Chicago Public Schools Spring Break in Lake County

By: Jonathan Jones 04/15/2016

It took forever, but it's finally here.

It's finally getting warm and you may need a break from the city to get a little touch of nature, thrills and chills, shopping and more.

Pack up the car and stay over night in Lake County - you will not be disappointed. Here's some of the things going on for Chicago Public Schools spring break in Lake County:

Antioch's Eco Fair April 16; 10 am - 2 pm

Come out and learn about being eco-friendly. Talk to vendors about earth friendly products, native plants and animals, gardening, alternative energy & more. There will be eco-friendly fun, prizes & giveaways. Kid's activities include making bird feeders, bee hives, planting seeds & recycled art.

Meet Iron Man @ Tilt Studio April 17; Noon - 3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m.

Come and meet your favorite Avenger... Iron Man at Tilt Studio at Rink Side Sports. He'll make three special appearances at 11:00 am to noon, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, and 5:00 - 6:00 pm. He'll want to mix and mingle and take photos with all of his fans. We'll take photos and post them on our Facebook page for free, but you are welcome to take photos as well. Plus, enter to win an Iron Man-themed prize of your very own! We'll have a free drawing at the end of each of his three appearances, but you must be present to win. Admission is FREE.

Woodcock Walk April 17; 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Join us for a peek at the unique courtship flight and call of the American woodcock, a fascinating bird of Lake County. Adults and families with children ages 8 and older are invited. Registration required. 

Small Discoveries - Seasons on the Farm @ Lake County Discovery Museum April 20; 10 - 11 a.m.

Small discoveries add up to big fun for little ones! Join us select Wednesdays and explore a variety of topics through stories, hands-on activities, pretend play and simple crafts. A great opportunity to learn, make new friends, and get to know other families. Learn about the four seasons and how they affect the work on a farm. We'll read a story and create a piece of farm art to take home! Price includes Museum admission.

Full Moon Drum Circle @ David Adler Music and Arts Center April 22; 6:30-9 p.m.

Come out and celebrate the full moon with music, rhythm, dancing, and fellowship, hosted by Shamanic Practitioner, Lorraine Ciofani. Bring drums, rattles, or other percussion instruments for a night of family-friendly fun. No experience or instruments necessary.

6th Annual Extreme Block Party @Libertyville High School Field House April 23; 10 am - 3 p.m.

Bring the family out for a day of fun. Enjoy free food, free fun and free admission! Open to adults and children of all ages. 100+ Local Vendors, live entertainment, raffle prizes, live reptile show, face painting and so much more! The most fun that can be had indoors in April!

Train Day @ Lambs Farm April 23; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Children of all ages can don their conductor’s hat and operate the Digital Command Control System for running the model trains on the club’s portable layout. The Valley Model Train Layout also features a CTC computerized signal system courtesy of the Valley Model Railroad Club. 

Lake Forest's Smelt-O-Rama April 23; Sundown - 10 p.m.

Seasoned anglers will be on hand to demonstrate demonstrate two methods of smelting: done-gill line and dip netting. Learn how to catch, clean and cook these tasty little critters! A limited number of nets will be provided by the Recreation Department so that everyone will have a chance to get into the action. Event begins at sundown and goes until 10pm. Don't miss out on the free family event.

Earth Day 5K Fun/Run Super Hero Race @ Millennium Park in Lindenhurst April  23 9 a.m.

Unleash your Earth Day Environmental Fighter and go green. Come dressed as a Super Hero or make one up and help save the planet. This event is free for all ages. Register in person from April 1-April 20 at the Lindenhurst Park District or print out a registration form found on the website and bring it on race day. Registration will also be conducted onsite on April 23 from 8:15am-8:45am. The race starts at 9am and begins and ends at Millennium Park. Costumes are encouraged. Water will be supplied.

