little girl with dandelion

2025 Head Start Awareness Month

Celebrating 60 Years of Love, Learning, & Lifting Up Families

In partnership with Illinois children’s museums, IHSA is hosting Head Start Days all October. Free admission for Head Start and Early Head Start families, staff and their families, on designated days.
  • Make a birthday crown.
  • Explore hands-on exhibits together.
  • Send a 60th birthday message.

Who Can Attend?

Head Start/Early Head Start families and HS/EHS staff (and their families) on designated days.

Across Illinois

Events hosted by partner children's museums. Each site handles its own check-in and capacity

Capacity & Access

First-come, first-served at each museum. Some sites require registration, othes are walk-in.

Head Start Days Schedule

October 1 - 31

Everyday in October!

Quincy, IL

See your HS/EHS Staff

for a Free Pass

October 1 - 31

Everyday in October!

Waukegan, IL

No registration required! Check website for times.

Saturday, October 4

9 am - 4 pm

Peoria, IL

Register Here

October 5, 12, 19, & 26

Every Sunday in October!




     

Springfield, IL

Register Here

Thursday, October 9

4:30 pm - 7:30 pm



Naperville, IL

Register Here

Thursday, October 9,
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 11,
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Register Here

Oak Lawn, IL

Promo Code: IHSA25

Saturday, October 11

9:30 am - 2:30 pm

    

Edwardsville, IL

Register Here

Sunday, October 19

10:00 am - 5:00 pm


Chicago, IL 

Register Here

Thursday, October 23

4:00 pm - 7:00pm

Freeport, IL

Register Here

Thursday, October 23

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  



Normal, IL

See your HS/EHS Staff

to sign up!

Thursday, October 23

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Carbondale, IL

Register Here

October 23 - 31

Monday - 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Thu/Fri/Sat 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Sunday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Oak Park, IL

Register Here

Saturday, October 25

9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Glenview, IL

Register Here

Sunday, October 26

Noon - 5:00pm

Decatur, IL

Register Here

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Due to capacity, admittance will be based on first come, first served registration sign-up.
  • For currently enrolled Head Start and Early Head Start students and their families. As well as currently employed Head Start and Early Head Start staff and their families.
  • Visit one, visit all! Head Start and Early Head Start families and staff are eligible and encouraged to visit any of the participating childrens museum on designated Head Start Days.