The Chicago Family

04/14/2026

🗓️ This Week in Chicago: 4/14-4/19

**see pinned Spring Break Guide post for more ideas**

*4/14 TUESDAY*
Jackson Park cherry blossoms (behind ) have a few days left! See previous post for more info.

10a-12p Jumperoo—new hours for 5 and under (through June 3); $18/child, adults are free

*4/15 WEDNESDAY*
IL Resident Day, reserve tickets online

430-7p Diorama Making, free with reservation

*4/16 THURSDAY*
baby and toddler music classes, also available on Saturdays

8-5 open play, Humboldt Park, $10/0-3, $15/3+

*4/17 FRIDAY*
art free trial class day, register on website, ages 2-5

530-8p parents’ night out/kids’ pajama party, ages 4-12; open play, pizza, activities and games

*4/18 SATURDAY
10a-1p kids’ workshop: terrarium, free but register online to claim your spot

Earth Day events at various

1230-230p & 5-7p open skate

*4/19 SUNDAY*
930-4 IL Resident Free Day, reserve a time slot online

car seat trade-in through 5/2. Receive a 20% off coupon (that can be used twice) and redeem for strollers, car seat, select baby gear

1230p & 130p .fitness K Pop Demon Hunters dance class

📍 in Nashville

04/14/2026

We are already looking forward to this show in November!

Join the Presale

04/14/2026

🌸 Jackson Park Cherry Blossoms

~Pictures from April 13, 2026~

We made it just in time to see the cherry blossoms behind . There are still photo opportunities, but there are a lot of petals on the ground and the trees are not as full as I’ve seen in the past-—you might have to get creative with the angles! If you hope to see them, I’d recommend visiting in the next couple of days. Check or for the latest updates!

We found a free parking spot on 56th and Everett, in front of the museum, about a 10 minute walk from the trees. I wanted to park there, so we could stop by the Dickerson and Chrysalis playgrounds afterward (see the last photos in the post!).

Of course, combining and the cherry blossoms is always an option, too—parking under the Musuem is $22.

Some visitors also pulled up on S Cornell with their flashers on. There is a parking lot at 1800 Columbia Drive that costs $4-$9.

I recommend bringing a tripod and even a blanket and some snacks. Dogs are also welcome! Happy spring!

04/10/2026

☀️ Top 10 Favorite Things About Siesta Key, FL

For a break from Chicago winters each year, we head down to Siesta Key, Florida, a small beach town on the Gulf. We love the tradition of this getaway and here are our top reasons why! See the “FL 🍊” highlight button on my page for more.

🏖️ Siesta Key Beach
Of course! A gorgeous white sand beach with a large, free parking lot. Don’t miss the Sunday night drum circle.

🛝 Beach Playground
Sandcastle-themed playground on the edge of the beach and next to a large snack shack

🥣 Clam Chowder
They have won awards for some of the best clam chowder and we agree! (coming from two people who lived in Boston for a couple of years). Good spot for live music, too.

🚃 Free Trolley
Ride the trolley from the village all the way down Midnight Pass (to Captain Curt’s or wherever you’re staying!)

🦪
go for the oysters, but also the seafood, drinks, and live music. Great spot right in the Village.

🏘️ Walk Canal Street
love a morning walk to grab a coffee through the brightly colored houses

🌅 Beach Sunsets
Do not miss! My favorite place to watch a sunset. Grab a drink from the beforehand

🍩 Meaney’s Mini-donuts
Little shack in the village with coffee and amazing doughnut skewers (we love the French toast ones, but you can’t go wrong)

🍦 Fudge Factory Treats & Mural
We take an annual photo at the Siesta Key painting. And we love their ice cream, but they have so many delicious treats to chose from!

🧱 Siesta Key Village Plaza
We always visit the and shops; also love smoothies and bialeys (definitely don’t call them bagels) at and wine tastings at . There’s also a , Italian, and other cute shops

Honorable Mentions: rent a to explore, visit St. Armand’s for shopping/restaurants, and

04/07/2026

🗓️ This Week in Chicago: 4/7-4/12

**see pinned Spring Break Guide post for more ideas**

*4/7 TUESDAY*
free admission through Friday; register on website. Parking fee applies

Toddler Time 9-11a, Mon-Fri Ages 2 to 6: $17.95 Adults: $12.00

*4/8 WEDNESDAY*
IL Resident Day, reserve tickets online

930a & 1030a at

*4/9 THURSDAY*
Jackson Park Cherry blossoms behind blooming! Visit for updates

8-5 open play, Humboldt Park, $10/0-3, $15/3+

*4/10 FRIDAY*
x Little Cooking Club with spring treats, sensory bins, stories

10-1230 Morning Glories: nature based play; ages 0-3; free with admission/suggested donation

art free trial class day

*4/11 SATURDAY
Broadway in Bloom with live Broadway inspired performances, crafts, activities, games plus cookie decorating and face painting; $70-150 family admission options

10-1130a Cook the Book class: Too Many Carrots; read the story & make carrot cake muffins

Family Day, free

120p Cubs v Pittsburgh

*4/12 SUNDAY*
1230-230p & 5-7p open skate

120p vs Pittsburgh

📍 Commercial Club

04/06/2026

There’s a Ben & Jerry’s in Navy Pier!

Find your nearest shop!

04/03/2026

🎈 Balloon Museum

One of our current favorite exhibits, has been extended through at least September 7!

We visited the Balloon Museum over Christmas break and loved it, even with how busy it was. We spent about an hour and a half exploring—there were never-ending rooms of unique fun and something for all ages to enjoy. It’s a spot that I hope to visit again while it’s here.

