Kids can decorate their bikes and take a 3-4 mile ride with their parents around the area. The ride is about 5-6 miles per hour and is designed for kids without training wheels or on their parents bike trailers. READ MORE

Notes for Peace

Downtown—Sunday, April 3
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

Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art Free Days

Oak Brook—Wednesdays throughout April
Visitors to the Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art can learn more about the history and art of cutting and polishing stone. They can also try their hand at special lapidary projects during special events at the museum. READ MORE

Sundae Fun Day Workshop

Downtown—Monday, April 4 and Monday, April 11
Learn how to make the perfect sundae any day of the week with Chef Ricky from Tiny Tap. Each kid can build his or her own ice cream sundae. READ MORE

IT'SUGAR Candy Department Store Grand Opening

Mag Mile—Thursday, April 7
IT'SUGAR is opening a new 11,400 "candy department store" on the Magnificent Mile, and invites families to join in the sweet fun. The opening will include over-the-top displays and larger-than life branded characters with whom families can take pictures.   READ MORE

Art on the Mart Spring Program Launch

Downtown—Saturday, April 9
Be the first to see the new installation of Art on the Mart. The new program will feature two climate change-themed projections: ‘Floe’ by Carrie Hanson, featuring contemporary dance company The Seldoms, and ‘Choral’ by Marlena Novak and Jay Yim. READ MORE

The Amazingly Outrageous Family Fun Party

Downtown—Sunday, April 10
Spotz City presents a fun family party with a Kidchella concert, giant games, house music, and shopping for kids of all ages. Make sure to take a selfie in the social media corner! READ MORE

Science Fun Fairs at Navy Pier

Downtown—Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13
The American Chemical Society hosts science fair style booths for little scientists at Navy Pier. Participants can learn about the experiments and take home kits to recreate them at home. READ MORE

Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: What's in a Name?

Garfield Park—Daily throughout April
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its spring flower show "What's in a name." The show explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature alongside a beautiful flower show full of blooms.  Plant names are an important way of communicating history, culture, and identity. In addition, because there are many plants with the same common name, or many common names for the same plant, knowing the botanical name helps people know exactly which plant is which READ MORE

Spring Breakout Adventure

Forest Preserves throughout Cook County—April 1 and April 12-14
Kids can get out of their house and try something new at Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center. The event will include crafts, nature exploration, and scavenger hunts. READ MORE

Bunny Hop at Wintrust Bank Roscoe Village

Lakeview—Saturday, April 16
Hop to local businesses along Belmont Avenue to pick up Easter eggs, play games, and enjoy giveaways. Photos with the Easter bunny are free when you sign up on the event's website.   READ MORE

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Earth Day Cleanup

Forest Preserves throughout Cook County—April 22-23
Do your part to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up litter in Cook County Forest Preserves. Each preserve will have pick up supplies available for families. Some preserves will have activities for families. READ MORE

Astronomy Day

Palatine—Saturday, April 23
Introduce your kids (and yourself) to the exciting wonders of stargazing and the upcoming lunar eclipse! Look through and learn about different telescopes, attend lectures on new discoveries in our galaxy, complete fun crafts, listen to NASA Mission updates, and more! This FREE event is designed for both young astronomers and seasoned amateurs. We even have presentations to help Scouts earn their Astronomer Activity Badges. Come out and meet some new friends from the Northwest Suburban Astronomers Club. Hosted by Harper College Department of Physical Sciences & NSA. ... READ MORE

Harold Washington 100th Birthday Party

Hyde Park—Saturday, April 16
Honor Chicago's first African-American mayor Harold Washington on his 100th birthday at the park named in his honor. Activities include music and reflections from Chicago community residents. READ MORE

Lilac Time

Lombard—April 29-30
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

Sweets 'n Treats Fair

Wheaton—Saturday, April 30
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

Wilder Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show

Elmhurst—April 9-24
Enjoy some spring colors at the Wilder Park Conservatory during its spring flower show. READ MORE

Arbor Day Celebration at Bunker Hill

Niles—Friday, April 29
Celebrate tree at Bunker Hill Forest Preserve. Kids can join a tree ID hike, go on a scavenger hunt, and more. READ MORE

Lake View Nature Center Open House

Oak Brook Saturday, April 30
Families can visit cool critters and take part in nature-based activities at Oakbrook Terrace's Lake View Nature Center. All ages are welcome at this monthly event. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory
Photo courtesy of Garfield Park Conservatory

Other Ideas for Free Activities

40 Easter Egg Hunts in Chicago for Little Bunnies

Find an egg hunt in every neighborhhood and suburb. READ MORE

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

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

Places featured in this article:

Various Chicago Parks
DuPage County Animal Services
Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art
Wintrust Bank Roscoe Village
Cook County Forest Preserves