Best Family-Friendly Easter Events In Chicago
Celebrate Easter in a big way this year with an assortment of family-friendly events scheduled in the Chicago area. Do you want to spend Easter relaxing over a leisurely brunch in a unique location? Then keep reading. If you'd rather embrace your competitive side and go for a run with your family, then there's something for you, too. You may even see the Easter Bunny along the way. Although Easter Sunday is March 27, there are plenty of events scheduled on or around the holiday. If you'd liked to attend an event, hop to it and make reservations in advance.
Easter Egg Hunt
Chicago Park District
(312) 742-7529
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
What's an Easter celebration without an egg hunt or two? Through the Chicago Park District, families can participate in Easter egg hunts held in select parks throughout the city. Near North Side, families can go to the egg hunt at Maggie Daley Park on March 24 starting at 10 a.m., or on March 26 at 10 a.m. in McKinley Park. A fee or advance registration may apply for some of the events, and a full list of other egg hunts is available via the Chicago Park District's website. If you have a few four-legged family members, then check out the egg hunt just for dogs at Horner Park on March 26 at 1 p.m.
Aquatic Egg Hunt
Arlington Heights Park District
Olympic Indoor Swim Center
600 N. Ridge Ave.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 577-3000
www.ahpd.org
Sure, egg hunts in the playground are fun, but what about an egg hunt in a pool? Arlington Heights Park District will host its pool egg hunt on March 19 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., complete with small prizes inside the plastic eggs. The hunt, which will take place in the activity pool of the Olympic Indoor Swim Center, will have three different times for participants. Mom and dad will need to get in the pool, too, as children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for this event, and additional details are available on the park district's website.
Easter Themed Cooking Classes
The Kids' Table
Wicker Park
2337 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
Lakeview
2864 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 235-2665
www.kids-table.com
Learn a few new cooking skills when you and your family participate in the Easter-themed cooking class at The Kids' Table. The organization, which offers cooking classes for kids, teens and even adults, will host a cooking class in honor of the holiday, complete with egg salad sandwiches and even naturally-dyed Easter eggs. Kids as young as two years of age can participate, and the fee is $18 per family member. Mark your calendar: The 90-minute class will be held March 25 at 3:30 p.m. in the cooking school's Wicker Park location, and on March 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lakeview neighobrhood location.
Breakfast With The Easter Bunny
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 968-0074
www.mortonarb.org
For many families, Easter is synonymous with brunch. Instead of eating in a typical restaurant, consider making reservations for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at The Morton Arboretum. The brunch will be held March 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Ginkgo Restaurant, and it is advised you purchase tickets in advance. You'll want to bring your camera, as the event includes a visit from the Easter Bunny, too. After brunch, consider exploring the arboretum's extensive grounds with your family.
Bunny Rock Chicago 5K
Montrose Harbor
601 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(847) 829-4536
www.bunnyrock5k.com
This Easter, run or walk in the Bunny Rock Chicago 5K. Held March 26 at the picturesque Montrose Harbor in Chicago at 9 a.m, the race is a great way to squeeze in some exercise, while having fun with your family over the holiday weekend. The event is timed, but expect to have fun on your run too, as participants get bunny ears and fun sunglasses. There are kid-friendly activities planned as well, with a petting zoo and an egg hunt scheduled. The Easter Bunny is also rumored to make an appearance. This year, the official charity partner of the race is the Chicago-based organization Red Door Animal Shelter.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a runner, reader, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She is also the president of Megan Writes, LLC. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
