Nothing announces the arrival of spring quite like a big blue sky full of colorful kites soaring overhead. It’s National Kite Month, and Chicagoland is filled with public parks offering the opportunity for you to experience this beautiful springtime spectacle firsthand. We’ve put together a long list of local parks where you can participate in statewide “Flying for Kids” kite flying festivals and activities. So gather your family under sunny skies, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy a day of good, wholesome kite-flying fun!

To learn more about Illinois’s statewide kite fly, visit ilparks.org.

Kite Flying Festivals and Events in Chicagoland

Kite Flying Events in the Western Suburbs

Go Fly a Kite Workshop (River Forest)
Sunday, March 18, 2018 | 1:oo pm 
Explore spring wind and weather patterns at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Then, discover how to harness the wind’s energy by making and flying your own kite! Ages 6–12 w/adult. Cost: $5. Call to register by 3/17: (708) 366-6530

Spring Easter Egg Hunt and Kite Fly (Oakbrook Terrace)
Saturday, March 24, 2018 at noon
The city of Oakbrook Terrace will host its annual easter egg hunt for kids ages 0-9 at Stella May Swartz School. Afterward, kids ages 10-12 are invited to join in a Kite Fly. Participation is free for residents and $5.00 for each non-resident guest. Pre-registration is required, and only residents can register non-resident guests. For details, call (630) 941-8300, ext. 201.

Family Night at Cantigny Park: Fly a Kite (Wheaton)
Friday, April 20, 2018 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Bring your own kite or purchase one for $3 when you get there. Wind permitting, Chicago Kite will be doing some kite demonstrations.

Community Kite Fly (Alsip)
Saturday, May 5, 2018 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Spend a beautiful spring day at Commissioners Park with the Alsip Park District for a family-friendly afternoon of kite flying. You may bring your own kite, or borrow one from the Park District. You’ll also enjoy refreshments, a craft and a chance to win a prize basket. Admission is free. For more information, call (708) 389-1003.

Flying 4 Kids Kite Fly (Forest Park)
Sunday, May 6, 2018 | 10:00 am – noon
Join the Park District of Park Forest for a fun-filled, family-friendly kite fly featuring contests and more! Bring your own kite to join in the festivities. For more information, call (708) 366-7500.

Go Fly a Kite (Wheaton)
Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Each year, more than 1,000 people of all ages flock to Wheaton’s Graf Park to celebrate the arrival of spring with a festive kite fly. The Chicago Fire Kite Team and the Kite Society of Illinois and Wisconsin will offer demonstrations and  lead participants in kite activities. For more information, call (630) 665-4710.

Flying 4 Kids (Wheaton)
Sunday, May 20, 2018 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm 
Join the Westmont Park District at Ty Warner Park for their 6th annual Flying 4 Kids statewide kite fly.  Enjoy demonstrations by the Chicago Kite Club, and check out their impressive kite collection.  At 1:00, kids will be invited to the big “Candy Drop” to collect treats that falls from the kites. Supplies will be available for kids to make their own kites, and concessions will be available for purchase. For more details, call (630) 969.8080.

Frontier Kite Fly Festival (Naperville)
Sunday, June 3, 2018; time TBA  
Bring the whole family to the 12th annual Frontier Kite Fly Festival to check out its gigantic kite display and watch professional stunts and demos. You’ll also enjoy a family kite flying area, plenty of children’s activities to include crafts and jump houses, live music, games, giveaways, and more. For details, keep checking the Park District website, or call (630) 848-5000.

Kite Fest (Elmhurst)
Saturday, August 11, 2018 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Enjoy kite building, a family fun fly, candy drop, and stunts and tricks by professional flyers, all for free.

Kite Flying Events in the Southwestern Suburbs

Family Fun Fly (Frankfort)
Tuesday, March 27 | 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Celebrate “Flying for Kids Month” with the Frankfort Park District at the 13th annual Family Fun Fly. Use your own kite, or borrow one from the Park District.  Admission is free, and all are welcome. Rain date is set for Saturday, April 21 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Main Park. For more information, call (815) 469-9400.

Kite Flying Events in Chicago

Chicago Kids and Kites Festival
Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Don’t miss the 20th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival at Lincoln Park’s Cricket Hill! Enjoy professional kite flying demonstrations and a unique display of oversized and other interesting kites. Admission is free, and free kite kits will be available for children. Kites will also be available for purchase by Chicago Kite. Refreshments will be sold. For last-minute event updates, check Facebook or Twitter or call 3-1-1.

Chicago Botanic Garden Kite Festival
Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, 2018 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Walk, or take a free tram to the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Kite Festival, where you’ll enjoy musical stunt-kite performances by the Chicago Fire Kite Team and the Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois. Bring your own kite for public fly time, or make a kite during the event’s workshop. Sign up for the Kids’ Mad Dash. The first 30 kids to register will receive a kite to build and fly in the competition. The Kite Festival is free, but regular parking fees apply. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more details, call (847) 835-6801.

Brush up on your kite flying skills before attending an event! Visit nationalkite month.org. Then, check out our outdoor events page for even more opportunities to enjoy the sun.