We don’t call it a Champaign-Urbana bucket list; it’s a MUST DO LIST for kids who live in the Champaign-Urbana area
From the tiniest of toddlers to the most tenacious teens, Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding areas have plenty to offer in terms of fun for everyone. We offer here some of our top picks of ways to stay healthy, active, and on the move in every season.
Thank you to our friends at Christie Clinic for presenting this list of activities to enjoy with your children as they grow and develop. These activities represent a few of our favorites; we hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy all 16 if you are the parent of an infant, toddler, or big kid — or maybe are 16+ in a few years or so.
True to our mission, most of these events are free or low-cost.
Enjoy every minute.
In addition to checking out all of the fun to be had around Champaign-Urbana, be sure to check out 16 things to discuss with your teen’s medical provider from our friends at Christie Clinic. Image provided by Christie Clinic.
16 things to do before turning 16 in Champaign-Urbana
Stroll or roll through Meadowbrook Park. Champaign-Urbana is full of amazing parks but Meadowbook Park is consistently named by our readers as the best of the best, a true favorite. Life in Champaign-Urbana is not complete without at least one visit to beautiful Meadowbrook Park located in southeast Urbana. Part of the Urbana Park District, Meadowbrook Park combines wide open space, a great path, beautiful artwork and sculptures. If you feel like hauling bikes along, children and families alike will appreciate the paved pathways through gardens, wildflowers, and beautiful scenery. Check out our parent tips for Meadowbrook Park before you plan your trip.
Editor’s note: Meadowbrook Park playground is currently under construction. We look forward to seeing what the new playground is like when it reopens!
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Check out the locally grown food and food trucks at Urbana’s Market at the Square. A trip to the Urbana Farmers Market is definitely a treat for children and adults. From the delicious food trucks to the locally grown foods, beautiful accessories, lovely flowers, and even live music, there is something for everyone on Saturday morning. Runs from the first Saturday in May to the end of October.
Take a family bike ride on the Kickapoo Rail Trail. Load up the bikes and head out to the Kickapoo Rail Trail for your family’s next active adventure. A 6.7-mile path from Urbana to St. Joseph is open for families to hike, bike, or use other means of non-motorized transportation.
Take your kids creek stomping in nature at Lake of the Woods or Homer Lake. Dust off the rain boots and pull out the play clothes. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District offers ample opportunity for outdoor play and their creeks and wooded areas are no exception. Children’s imaginations are free to run wild in the great outdoors and creative play can come alive. Toss a change of clothes in the car and don’t be afraid of the messy sensory play.
Run a race during the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. Whether racing in the kids run, 5k (or 10k, relay, or marathon if you are really adventurous), the Illinois Marathon weekend experience is one that you just can’t miss. A photo finish on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium is sure to be a memory not forgotten as your child ages.
Feed the animals at Champaign Park District’s Prairie Farm. This free summer tradition is one children of all ages will enjoy. Make sure to visit during petting zoo hours and don’t forget closed toe shoes for every person in your group so everyone can enjoy the animals.
Visit at least one of our amazing local libraries. From engaging summer reading programs, students keep track of their progress with age appropriate reading goals and earn some pretty fantastic prizes throughout the process. Prizes are awarded at intervals to keep readers engaged and focused on the fun. It’s a great way to learn all about the programs and opportunities provided by the library. We’re especially fond of our friends at Champaign Public Library and Urbana Free Library.
Slip, slide, and dive your way into Champaign-Urbana pools. We are fortunate to have some top-notch swimming pools around Champaign-Urbana. Take the opportunity to jump off the diving board or climb the water wall at Crystal Lake Park Aquatic Center. Zoom down the water slides at Sholem Aquatic Center or glide on the lazy river. Rantoul’s Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center features a fast vertical drop slide that will leave your kids asking for just one more turn before you leave.
Ride the ferris wheel at the Champaign County Fair. We get a lot of great fairs and festivals through Champaign-Urbana every single year. But without question, the most well-attended carnival and week-long event is the Champaign County Fair. Heading out to the fair at night to take a spin on the ferris wheel is one experience we can’t skip over.
Cheer on the Illini at a game. With so many sporting opportunities, there is bound to be one that the whole family can agree upon. Find a family friendly tailgate or hold one of your own and invite your friends and family for a game-day experience your family is sure to remember. Bonus points for getting to all 21 varsity sports. Don’t forget your orange and blue, and GO ILLINI!
Have an Allerton Park experience. There’s a reason why it’s called one of the seven wonders of Illinois. There are so many ways to engage at Allerton, from taking tours at the mansion, taking a hike, checking out the peony garden (and other formal gardens), or bundling up for a winter favorite — the Winter Walk, which goes through much of December and January.
Explore the fun at the University of Illinois Vet Med Open House. Learn more about careers and opportunities in veterinary medicine at this fun event that your children will want to visit year after year. From cow milking demonstrations to the wildlife clinic and horseshoeing expos, there are plenty of fun exhibits for the animal lover in your household. Typically held in early October.
Take in a show at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. We challenge you to find a campus performing arts center that can top Krannert Center. We’re big fans of the many free and low-cost programming options offered by Krannert Center that help local families access high quality, diverse artists in such a wide array of performance media.
Pick apples or pumpkins at Curtis Orchard. Did you know that your family can pick your own apples at Curtis Orchard? Sure, it’s fun to go to the orchard and experience all of the fun activities but we think that picking your own apples and hand selecting the “perfect one” is so much fun … not to mention, it’s also a healthy snack. While you are there, enjoy the goats, cats, and other fun activities. Make sure to grab an apple cider slushy or donut for your trip home.
Take a selfie with Alma Mater or the Mammoth. Whether you’re going to a sporting event or just passing through, make sure to stop by the Alma Mater to grab a photo of your child (or the entire family). That may come in handy some day for a graduation down the road for some future Illini. One of our newer favorites is to venture a little deeper into the Quad and find the Mammoth!
Go sledding at Colbert Park. There are so many opportunities for winter fun around Champaign-Urbana that we couldn’t pick just one thing. Kids need to experience them all. Snowfalls can be few and far between, but if and when there is a snowfall, make sure to take your kids sledding at Colbert Park. Insider tip: Make sure to order the snow gear before the first snowfall is expected so that you are prepared when the first flakes hit the ground.