It’s finally warming up and the kids will be getting spring fever soon! Time to start that spring cleaning and shaking off the cabin fever of the winter.
Here are a few fun spring activities you can do with your family:
Go see Giggle, Giggle, Quack
When Farmer Brown leaves on vacation and puts Bob, his accountant city-slicker brother, in charge of the farm, hijinks ensue. Especially friendly for those with special needs, there is an audio description and touch tour on April 1; open captioning on April 8; and a autism/sensory-friendly performance on April 15, but be advised there are no shows on April 16.
Lifeline Theater
www.lifelinetheatre.com
Saturdays and Sundays from March 18, 2017 – April 23, 2017 at 11a and 1p
$15
Take a trip out to The Bean!
You know it’s getting to be springtime when it’s nice enough to venture outside for fun again. Mark the occasion by a trip to Chicago’s unique landmark for a spring photo shoot with the kids!
Have a picnic and watch a sunset fire on the Prairie
For an unconventional evening, come out for a picnic on April 1 and learn about the importance of fire when for managing natural areas. At sunset, from a safe distance away of course, you and the kids can have fun watching the trained staff burn the prairie. You can bring your own picnic or purchase picnic fare there.
Schaumburg Park District
www.parkfun.com
April 1, 2017 from 6-8:30p
$3, $12 family, free kids 3 and under
Get busted
Ever wanted to see your bust sitting on a pedestal like the great rulers, artists, or philosophers? Bring the little ones to build a bust of yourself out of cardboard and plaster, inspired by the Smart Museum’s special exhibition Classicisms busts made out of plaster and marble that are available to view.
University of Chicago
smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
April 1, 2017 from 1-4p
Free
Find your way
Go back to the “olden days” before GPS and smartphones, and partake in several activities to learn cartography and orienteering basics, such as using a compass, then put your knowledge to the test with your kiddos out on the trails.
There are several sessions to choose from:
April 1 at Deer Grove Forest Preserve, 1650 N Quentin Rd, Palatine
April 8 at Bemis Woods South, 1100 Ogden Ave, Western Springs
April 15 at Wolf Road Woods, 9800 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs
Thatcher Woods Pavilion
www.fpdcc.com
April 1, 2017 – April 15, 2017 from 9a-noon
Free
Build some fun into your spring
The Lego Store in Water Tower Place has kits, giant buildings like the Willis Tower and huge completed figures, individual Legos, and a play area with a giant pile of Legos to play with. Go check it out for a fun spring afternoon!
Plant your pizza
Show your kids that even pizza can be healthy when it’s made at home! There are plenty of ingredients that can be taken from the garden, including tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables for the toppings. Bring your little ones to learn about how these plants grow and how they can be used in pizza – they’ll even get to plant their own herb garden to take with them!
Chicago Botanic Garden
www.chicagobotanic.org
March 25, 2017 – April 2, 2017 from 9:30-11a; on March 25 and April 2 from 1-2:30p
$24
Happy Spring!
