Looking for cheap fun in BloNo? Check out our THIRTY ideas for completely FREE fun in Bloomington - Normal, IL:
1. Visit a playground in Bloomington - Normal
Did you know that Bloomington - Normal is home to about 50 parks? Some have splash pads, some are shady, some have basketball courts or baseball diamonds ... all are fun to explore. Why not visit them all and see if you can find a new favorite? Check out our Bloomington - Normal Park & Playground Guide for a full list.
2. Enjoy a local festival
Bloomington - Normal and the surrounding area are home to several fun festivals that are free to attend. Like most festivals, there is plenty available for purchase such as food, art, locally made items, and more, but the following festivals have no admission cost and are family-friendly.
- Make Music Normal Festival - June in Uptown Normal, IL
- Sugar Creek Arts Festival - July in Uptown Normal, IL
- Lincoln Festival on 66 - July in Downtown Bloomington, IL
- Sweet Corn Blues Festival - August in Uptown Normal, IL
A little further down the road...
- Apple n' Pork Festival - September in Clinton, IL
- Pumpkin Festival - September in Morton, IL
- Balloon Over 66 (art and hot air balloon festival) - August in Lincoln, IL
3. Go to the library!
Both the Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library are great places to visit year-round. In addition to loaning out books, movies, games and other fun and useful items, both libraries host loads of in-person and virtual events that include story times, craft times, anime clubs, writing workshops, lego building opportunities, and more. Best of all - they are free! Find details on each library's website or on our events calendar. Don't forget to sign up for their summer reading programs where you can read books to earn rewards!
4. Listen to a live outdoor concert
BloNo residents love listening to local musicians, which means there are many opportunities to hear them play for free in outdoor settings. Performance times and locations vary, but here are some options for local, free music concerts (click each one to get details on upcoming events):
- Acoustic Irish Music Jam Session at Sugar Grove Nature Center
- Concerts on the Quad at Illinois State University
- Franklin Park Lunchtime Concert Series and Concerts on the Square
- Live @ Uptown Circle and Live @ Connie Link Amphitheatre
5. Take a hike or bike along the Constitution Trail
Did you know that there are 37 miles of trail within Bloomington and Normal? That is 37 miles perfect for exploring. Find trail maps HERE.
6. Go on a mural hunt
Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal are home to many locally created murals. From collages by several artists to images of political figures and themed work, there's so much to see. Grab a camera and see how many you can find. Don't forget to visit Miller Park for the city's newest public art piece -- created by local youth!
7. Learn something new at the McLean County Museum of History
Admission to the Museum is free on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings during the Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market. Before or after you visit be sure to snap a photo sitting beside the infamous statue of President Lincoln. Learn more about the McLean County Museum of History HERE.
8. Cool off at the Spray Park
Spray parks are a fun, free way to cool off during the hot summer months. Here's where to find them in Bloomington (open seven days a week from 9:30am - 8pm) during the warmer months:
- McGraw Spray Park: 3202 Cornelius Drive in Bloomington (off of Airport Rd. behind Central Catholic High School).
- Miller Spray Park: Located in Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave, across from the entrance to Miller Park Zoo.
- Tipton Spray Park 2201 Stone Mountain Blvd (just off of College Ave.) in Bloomington.
9. Dress up for a night at the movie theater
Several times a year, the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department along with the Normal Theater hosts Dress Up Movie Nights. Guests are encouraged to dress up as a favorite character from the movie shown. These family-friendly events are open to the public and free to attend. Find dates and times on their Facebook page or on our events calendar.
10. Visit the dairy cows at Ropp Jersey Cheese
Ropp Jersey Cheese welcomes visitors to walk around and see first-hand how they make their cheese products. Their cheese manufacturing plant has a visitor viewing area, where you will see their cheesemakers hard at work. Take a stroll through the cow barn and visit some happy residents, too! While these activities are free, the items available for purchase in the retail store (such as cheese curds, hand-dipped ice cream, and local raw honey) are delicious -- you'll definitely want to buy some to take home!
11. Forage (and volunteer!) in the Refuge Food Forest
The Refuge Food Forest is a diverse planting of organically grown edible plants mimicking the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. This community space is open to the public and any produce is free to pick. If you enjoy the Food Forest, consider volunteering your time with weeding or harvesting. All ages are welcome.
12. Take your pooch to the dog park
We are lucky to have two great dog parks in Normal, IL to enjoy with our favorite pups. Dog parks are a great place for dogs to play unleashed and meet new friends! Here's where to find them:
- Maxwell Park Dog Park: 1850 Gregory Street, Normal IL
- Shepard Dog Park: 705 Hershey Road, Normal IL
13. Go creek stompin'
Is there anything more fun than donning a pair of rain boots and going stompin' in a creek? What will you find? Some tadpoles or maybe small minnows? Maybe some really cool rocks? Our favorite creek to stomp in can be found at Ewing Park 2 (1001 Ethell Parkway in Bloomington).
14. Head to Alpaca Open Farm Day at Houchin Family Alpacas
A short drive from Bloomington the Houchin Family raises Huacaya Alpacas. Each year in late September they open their farm to the public for Alpaca Open Farm Day. Guests are welcome to join them for many free activities including, getting up close and feeding the alpacas, spinning and felting demonstrations, and learning about raising and owning alpacas. All natural alpaca products are available for purchase as well. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming event information.
15. Take a book or leave a book (or both!) at a Little Free Library
Within Bloomington - Normal there are dozens of Little Free Libraries where anyone can take a new-to-them book, or leave a book for others for free. HERE is where to find them.
