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You are here: Home / Spring Activities / 50+ Things To Do Over Spring Break in Champaign-Urbana

50+ Things To Do Over Spring Break in Champaign-Urbana

February 22, 2023 By From The Editors

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.

Things to Do During Spring Break in Champaign-Urbana

For most school districts, spring break in 2023 is the week of March 13-17, 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 they’re 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. Many special events happening spring break week, but make sure you register ahead of time. 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.

Children's Museum of Illinois

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 and has many public swim options 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.

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 new 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.

High Ropes Iron Coyote

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.

It’s always a good time to go to Meadowbrook Park or Carle Park, both in Urbana.

Make a day of it in Monticello: head out to Allerton Park and check out Nick’s Park playground.

Rope webs feature on Blair Park’s 5- 12-year-old structure.

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. Kids’ play areas have mostly reopened and you can get some books, movies and maybe even some fun other things, like games or puzzles, depending on the library.

Visit our trails

If you’ve noticed, we’ve put together multiple “trails,” some food-related, and some related to activities. A round-up of all the Champaign-Urbana Food Trails is available here for quick reference. The pizza trail, barbecue trail, ice cream trail are just a few of note.

Not related to food: if your kids love space, 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 2023’s spring break, but you can sneak in a lunch skate on March 9 or 10.)

Campustown entrance Champaign

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.)

Cows at Lincoln Park Zoo

Get ready for Easter and Passover

No FOOLING, these holidays are around the corner! Passover starts the night of April 5, and Easter is April 9. 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

Many 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).

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.

Giant golf driver and mousetrap in Casey, Illinois

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 9, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/09/2023
10:00 am - 9:00 pm
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL
03/09/2023
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Kids Craft Time: Handprint Cacti
at Tolono Library, Tolono Illinois
03/09/2023
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Family Fun Night | Greyt Readers
at Champaign Public Library, Champaign IL

Friday, March 10, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/10/2023
10:00 am - 9:00 pm
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL
03/10/2023
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Literary Space Program | Registration Required
at The Literary, Champaign IL

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/11/2023
All Day
IHSA Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
at UIUC ARC, Champaign IL
03/11/2023
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Central Illinois Aerospace Rocket Launch
at Forsyth Launch Site, Decatur IL
03/11/2023
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
March Madness at Aikman Wildlife Adventure
at Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Arcola IL
03/11/2023
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament
at State Farm Center, Champaign IL
03/11/2023
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
School Age Open Gym
at iPower School of Gymnastics, Champaign Illinois
03/11/2023
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Krannert Art Museum Knit & Sit
at Krannert Art Museum, Champaign Illinoies
03/11/2023
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Latin American Story Time
at Urbana Free Library, Urbana IL
03/11/2023
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Second Saturday Board Games
at The Urbana Free Library, Urbana
03/11/2023
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
University of Illinois Women's Gymnastics vs Kentucky and ISU
at Huff Hall, Champaign IL
03/11/2023
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
LEGO Club
at Champaign Public Library, Champaign IL
03/11/2023
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Library Circus
at Urbana Free Library, Urbana IL

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/12/2023
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Spurlock Sundays: Let's Go Fly a Kite
at Spurlock Museum, Urbana IL
03/12/2023
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
University of Illinois Men's Gymnastics vs Penn State
at Huff Hall, Champaign IL

Monday, March 13, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/13/2023
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Puzzle Exchange
at Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul IL

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/14/2023
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Illini Baseball vs. Indiana State
at Illinois Field, Champaign IL
03/14/2023
3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Puzzles and Pie. And Pi!
at Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Monticello IL

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/15/2023
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Crafternoon at The Spurlock
at Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, Urbana IL
03/15/2023
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Disney Hits Party Skate
at Skateland Savoy, Savoy IL
03/15/2023
1:00 pm
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Valparaiso
at Eichelberger Field, Urbana IL
03/15/2023
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bigfoot Hunt | Registration Required
at Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Monticello IL

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/16/2023
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
School's Out! BIG Games Day
at Champaign Public Library, Champaign IL
03/16/2023
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead | Registration Deadline 3/9
at Martens Center, Champaign IL
03/16/2023
6:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Family Fun Night
at Champaign Public Library, Champaign IL

Friday, March 17, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/17/2023
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Crafters Workshop: Spring Edition | Ages 6-9 | Registration Deadline 3/10
at Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet IL
03/17/2023
11:00 am - 11:45 am
St. Patrick's Day at Harvest Market with Shamrock Irish Dancers
at Harvest Market, Champaign IL
03/17/2023
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Crafters Workshop: Spring Edition | Ages 10-12 | Registration Deadline 3/10
at Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet IL
03/17/2023
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Opening Day at Sidney Dairy Barn
at Sidney Dairy Barn, Sidney IL
03/17/2023
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Illini Baseball vs. Southern Illinois - MOVED
at Illinois Field, Champaign IL
03/17/2023
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade - Downtown Urbana
at Sipyard, Urbana IL
03/17/2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
A Shamrockin' Glow
at Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Monticello IL

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Date/Time Event
03/18/2023
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cardinal Garden Ornament Workshop | Reservations Recommended
at Lowe’s Home Improvement, Champaign IL
03/18/2023
1:00 pm
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Western Illinois - CANCELED
at Eichelberger Field, Urbana IL
03/18/2023
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Illini Baseball vs. Southern Illinois - MOVED
at Illinois Field, Champaign IL
03/18/2023
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Babaloo | Live Music For Kids!
at Champaign Public Library, Champaign IL

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

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Filed Under: Spring Activities, Things To Do in CU Tagged With: Allerton Park, anita purves nature center, arrowhead lanes, brookfield zoo, Busey Woods, casey, champaign county forest preserve, champaign parks, Champaign Spring break, Champaign-Urbana spring break, Children's Discovery Museum, Children's Museum of Illinois, elevate, Friendship Grove Nature Playscape, Homer Lake, Homer Lake Interpretive Center, ice arena, IDEA Store, Indianapolis Zoo, Krannert Art Museum, Lake of the Woods, lincoln park zoo, Miller Park Zoo, museum of the grand prairie, Nick's Park, old orchard lanes, Peoria zoo, skateland, spring break, Spurlock Museum, Stephens Family YMCA, University of illinois campus, urbana indoor aquatic center, Urbana Park

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