Your Spring Staycation in Lake County

By: Jonathan Jones 03/18/2015

Surely you can't leave the country every year during the kid's spring break. Lake County has all you need to make 2015's spring staycation a memorable one.

All around the area, everyone is preparing for the warm weather to blanket Lake County. With all of the diverse indoor and outdoor activities that you can take advantage of, you will forget that you stayed home this year.

Here are some of the most popular, family fun activities you can attend during your spring staycation in Lake County. 

5th Annual Free Throw Challenge

Now till April 4

With March Madness officially beginning tomorrow, don’t you want to show your skills are as accurate as the college players? It's a good learning opportunity for your children to show how important it is to shoot well from the free stripe and have them simulate a higher-pressured situation. The Libertyville Sports Complex is hosting their Fifth Annual Free Throw Challenge to find out who is the area’s best sharp shooter until March 30.

The divisions are divvied up by women, men, girls and boys. The complex features youth grades: third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade and the high school levels for boys and girls. Find out who’s the best of the best in your age group. The finals will be April 4 at the Complex in Libertyville. 

Before ... I Do

Fridays and Saturdays, march 13-28 @ 8 p.m.; Adult Admission $20/ Seniors and children admission $15

Wedding season is upon us again! Congratulations if you are taking that leap of faith. Three Brother’s Theatre in Waukegan presents Before… I Do. This funny and wild tells a story of Dick and Jane’s union. The bridesmaids are ready to leave and a groomsman has been struck by Cupid because of the sister of the bride. I don’t want to provide a spoiler, so head on over to Three Brother’s Theatre before you jump the broom!

Libertyville 6th Annual Fine Arts Month

Ending March 25

A perfect time to show your children how beautiful art is as the  Sixth Annual Fine Arts Month is winding down Wednesday March 25. The exhibits aren’t just in one venue, but in various venues around downtown Libertyville like the David Adler Music and Arts Center, Civic Center, Studio West Store window and other establishments will feature youth art events, musical performances, workshops, talent forums and more

Maple Syrup Hike @ Ryerson Woods

Saturday and Sundays, March 21-22 and March 28-29

Treat yourself to the sweet sap and sugar maples on a hike at Ryerson. In this hike, you will learn everything there is to know about how the maple trees supply that sticky substance that you cover your breakfast with. Act fast and reserve a spot for this hike, because if you have a slow sappy approach your spot will fill up. Hikes begin every half hour between 12:30-3 p.m.

Spring Break Fun

Monday- Saturday, March 23 – 27; 12-2 p.m.

Worried about what your kids are going to do during Spring Break while you’re at work? Make a stop over to the Lake County Discovery Museum for afternoon fun. There is plenty of intriguing and interesting goodies for the kids. The Wauconda museum will also provide special activities and crafts while exploring some of the exhibits and artifact. The Spring Break extravaganza is free with museum admission.

Briar Hill Farm Open House and Cheese and Hard Cider Workshop

Open House Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Cheese hard Cider Workshop Sunday 10 a.m. Briar Hill 29583 N Gossell Rd Wauconda, IL 60084. It is $50 for the Sunday event. Preregistration before March 18th and cheese and hard cider workshop participants will save $10.

Briar Hill Farm not only begins their season Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for their open house  to meet a horse/farm animal, but Sunday March 22 at 10 a.m., the Wauconda farm will conduct a one-day cheese and hard cider workshop. You will go home with cheddar, colby, feta or mozzarella cheese and a jug of hard cider or wine.

Vernon Hill’s Hoppin Holiday Hunt & Magic

Saturday, March 28 9 – 11 a.m.

'Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail.' Children ages 8 and under get to take a picture with the Bunny and hunt for treats and prizes. The Vernon Hills Park District supplies the baskets for the hunt at Sullivan Community Center. A continental breakfast is provided throughout the morning and a magic show is performed. Fee for adults is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents, $5 for children residents and $6 for children non-residents.

American English @ the James Lumber Center

Saturday, March 28; @ 7:30 p.m.; Regular $30/25/20 Senior/Staff/Alumni $29/24/19 CLC Student/Teen $15 Children $7

“Hello, Goodbye!”  Aren't you glad you don't have to go "Across the Universe," to see the fab four!?  American English is bringing their invasion to the James Lumber Center in Grayslake. This Beatles Tribute Band wants “To Hold Your Hand,” throughout their whole performance as they cover the classics from 1963-1970. This fun cover band takes all the fab four’s details into consideration like costume changes, vintage instruments and special effects.

For more Spring Staycation ideas, continue here.