What’s better than FREE? Here is a list of free activities for you and your family to enjoy at the Champaign Park District!
Special Events
Bunny Open House
Douglass Community Center
Hop over to Douglass Community Center to take pictures and receive a sweet treat from the Bunny.
Date: April 1, 2023
Time: 10:30-11:30a
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
Eggs-ploration!
Ages 0-10
Douglass Park
Join us for a good old-fashioned egg hunt. Remember your basket for your goodies. Hunt for ages 0-4 (parents may help) will start promptly at 12pm. Hunt for ages 5-10 will follow immediately after the first hunt.
Date: April 1, 2023
Time: 12p
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-398-2573
Town & Country Amateur Art Show
Springer Cultural Center
Part of the fun of making art is displaying it. Budding artists and art enthusiasts are encouraged to enter their work in this local amateur show. There will be a recorded critique by the juror on the last day of the show. The juror will discuss the art, point out good technique, and offer helpful suggestions to those artists wishing to refine their talent. Town & Country shows are held throughout the state to encourage quality work by amateur artists. Blue ribbon winners from local shows are eligible to participate in the State Town and Country Art Show in the fall. View the art on display at Springer (during facility hours) for free!
Want to make an entry? Check out the Town & Country Amateur Art Show page >>
Date: April 1 – 29, 2023
Time: Springer Facility Hours*
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
Boneyard Creek Community Day
All Ages
Scott Park
Looking for a class volunteer project or a new way to bring the family together? Join us in making a difference at one of Champaign-Urbana’s natural treasures. Help restore the beauty of the Boneyard Creek in Champaign, Urbana, and Campustown by participating in this organized clean-up. Be on site to register at 9am. Free lunch will follow!
Visit boneyardcreek.org for more information. >>
Date: April 22, 2023
Rain date: TBD
Touch-A-Truck Day
Ages 2-5
Centennial Park
Tots, put your toy trucks away – it’s time to touch the real thing! Climb in, hop on, and honk the horns of some really big trucks and other vehicles during Touch-A-Truck Day! Tow trucks, fire trucks, police cars, and more will be available for kids to explore. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic too! Please note: in case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled.
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 10a-1p
Questions: zoe.southlynn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3931
Enrichment
ROCKET LAUNCHES
All Ages
The Central Illinois Aerospace Model Rocket Club schedules launches twice a month, generally on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Most of these are held at Dodds Park, through occasionally we will fly at other locations. If you have a model rocket, bring it and fly with us or just come out to watch. For further information call 217-359-8225 or go to www.ciarocketry.org.
Location: Dodds Park
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3901
FULL S.T.EA.M. AHEAD
3rd – 7th Graders
Martens Center
Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics. This is what makes up STEAM. Various science organizations from UIUC, in partnership with X-Time, are excited to introduce you to the wonderful world of STEAM and all that it entails. This is NOT a drop off event.
- January 5 | Deadline: December 29
- January 19 | Deadline: January 12
- February 2 | Deadline: January 26
- February 16 | Deadline: February 9
- March 2 | Deadline: February 23
- March 16 | Deadline: March 9
- April 6 | Deadline: March 30
- April 20 | Deadline: April 13
Day: Thursday
Time: 4:30-6p
Fee: FREE, but registration is required for each session
Questions: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3973
CENA Y CIENCIAS: SERVING UP SCIENCE ONE MEAL AT A TIME
Family with children ages Kindergarten – 5th grade
Grab your family and come learn about different sciences. This program is suitable for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Cena y Ciencias is a collaborative scientific outreach program in the bilingual community. Enjoy a free meal afterward. Everyone is welcome, but please note that this program is completely spoken in Spanish and is NOT a drop-off event.
- Microbial Diversity | February 6
- Aerospace Science | March 6
- Topic TBD | April 3
Day: Monday
Time: 5-7p
Fee: FREE
Location: Martens Center
Questions: katherine.hicks@champaignparks.org
C.U.A.S. FAMILY SKYWATCH
Ages 5+
Join members of the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society, Inc. on select Saturdays for an evening under the stars. See the stars and planets through the largest public telescope in East Central Illinois. All skywatch sessions are cancelled in the event of cloudy weather (visit cuas.org.).No registration required.
- March 25
- April 29
- May 27
Time: Sunset
Location: CUAS Observatory, 926 County Road 700E, Champaign
Questions: sean.hurst@champaignparks.com or 217-819-3901
50 Plus!
DOUGLASS SENIOR MEETINGS
Ages 50+
Share your great ideas with us about new programs and activities or give your thoughts on what is already offered at the Douglass Annex.
- January 10
- February 21
- March 21
- April 17
Day: Monday/Tuesday
Time: 1:30 -2:30p
Location: Douglass Annex
Fee (M/NM): FREE
Questions: call Robert at 217-819-3961 or email at robert.white@champaignparks.org
LEARNING CURVE SERIES
Ages 50+
This series consists of learning new skills that affect our demographic. Come and leave smarter than when you arrived.
- January 10
- February 21
- March 31
- April 17
Day: Tuesday
Time: 2-3p
Location: Douglass Annex
Fee (M/NM): FREE
Questions: call Robert at 217-819-3961 or email at robert.white@champaignparks.org
PANCAKES AND PROGRAMS
Ages 50+
Join us for breakfast and an overview of the newest Program Guide. This is a fantastic time to ask questions about programs and register.
Date: March 27, 2023
Time: 12-2p
Location: Douglass Annex
Fee (M/NM): FREE
Questions: robert.white@champaignparks.org or call 217-398-2572
Tree Program
GROWING TOGETHER TREE
The Growing Together Tree is a program for parents or soon-to-be parents to adopt a tree that has been planted in a Champaign Park District park during the year of their new child’s birth or adoption year. Together they grow, child and tree.
Those who adopt a Growing Together Tree receive an infant t-shirt, a certificate, and a map with their tree’s location. There is no fee, however a donation of $200 to the Champaign Parks Foundation will purchase a 9 x 5 cast bronze plaque to personalize the tree in the park. Space is limited to 150 characters.
What kind of trees are available?
Deadline: March 1
Questions: bret.johnson@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3850
