Guide to Lake County Spring Break

By: Jonathan Jones 03/18/2016

There’s no need to leave on vacation. They have an entire summer for that. Lake County has your kids entertained and still learning even during spring break. Lake County’s spring break started today, while many of them are starting the following week.

Many will likely be watching March Madness through the weekend (ugh, two out of three of my brackets are already busted, thank you Michigan State and Baylor).

For an overview of what Lake County has going on all through spring continue here. Click here for St. Paddies Day festivities. Also Easter falls right during the middle of spring break. For you Easter Egg hunts, follow this link.

Here is your guide to Lake County Spring Break.

Free-Throw Physics @ GLNM March 19; 1-3 p.m.

March Madness began this week. Basketball is just a game, but there is an educational route about the sport as well. Great Lakes Naval Museum will feature a free-throw admission class to teach students about the math and science behind their favorite sports. The Naval Museum will discuss properties of basketballs, baseballs, tennis balls, golf balls and hockey puck.

Lake County Model Railroad Spring Open House March 19-20; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bring the family out for a great day at the Lake County Railroad Club's spring open house. The club demonstrates what the hobby of model railroading offers a family or an individual. The club operates an HO scale permanent operating model railroad, in a 30 by 60 foot room occupying over 1,500 square feet. In addition there is a scavenger hunt for the kids to see if they can spot wolves, buffalo, people fishing, and other unique features on the layout. 

Maple Syrup Hikes @ Ryerson March 19-20; Noon-2 p.m.

Reserve a spot for one of the popular maple syrup hikes. On this one-hour hike, learn how trees work and about the sweet sap of sugar maples. Everyone gets a taste. Participants will follow the process from sap to syrup and taste the final product. Hikes begin every half-hour from 12 - 2pm. Registration by the day before is required, and hikes fill fast, so register soon. Cost to attend is $6 and children 3 and under are free.

Gurnee Family THeatre Presents Jack & the Giant March 19-20; Sat 2 & 7 p.m. and Sun 2 & 5 p.m.

Bring the family out and enjoy the Gurnee Park District Family Theatre performance of Jack and the Giant. 

Small Discoveries - Hop into Spring @ Lake County Discovery Museum March 23; 10-11 a.m.

Small discoveries add up to big fun for the little ones, ages 2-5! A great opportunity to learn, make new friends, and get to know other families. Celebrate the arrival of Spring with stories, crafts and more! 

Historical Lecture: Great Lakes, Great Women @ GLNM March 25; 2-3 p.m.

In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a lecture titled, “Great Lakes, Great Women.” This talk will explore the significant contributions of women to Naval Station Great Lakes who broke legal and civic barriers in the fight for inclusion and equality. Admission and parking are free.

Thumber's Learn to Skate Clinics @ Rink Side March 22-26; 10:30-11:15 a.m.

A super way to spend Spring Break from school is to learn how to skate. Choose one or more of the following dates: March 22, 24, & 26. These clinics are an introduction to Rink Side's Skating School. Thumper's Learn to Skate classes are open to kids 3-12. There will be 30 minutes of instruction along with 15 minutes of free time. Skate rental is extra. A public skate follows the clinics which requires regular admission. 

Spring Break Sports Camp @ Deerfield Park District March 28-April 1

Boys and girls interested in spring break competitive sports, including soccer, kickball, whiffle ball and basketball sign up now. We will have lunch in the café at Sachs. Please bring a sack lunch. After lunch there will be open swim in the pool. Sportsmanship, teamwork and having fun will be stressed during this camp. 

Sixth Annual Free Throw Challenge @ the Libertyville Sports Complex Now until March 29

Who is the best free throw shooter in the area? Come out for the sixth free throw challenge. The challenge will divided by grades and ages; Grades 3rd grade to High School, Adult (Men and Women age 18+, Age 30+ and Seniors 55+). Each competitor gets 10 free throw shots and the top five scorers advance to the Championship. Competition will end March 31st and the finals will be held April 2nd. A waiver must be signed to compete.

Spring Break Camp @ Chicago Bo March 21-April 1

Children grades K-5 will participate in high-quality learning activities with experienced teachers who use inquiry-based, hands-on activities. Programming connects nature to a range of themes including art, cuisine, and conservation. This spring, children will have the opportunity to dissect and plant seeds, explore fragrant herbs and flowers, search for birds and early spring plants on nature hikes, take a trolley ride around the Garden, create take-home, science-themed projects, and much more! Each day offers a different adventure, and for the first time, parents have the flexibility to register by the day. Register in advance. $75 nonmember, per child per day. Garden Plus members receive 20 percent off. 

Spring Break Deals @ Jump America March 19 - April 2

Jump America has special offers everyday for Spring Break. Bring the kids out and burn off some energy. Monday get a second hour free with full price first hour from 4pm-9pm, Tuesday there will be Hamster Ball Races from 5pm-9pm, Wednesday Jump all Day for only $18, Thursday 2 jumpers for 2 hours and 2 large Icees for only $38 and Friday Jump 'N' Jam from 6pm-10pm for $17. For complete details please visit the website. 

Blackhawks Roadwatch Party @ Libertyville Sports Complex April 1; 5-10 p.m.

The Blackhawks Roadwatch Party was created to offer Hawks fans a central location to watch their favorite team on the road. This Roadwatch event will include all of the fun of a Hawks home game, including goal celebrations, intermission contests, giveaways, singing of the National Anthem by Jim Cornelison, the Ice Crew and Tommy Hawk, the team's mascot. Tickets and updates will be available at a future date. 

Weekend Family Class: Gumballs & Superballs @ Chicago Bo April 2; 9:30-11a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.

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. Children ages 4-10 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult, limit 3 children per adult. Register online.

3rd Annual Robotics Show April 2; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This is a free family event and is open to the public. The theme for this year's challenge is Dog Agility where teams of middle school youth will program teams of Dog-bots to autonomously complete events that are similar to events used in Dog Agility events. Bring the kids and come meet the Dog-bots.

Spring Break Special @ Tilt Studio March 21-April 8

School's out but fun is in at Tilt Studio at Rink Side Sports in the Gurnee Mills Mall. Take advantage of this Spring Break Special starting Monday, March 21 through Friday, April 8. For only $15 receive four full hours of Unlimited Video Games and Unlimited Attractions. This offer is good for four hours after the first card swipe. Cards will not operate ticket, token, prize, or merchandise games. 

Snowmobile Exhibit @ Volo Auto Now until April 30

Some of the finest remaining examples of the first ever snowmobiles dating back 92 years will be on display at the Volo Auto Museum. These will be on display through April. Snowmobiles from the 1920's through the 1980's can be seen. 

Cinderella...After the Ball @ the Marriott Theatre March 3-8; Matinees begin at 10 a.m.

Ever wonder what happens to Cinderella after the Ball? Come witness her quest for happily ever after as she and her besties, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, take matters into their own hands to save the kingdom from the villainous Pinocchio. Girl power abounds in this contemporary world premiere musical tale that is sure to delight children and adults alike with its toe tapping music and quick witted humor. The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences presents special one-hour presentations for kids (and parents) of all ages!

LEGO Robotics & Science Camps Ongoing

If your child likes building with LEGO(R) and is interested in learning about engineering and robotics this is the camp for them. Weekly camps start June 9th and go through August 5th. To register call 847-996-0123 or online at http://carobotfactory.com/summer-classes-2014/