Don’t Let Spring Break Break You: Keep the Family Busy with 50+ Things To Do in Champaign-Urbana
Spring break in Champaign-Urbana is right around the corner and you’re already thinking: what are we going to DO?
Well, we have some info to help you put the pieces together. We’ve got 50+ ideas for things to do over spring break around Champaign-Urbana for your family.
For most school districts, spring break in 2024 is the week of March 11-15, with many schools adding a day or two off in the weeks prior or following. (If you need childcare during this time, check out our list of Spring Break Camps.)
Here are our ideas to help you navigate spring break this year. We are including a variety of activities, so that whatever you are comfortable doing, you have some options. Of course, always check our events calendar to see what’s happening as well, as it gets updated daily.
(This list is intended to help you discover some options when it comes to the week of spring break in Champaign-Urbana. The status of these businesses/events can change at any time, so check with the business before venturing out to be sure it is open and if reservations are needed.)
Visit a Champaign-Urbana area museum or nature center
Head over to Museum of the Grand Prairie at Lake of the Woods. Step back in time with a variety of exhibits and activities. FREE.
Visit the Anita Purves Nature Center. FREE. Go play on the playscape outside the nature center afterwards, or stroll through Busey Woods.
On the University of Illinois Campus, the Spurlock Museum takes you around the world with artifacts from every corner of the globe (closed Monday all day and Tuesday morning, but otherwise open). Krannert Art Museum is open, too. It has everything from masters to modern. Both are FREE.
Pack a picnic on a nice day and drive out to Homer Lake, playing on the playscape and making the Interpretive Center part of your visit.
Venture a little further for museums like the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal or the Children’s Museum of Illinois in Decatur.
Be active – the kids, the family, whoever needs it!
We have a whole list of ways to be active together with your family. Need to get started? Spring break is a great time to start new habits. The weather is improving and there’s lots to try.
The Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center is open March 11-15 and has many public swim options from 1:30-5 p.m. during spring break week.
Head to the bowling alley! Bowling is open at Old Orchard Lanes, as well as dining (pizza for the win). Arrowhead Lanes has indoor putt-putt golf, too.
Head out to the golf course or the driving range. Taking on nine holes at Lake of the Woods (or visiting after 2 p.m.) are two inexpensive ways to get out to the green together, as long as the spring weather cooperates, that is!
If you’re not already a member, snag guest passes for the Stephens Family YMCA. You can enjoy family swim time or family gym time. We also have the Martens Center in Champaign with all kinds of great options at a very affordable day pass price.
Skating at Skateland and jumping at Elevate are options as well. Want to venture further? Drive to Iron Coyote in Bloomington-Normal.
Get outside and explore
Go out to a new park or a park you haven’t been to lately — we have a whole list of favorite parks and playgrounds you can try. The Hessel Park playground is always a great place to start. You could also try out Morrissey Park or Noel Park, which are some of the more recently renovated playgrounds.
Make a day of it in Monticello: head out to Allerton Park and check out Nick’s Park playground.
Go to the library
So kids might want to take a break from learning, but libraries make learning FUN. Go check out some books at the library over spring break. You can get some books, movies and maybe even some fun other things, like games or puzzles, depending on the library. Try the Champaign Public Library, Urbana Free Library or Mahomet Public Library.
Try some of our favorite foods
If you’ve noticed, we have quite a few favorite foods around Champaign-Urbana. A round-up of all the Champaign-Urbana Food Favorites is available for quick reference. The pizza trail, barbecue trail, ice cream trail are just a few of note.
“Travel” to outer space
With the solar eclipse coming soon, we have lots of excitement around space these days. Check out some of the unique space activities we have in Central Illinois.
Get crafty
Go to the I.D.E.A. Store and find some unique crafting supplies and ideas for an eco-friendly craft — on the cheap!
Go to campus
Spring is a great time to visit the University of Illinois campus, whether just for a new place for a scenic walk, to shop, or to enjoy some of the unique dining opportunities. Go bowling, play billiards and arcade games at the Rec Room inside the Illini Union. University of Illinois students are on spring break during this same week, so hours on campus and in Campustown may be different than usual. (For example, the University of Illinois Ice Arena is closed during 2024’s spring break, but you can sneak in a lunch skate on March 7-8.)
Trek to the zoo
We have lots of zoos within a short drive (let’s say three hours or less) that we think your family will love — Miller Park Zoo and Peoria Zoo being the closer options and Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo and Saint Louis Zoo being some others. (Scovill Zoo in Decatur won’t open for the season until April.)
Get ready for Easter and Passover
No FOOLING, these holidays are around the corner! Passover starts the night of April 22, and Easter is March 31. Don’t let those holidays sneak up on you; get your Easter baskets ready (non-candy options here), prep for those egg hunts, and much more.
Go out to eat on a budget
A few restaurants in town offer specials for kids on certain nights of the week. Check out our list of places where kids eat free (or cheaply). A bonus: Restaurants in C-U tend to be slightly less crowded on spring break, given the U of I students are gone and some C-U residents are on vacation.
Take a day trip
We LOVE day trips, and have a whole list for you. See the big things in Casey, where the attractions are mainly outside. Go to Peoria and see Peoria Riverfront Museum. Make a date to head out to the museums and Lincoln sites in Springfield. There might be some free museum days in Chicago.
Find an event
We have so many events happening over spring break on our event calendar! Here are just a few we are highlighting. Please be sure to review registration for any event you plan to attend as many have limited spots.
Thursday, March 7, 2024
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
03/07/2024
9:30 am - 8:30 pm |
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL |
Friday, March 8, 2024
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
03/08/2024
9:30 am - 8:30 pm |
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL |
Saturday, March 9, 2024
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
03/09/2024
10:15 am - 4:00 pm |
IHSA Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
at UIUC ARC, Champaign IL |
03/09/2024
11:00 am - 7:00 pm |
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL |
Friday, March 15, 2024
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
03/15/2024
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
Opening Day at Sidney Dairy Barn
at Sidney Dairy Barn, Sidney IL |
Sunday, March 17, 2024
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
03/17/2024
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
St. Patrick's Day Parade Party - NEW LOCATION
at Riggs Beer Company, Urbana Il |
FEATURED EVENT
03/17/2024
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm |
Christie Clinic Presents: Shamrock Soccerfest at Soccer Planet
 at Soccer Planet, Urbana IL It's your lucky day! Join Christie Clinic and chambanamoms.com at Soccer Planet in Urbana for an afternoon of family fun on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 3 - 4:30pm. Families are invited to this FREE indoor event at Soccer Planet, where kids and parents alike can participate in a variety...Read More |
Are you at home for Spring Break? What are you doing with your family? We’d love to know! Tell us if we’ve missed your choices for spring break fun. Email editor@chambanamoms.com