18 Best Easter Events for Kids in the Chicago Area (2024)
Easter season is approaching, and there are dozens of family-friendly activities in the Chicago area for your Easter celebration. Whether you’re looking for brunch options, photo opportunities with the Easter bunny, or Easter egg hunts, we’ve found fun ideas for the whole family. Many activities require advance registration; some sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as early as possible!
1. Eggciting Family Night at Cosley Zoo
Friday, March 22 | 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187
Cosley Zoo is the perfect place for smaller kids because it’s affordable, small, and less crowded than other zoos. They are hosting an Easter event with the Easter Bunny, a scavenger hunt, and a craft. You can see the live animals too!
2. Easter Egg Hunt at Cantigny Park
Sunday, March 24 | 1 S, 151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
Cantigny Park is hosting a family-friendly event the Sunday before Easter weekend, and it will be a great way to kick off some Easter fun. There will be a free easter egg hunt, photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, an Easter craft, a book fair, and food trucks.
Each kid should bring their Easter basket to collect the plastic eggs; no advance registration is required.
3. Spring Egg-Stravaganza at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Saturday, March 30th | 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
The Lincoln Park Zoo is hosting its annual easter-themed event with fun easter festivities for the entire family. There will be egg hunts for kids of all ages, a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, a scavenger hunt, a musical performance by Mary Macaroni and the Impastas, outdoor activities and games, train and carousel rides, and an Easter parade.
Time slots for different age groups for the egg hunt must be selected when you purchase your tickets. If you have kids in different age groups, kids can go up in age groups but not down. There is limited space in each time slot, so buy your tickets early!
Each kid should bring their own basket to collect easter eggs.
4. Easter Egg Hunt at Gallagher Way
Saturday, March 30th | 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Gallagher Way is a place every Chicago parent should know about because their events are some of the best things to do with kids, and most events have free admission. Their Easter Egg Hunt is the perfect time to check it out, and it won’t conflict with other Easter plans because it’s the weekend after Easter.
The event is free, but each child that participates must have an Eventbrite ticket to show upon entry to the event. Parents/spectators do NOT need a ticket.
In addition to the search for treat-filled eggs, there will be a special appearance from the Easter Bunny and face painters.
5. Bunny Trolley Hop at the Illinois Railway Museum
Saturday, March 30 | 7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180
It’s the time of year for a local favorite annual event, the Bunny Tolley Hop at the Illinois Railway Museum! The Bunny Hop is a great opportunity for train enthusiasts to see the museum, ride some trains, and enjoy many other kid-friendly activities.
There will be an outdoor egg hunt if the April showers hold off. If necessary, the egg hunt will be moved into one of the museum’s historic buildings. Kids can take photos with the Easter Bunny in his “Carrot Coach,” and ride a streetcar to help the Bunny find his missing treasure.
There will be a bouncy castle, playground activities, a petting zoo, a food truck, and model train railroad displays. There’s no better way for train lovers to celebrate Easter time!
6. Chicago Botanic Garden Easter Brunch
Sunday, March 31 | 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
The Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting a festive Bunny Brunch with the Easter Bunny and a delicious buffet. After brunch, stroll through the garden and check out the beautiful spring blooms.
7. Easter Brunch at Cantigny Park
Sunday, March 31| 1 S, 151 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
Because Cantigny Park is such a great place, they also host a family-friendly brunch on Easter Sunday. Shrimp cocktail, herb-roasted striploin, a made-to-order omelet station, waffles, and more mouthwatering dishes will e served. This event sold out quickly last year, so make your reservations soon!
8. River Forest Eggstravaganza and Bunny Experience
Saturday, April 8th | Central Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
The River Forest Park District is hosting its annual easter egg hunt in a local park. Kids can exchange each golden egg for a special prize. The egg hunt is a free event.
Families may register for the VIP Bunny Experience, including face painting, a balloon artist, a special visit with the Easter Bunny, a goodie bag, and a great time!
9. Aqua Egg Hunt
Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29 | 1450 Forest Gate Road
The Aqua Egg Hunt is a pool egg hunt in the family aquatic center in Oak Brook on the Thursday before Easter and Good Friday. Sessions last for 90 minutes and families are invited to open swim after the egg hunt.
10. Easter Bunny at the HIP!
March 2-March 30 | 4104 N Harlem Ave, Norridge, IL 60706
Head to the Harlem Irving Plaza for photos with the Easte Bunny. All children will receive an Easter Coloring Book.
11. The Bunny at 900 North Michigan
Until March 30 | 900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
The Bunny is back at the shops at 900 North Michigan Avenue! Make a reservation to take a picture with the Easter Bunny in a dreamy, springtime setting curated by designers. After your photo, receive a voucher for a drop-in art class at Bubble Academy. Vouchers must be redeemed the same day as the photo.
12. Easter Brunch Cruise
March 31 | 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, ILÂ
Enjoy a delicious brunch along Lake Michigan with beautiful photo backdrops and entertainment. The cruise departs from Navy Pier.
13. Cuddle Bunny
2901 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 and 1119 Tower Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173
This isn’t necessarily an Easter event, but cuddling with a bunny seems especially appropriate around Easter. This unique space is a bunny rescue shelter that allows visitors to cuddle with bunnies. They have special events, like yoga and crafts, and private reservations. Visitors must be at least five years old to have contact with the bunnies.
14. Easter Brunch at Park and Field
Sunday, March 31 | 3509 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Park and Field, a restaurant with a very fun vibe in Logan Square, has a family-friendly brunch on Easter, and many reservation slots are still available. There will be separate Easter egg hunts for kids and adults, a special brunch menu, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
15. Easter Brunch at Hampton Social
Sunday, March 31 | Multiple Locations
Hampton Social has various locations around the city and suburbs, and its bright, nautical vibes are perfect for a spring Easter brunch. It’s on our list as one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Chicago!
16. Easter at TimeOut Market
Sunday, March 31 | 916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
TimeOut Market is a great place for the whole family, and they have an excellent variety of cuisines! On Easter they will have:
- 10-10:30am — Easter Egg Hunt on second floor
- 10:30-11:30am — Photos with the Easter Bunny
- 11:30-12:30pm — Easter Bunny to visit and roam throughout the market
- 11:30am-12:30pm — Kids’ face painting (with any proof of purchase)
17. Easter at Ina Mae Tavern
March 31 | 1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
Ina Mae Tavern is hosting. an Easter Brunch and an Easter Dinner special! They’ll have live music from 12pm-3pm, a full brunch menu, a bloody mary & spritz bar, and more. This is a great kid-friendly restaurant for your Easter Celebration!
18. Easter Brunch at Carnivale
March 31 | 702 West Fulton Market Street
Carnivale is one of the coolest restaurants in Chicago, and they’re hosting an all-you-can eat Brunch buffet with an Easter Egg Hunt, coloring stations, photo opportunities, and a visit from the Easter Bunny! This colorful, vibrant restaurant is great for kids!