Astronomy Day @ College of Lake County April 23; 10am-4pm, Evening Events 7pm-10pm

Astronomy Day is a national springtime event, when astronomy clubs, planetariums, and other groups of sky lovers across the nation band together to share with the public the joy and wonders of astronomy. This year the Lake County Astronomical Society will conduct a number of family-oriented daytime activities that include Comet-Making demonstrations, Solar Observing through specially equipped telescopes, and a walking tour of a scale model of the solar system. Displays will be available on a variety of topics, including astrophotography, aurora, a high altitude balloon display, Astronomy Simulators (on Lunar phases, seasons etc.), explanatory demos and club events. There will be a replay of the latest Von Karman Lecture and live presentations on 'Astronomy as a Hobby'. A children’s craft table will be available for our young future astronomers to enjoy. Club members will have many types and sizes of telescopes on display, and will be available to answer questions on their equipment. The event will culminate with an outdoor evening “Star Party” at which Lake County Astronomical Society members will have a wide variety of types and sizes of telescopes available to give visitors an opportunity to see the moon, stars and planets. Some of the items visible will include Jupiter and the ringed planet, Saturn. Saturn rings are an awe-inspiring sight. When viewing the moon, visitors will see rugged craters, valleys and mountains, up close. Globular star clusters, beautiful double colored stars, and other astronomical wonders may be visible during the evenings viewing. Members of the general public are welcome to bring their own binoculars and telescopes as well to the event. 

Family Kite Fly @ Century Park in Vernon Hills April 23; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Bring the family out for a great day of kite flying. Kites available through the park district for $6 or bring one from home. This free event will be fun for everyone. Park at the Boat Dock shelter parking lot and walk up to the island picnic shelter. No registration necessary.

Earth Week Programs at the Lake County Forest Preserves April 18-April 24

Join the Forest Preserves for a week of special programs in awareness of Earth Week. There will be lake clean-ups, tours, fishing, hikes and much more. Visit the website for complete schedule. Some programs require reservations.

Chicago Botanic Garden's Weekend Family Class Featuring Gumballs & Superballs April 23; 9 - 1130 am or 1-230 p.m.

Children ages 4-10. Find out how people use parts of rainforest trees to make chewing gum and rubber. Create your own bouncing ball and flavorful gum to take home.

KeyLime Cove Community Days April 24 - June 10; 10 a.m. - 9 pm daily

Community Days offers people a chance to enjoy the indoor water park on a date of their choosing within the time line of the event, from 10am-8pm without having to pay for an overnight. Tickets must be purchased through United Way of Lake County, at KeyLime Cove's front desk or clickhere. Then redeem the tickets at KeyLime Cove's for a wristband throughout the time period. Tickets are $30 and can be used April 24 - June 10, 2016 only, with the exception of Memorial Day weekend May 27-30. Daily occupancy determines how many tickets can be redeemed and will not be honored if it is at maximum, so call before for availability. 

Growing up in Lake County: Exploring History through the Stories of Children Exhibit @ Lake County Discovery Museum Throughout Chicago Public School Spring Break in Lake County

Ever wondered what life was like for children in the past? Growing Up in Lake County shares the everyday and extraordinary stories of children who grew up in the county. Try your hand at living and working on a pioneer homestead. Discover what life was like for a young drummer boy in the Civil War. Learn about the first African-American family to settle in the county. Attend school in a one-room schoolhouse and play as children did over 100 years ago. Through real artifacts, historical accounts and hands-on experiences, children connect the stories of the past to their own lives in this new exhibition for families.

Miller's Dog N Suds Classic Car Cruise Night Daily throughout spring break

Every Saturday night come enjoy Lake County's Original Classic Car Night at Miller's Dog N Suds 50's Style Drive-In. Cars pre-1973 or older, plenty of parkihg for the public. The Car Hops will be happy to serve frosted mugs of real draft root beer, Coney Dogs, Texasburgers, root beer floats and much more. Bring a lawn chair.

And last but certainly not least:

Six Flags Great America opens on April 23. Continue here to learn about ticket prices, rides, eats and so much more. Enjoy your time off kids!