Spring Break is happening soon and if you’re wondering what to do with your kids during the time off of school, we have some suggestions for you! There are plenty of fun places to check out during Spring Break no matter what your budget is. We’ve put together some options at each price level for ways you can have fun in the Rockford area this Spring Break.

Get Outside and Have Fun

FREE OPTIONS

Visit a local playground or do a playground hop. We’ve got a list of the best ones to visit in the Spring as well as playgrounds listed by city. If you want to try a playground hop, we recommend this loop in Machesney Park – Price Park to Russ Park to Sunny Meadow Playground

Another option is to pack up your kids’ bikes, or scooters, and take them to one of these bike paths in the Stateline.

You could also walk around in the outdoor gardens at Nicholas Conservatory (and see the butterfly exhibit for an additional cost). 

LOW-COST OPTIONS

Spend the day at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. They have more than 20 acres of space to enjoy nature. There’s a pond, several types of gardens including a Japanese garden, trees, and plenty of benches where you can rest during your walk. Winter admission until the end of March is free.

You could also head over to Klehm Arboretum in Rockford for a day outdoors. There are trails throughout the gardens and many different types of plants to see. Admission is $10 per adult, $8 per child, and free for kids 3 and under. It is also free for those (and three guests) who have SNAP EBT cards when showing the card at the gate. For more suggestions on outdoor spaces, check out our article on gardens in the Stateline.

SPENDY OPTION

Make it a whole day outside and mini-putt, go on go-carts, hit some balls in the batting cages, and play in the arcade at Volcano Falls in Rockford. Unlimited wristbands are $45 per person. Individual attractions range between $5-10 per person, per attraction.

Play Some Games

FREE OPTIONS

Bust out some board games at home and have a tournament. 

Head to one of our local libraries to play in their kids area. Beloit Public Library has an interactive kids’ area that includes a giant Connect Four. Rockford Public Library’s Hart Interim location has a play area with a slide. North Suburban Library has play areas at both locations that include imaginative play items and games.

LOW COST OPTIONS

Head over to Nickelworld in Rockford for more than 100 games that are either free play or one nickel per play. Admission is $2.25 per person to get on the game floor, but parties of three or more get in for $2 per person. There are plenty of games to keep your kids busy for hours.

Chuck E. Cheese in Rockford and Janesville are both options for fun without breaking the bank. Did you know that Chuck E. Cheese in Rockford was renovated in 2022? During Spring Break, both locations are offering All You Can Play options where kids get 30 free minutes of play when purchasing 60 minutes or more on weekdays. They often have deals available during the week on play cards and pizza. Check their deals page before you go!

Coral Cove Family Fun Center in South Beloit is another great option for low-cost fun. Throughout Spring Break, they have deals including BOGO 50% off on bounce house admission, Wednesday 50% off bounce admission when wearing wacky socks. Weekday bounce house admission is $10 per kid ages 4-13 and $7 per kid ages 3 and under. Game tokens are 4 for $1 or 100 for $20.

SPENDY OPTION

Titled 10 located in CherryVale Mall in Rockford is a whole day of fun in one place. They have tons of games including dozens of pinball machines, lots of claw machines with popular prizes, mini golf, spin bumper cars, mini bowling, laser tag, and more. Attractions run between $20-32 per person, per attraction. They also offer an on-site kitchen with a kids’ menu, burgers, pizza, and drinks. Throughout March, they are offering a discounted special for $40 for $20 on Friday and Saturday.

Run and Jump Around

FREE OPTIONS

Pull the cushions off the couch and let the kids go wild! 

Bring them to one of the free indoor play areas in the Stateline such as the soft play area in CherryVale Mall, Rockford’s Chick-Fil-A play area, or one of the McDonald’s or Burger King Play Places in the Stateline.

LOW COST OPTIONS

Bring the kids to Sapora Playworld in Rockford for a day of climbing, sliding, and crawling. This indoor playground has space for bigger kids ages 5-12 and a separate play area for kids 4 and under. Admission is $7 per kid, $5 after 6 pm, and free for adults. On Mondays and Wednesdays, kids get in for $5.

Head over to Coral Cove Family Fun Center in South Beloit to enjoy their bounce houses for half-price on Wednesdays when you wear wacky socks. 

SPENDY OPTIONS

Flow Rockford is a huge trampoline park with dodgeball, trampolines, basketball, foam pits, arcade games, and lots more. Admission is $15 per one hour for ages 6 and under and $18 per one hour for ages 7 and up. Socks cost an additional $3.50 per person. 

Urban Air is a trampoline and adventure park with dodgeball, trampolines, basketball, a ninja course, high flying harness, VR games, and more. Admission ranges between $23.99 – 30.99. Admission for kids 5 and under is $11.99.

You can also take a drive to JumpZone! in Crystal Lake. Their entire warehouse is filled with bounce houses of all kinds including obstacle courses. They also have a giant hamster ball, indoor playground, The Vault game, and a concession stand located inside the building. Admission is $16.95 per child, parents get in free. JumpZone is located only 13 minutes from Trader Joe’s in Algonquin. We always stop there after going to the JumpZone!

For more ninja gyms and trampoline parks within a 1-2 hour drive of Rockford, check out this article.

See a Movie

FREE OPTIONS

Use a streaming service, or DVDs you already own, to watch a family favorite. 

Head to your local library to borrow a DVD for free. Most local libraries offer free, or very inexpensive, DVD rentals and have the latest titles for adults and kids.

LOW COST OPTIONS

Classic Cinemas in Beloit not only has heated and reclining seats, they also offer a matinee special where all regular shows before 5 pm are only $7 per ticket. If you don’t make it there during Spring Break, keep an eye out for their summer kids’ movie series.

AMC Theatres in Rockford and Machesney Park offer discounted rates on certain shows at certain times with up to 25% off the evening price for matinee tickets. Tickets range between $10-15 per person. If you become a Stubs Club member (free to join), you can get discounted tickets on Tuesdays (around $6.50 per person) and a small popcorn and fountain drink combo for $5.

SPENDY OPTION

Take a drive to the suburbs to Star Cinema Grill in South Barrington to enjoy dinner and a movie. You arrive 30 minutes before your movie starts to order any food and drinks you’d like and then get to eat during the movie! Admission ranges between $10-15 per person and menu items range between $7-18 with a kids menu with items for $11.

Go to a Museum

LOW-COST OPTIONS

Spend the day at the Discovery Center Museum playing and enjoying the 32,000 square feet of educational fun. The Discovery Town exhibit is running during Spring Break. Admission is $10 per person, free for kids ages one and under. Admission to Discovery Center Museum is an additional $1 per person.

Head over to Burpee Museum next door to check out the dinosaurs including Jane, the world’s most preserved teenage dinosaur. Admission is $12 per adult, $10 for kids ages 4-12 and free for kids 3 and under.

Go to Historic Auto Attractions in Roscoe to see over 80,000 square feet of classic cars, Presidential items, Elvis memorabilia, and so much more. The museum doesn’t open until April 1st. Admission is $28 per adult / $17 per kid ages 7-15 / free for kids 6 and under.

SPENDY OPTION

Head into Chicago to check out one of their amazing museums including The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Adler Planetarium. Or try out an unusual museum like Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream. If a Spring Break trip doesn’t work out for your family, check out a list of free days for Chicago area museums here.

If you’re looking for more ideas for things to do this Spring Break in the Stateline, check out our Events Calendar where we have hundreds of events listed!