16. Play at Safety Town (Camden Park)
Safety Town (located next to Prairieland Elementary School in Carden Park behind Fire Station #3 along Raab Road west of Towanda Avenue) is designed for children to ride bikes in a safe traffic area complete with miniature signs, small-scale roads, and its own play equipment. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the nearby shelter for the perfect afternoon activity.
17. Sign and Sing with Communication Junction
Communication Junction teaches families how to communicate and connect with their children while helping them develop a lifelong love of learning through face-to-face and virtual sign language classes. Unable to sign up for a class but still want to experience the fun? The Normal Public Library Foundations sponsors Sign + Sing story times at the park during the warmer months and indoors at the Normal Library during the colder months. These story times are full of songs, rhymes, and books shared in American Sign Language and are perfect for children ages 0 to 5 along with their caregivers. Find event dates and times on the NPL website or on our events calendar.
18. Head to Downtown Bloomington for First Friday
Every First Friday of the month Downtown Bloomington businesses stay open late as part of themed events, welcoming the public to explore all that the area has to offer. Past themes have included Once Upon a Holiday where local shops decorated their front window displays with holiday decor, Tour de Chocolat where shops offered a variety of chocolate treats, and Hunt for the Golden Egg where shops hid surprise-filled golden eggs for guests to find. While these events and activities are free, you are welcome to support local businesses by making purchases while exploring Downtown. Visit Downtown Bloomington on Facebook for details on upcoming First Friday events along with lists of participating businesses.
19. Play at Day of Play
Day of Play transforms Uptown Normal into a giant playground. Community partners feature interactive, engaging, and exciting play activities that are fun for the whole family. This event takes place in late September. Find more details HERE.
20. Make new friends by joining a Moms' Group
They say it takes a village. Find yours by joining a local Moms' Group. Find a list of them HERE. Know of any we missed? Tell us about them by emailing MelissaA@macaronikid.com and we will add them to the list.
21. Hang out at the Uptown Circle
At the heart of Uptown Normal is Uptown Circle. Cool grown-up facts: this award-winning area (it was awarded the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement for a Civic Place in 2011 and received the 2012 Transportation Planning Excellence Award by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration) not only directs traffic in a safe and efficient manner, but it also acts as an innovative stormwater treatment area. For the kids: it's an awesome place to hang out, enjoy a picnic, listen to music, and splash in the water. On warm summer days, you'll often find kids walking through the water feature cooling off their little toes.
22. Play at Eastland Mall
Across from the food court wing of Eastland Mall, find a play area perfect for the little ones in your family.
23. Let your imagination run wild at Imagination Grove
A short drive from Bloomington-Normal in McLean, IL, you'll find Sugar Grove Nature Center and Imagination Grove. The Nature Center building is free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00am-3:00pm. Here you can see and learn about native fish, turtles, and more. The adjacent grounds, trails, and Imagination Grove are open from dawn until dusk. Wear clothes and shoes that can get messy when visiting Imagination Grove. Here kids can explore nature, make a good 'ol fashioned mud pie, play in the sandbox, take a turn on the zip line, climb into a tree house and search for tadpoles and other critters in the creek.
24. Go sledding
If you're looking for a great sledding hill in Bloomington-Normal for the next big snow, head to one of these spots:
- Highland Park Golf Course: 1613 South Main Street, Bloomington
- Jersey Hill: located on Jersey Avenue off of Towanda Ave in Normal
- Clearwater Park: 2716 Clearwater Ave, Bloomington
- Gregory Street Hill: located just west of Weibring Golf Course (behind the ISU tennis courts) around the area of 800 Gregory Street in Normal.
25. Tour the town for holiday light displays
From Uptown Normal's festively lit-up trees and storefronts to twinkling local home displays (with a few set to music!) ... there's plenty to see! We compile a list every year to make it easy for you. Find last year's list HERE. We will update it as the holiday season rolls around.
26. See the stars with Twin City Amateur Astronomers
The TCAA is McLean County's only public astronomy club. Several times a year the TCAA hosts free public viewing sessions at Sugar Grove Nature Center that includes a 20-30 minute presentation on a featured topic followed by a sky tour using a laser pointer and telescope observing. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming sessions.
27. Explore the ISU Horticulture Center
The Illinois State University Horticulture Center is more than just a beautiful garden. It's a place for horticultural research, learning, and fun in the heart of Illinois State University and McLean county. There is plenty to see (and smell). Take a camera and snap some pictures of all that you find while you visit.
28. Build something at a Home Depot or Lowe's
Have a mini DIY-er in your house? Then sign them up for a Home Depot or Lowe's kids' workshop. These events are free and include easy-to-complete projects. Find Home Depot workshop information HERE (workshops take place the first Saturday of every month from 9am-noon), and Lowe's workshop information HERE. Tip: Sign up as soon as details are posted as they do fill up fast.
29. Go fishing
There are several local lakes in Bloomington that welcome you to fish. They include:
- Miller Park Lake, Bloomington
- Tipton Park Lake, Bloomington
- White Oak Park Lake, Bloomington
- Anglers Lake, Bloomington
Click HERE for regulations and information on the free Learn to Fish Clinics with the Community Outreach and Resource Education Program.
In Normal fishing is welcomed at:
- Blackstone Park: 2508 Fieldstone Ct. in Normal
- Fransen Nature Area: 721 E. Rabb Rd. in Normal
30. Check out the Macaroni KID Bloomington - Normal calendar!
We have all the FREE events we can find on our Macaroni KID Bloomington - Normal events calendar, which is always free to see!
Macaroni Kid Bloomington - Normal is a FREE weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Bloomington - Normal community. We gather together all the details you need on local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-friendly businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, schools, camps, and more. Subscribe for free at bloomington-normal.macaronikid.com/subscribe.