The experience is located in Logan Square and I recommend using for discount pricing. We paid $90 for the 1 Adult + 2 Kids deal (3 and under are free!). Strollers are allowed throughout the exhibits.

📍 Logan Square: The Fields Studios – Gate 1 – 2828 N. Pulaski
📆 open through Sept. 7, 2026
⏰ M-T 1-7p, F 12-9p, Sat 10a-9p, Sun 10a-8p
🎟️ $40 for IL resident and ages 13-17; $34 for 4-12; family packs offered
💲 use for discounts!
🅿️ $15 or free street parking with a 5 minute walk to the entrance

04/01/2026

🐰 April Events 🐣

*includes Easter events & museum free days

The list is light on events right now, but I’ll add more as I see them. All events will also be in the weekly events list!

Through 4/5 Easter Egg painting & shakes
4/4 Easter Celebration, free
4/4 free kids’ workshop: farm planter
4/4 Spring Egg—Stravaganza; egg hunts, bunny photos, music, lawn games; $27pp
4/4 Egg Hunt West Town; $15
4/4 Easter Bunny photos and activities, free
4/4 Easter Party with Bunny photos, giveaways, Easter Activities, free
4/4 Easter Celebration; $10 suggested donation
4/4 Egg Hunt, Easter activities, treats; free
4/4 with bunny photos, balloon animals, singalongs
4/10 & 4/24 x make spring-themed snack making, storytime, & sensory bin, 930-1030a
4/11 Broadway in Bloom
4/11 @ Cook the Book: Too Many Carrots; Kids Class: Pink Lemonade Cake
4/17 Pajama Jam / Parents’ Night Out
4/18 kids’ workshop: terrarium

IL Resident Free Days
Every Wed
4/19
Tuesday nights 5-9p
4/6-10
4/1, 4/22, 4/30
Family Free Day 4/11
Wednesdays 4-10pm
every day 
none scheduled

03/31/2026

🗓️ This Week in Chicago: 3/31-4/5

**see pinned Spring Break Guide post for more ideas**

*3/31 TUESDAY*
Toddler Time 9-11a, Mon-Fri Ages 2 to 6: $17.95 Adults: $12.00

930a & 1030a kids’ music classes at , offered weekly or drop-in Tues-Thurs

1030a Broadway & Me Class at Drucker Center, Lincoln Park

*4/1 WEDNESDAY*
IL Resident Day, reserve tickets online

930a & 1030a at

*4/2 THURSDAY*
10a-12p Jumperoo—new hours for 5 and under (through June 3); $18/child, adults are free

1115-1145a Little Book Club at “Comedy Club”books, $10/family

almost-free day! $10/family (weekly)

drop-in mini Monet classes and story art all week

*4/3 FRIDAY*
wooden Easter egg painting and themed shakes through 4/5
chicago Paw Patrol experience; one hour experience in Adventure Bay, times available all week

930-1015a mini open art; Wed-Fri ages 2-5

*4/4 SATURDAY
9a-noon kids’ workshop: globe plan, sign up online, free

11-12 Spring Egg—Stravaganza; egg hunts, bunny photos, music, lawn games; $27pp

10, 11, 12 Egg Hunt West Town; $15

Easter Bunny photos and activities, free

Easter Party with Bunny photos, giveaways, Easter Activities, free

10-12p Easter Celebration; $10 suggested donation

10-12 Egg Hunt, Easter activities, treats; free

12-2p with bunny photos, balloon animals, singalongs

*4/5 SUNDAY*
Happy Easter!

Egg Hunt & Bunny
Easter Bunny & Brunch
Easter Bunny & Brunch
1230p & 5p Open Skate

📍

03/23/2026

🗓️ This Week in Chicago: 3/23-3/29

**see pinned Spring Break Guide post for more ideas**

*3/23 MONDAY*
930-1130a & 250-450 open skate; $12 admission and $5 skates; Mon-Fri

1130a-12pm Little Book Club at , $10/family

, times available all week

5p Movie Night: Mufasa, free

*3/24 TUESDAY*
10a-9a open play, Mon-Fri

12-6p Spring Break events and activities, free throughout the pier

St. Patrick’s Day tea, through 3/29

*3/25 WEDNESDAY*
IL Resident Day, reserve tickets online

930a & 1030a at

11-2 spring break drop-in programming, free but reserve your spot online, Wed-Sun

*3/26 THURSDAY*
1115-1145a Little Book Club at “Comedy Club”books, $10/family

120p home opener, vs Washington Nationals
chicago Paw Patrol experience; one hour experience in Adventure Bay, times available all week

almost-free day! $10/family (weekly)

*3/27 FRIDAY*
bunny photos, $35 includes digital photo, open play at , 20% off at

Easter experience: paint wooden eggs, themed shakes

Family Night; $75 for 2 kids 2 kids for 90 minutes (additional tickets can be purchased), one pizza, socks for all

*3/28 SATURDAY
11-2 Easter Bunny meet & greet, free

120p game, vs Nationals

, open all week; check for discount tix

*3/29 SUNDAY*
1-3p Bunny Wood Frame Craft; buy frame, supplies included

4pm Egg Hunt, free

11-2 kids golf free, Wicker Park & Lakeview locations

📍 monthly workshop

03/22/2026

Happy Spring Break!

Limited-time weekday offer. Valid only at Altitude West Town Location. March 21-29

03/21/2026

🏙️ Spring Break in Chicago

Here are some of our favorite activities in each Chicago neighborhood. I’ve tagged most locations in the post or below, but let me know if you need help finding information. Feel free to comment below with what I’ve missed and let me know if you have questions. Enjoy the break!


.daley.park .chicago