You don't have to travel to give your kids the most AMAZING spring break experience. The World's Greatest Spring Break for Kids offers admission and activities to Waterloo's premier cultural, recreation, and arts attractions—for just $1 per child or adult!
The McElroy Trust has sponsored this event since 2010, and over 10,000 people enjoy it each year.
All of the participating venues are conveniently located within six blocks of each other. Free parking is available at each venue, as well as at the centrally located lot across the street from the Veterans Museum, next to the highway. Kids are expected to be accompanied by an adult.
2026 Attractions
Black Hawk Children’s Theatre
Aspiring stars take center stage at the World's Greatest Spring Break Theater.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
11am - Noon & 2pm-3pm Each Day
An hour long theatre immersion experience. Join us to play theatre games, try your Improv skills, and have some creative fun!
Cost is $1 per person.
Cedar Valley Sportsplex
Make a splash in the awesome indoor Sportsplex pool for open swim.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
9-10am, 10:30am-11:30am and Noon-1pm
Cost is $1 for both swimmers and non-swimmers. Each time slot is limited to 100 people.
Children 5 & under must be supervised in the water by someone 16 years or older. Non-swimmers, including those wearing a life vest, will not be permitted in water deeper than their chest unless accompanied by someone 16 or older. Must be 48” to ride the waterslide. Single rider only. For a full list of Sportsplex Pool Rules, please visit: https://cvsportsplex.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CVSP-Pool-Rules.pdf
Grout Museum District
Explore the Grout Museum, Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, and Norris Corson Family Planetarium for just $1!
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
Open 9am-5pm
Theme Days & Spring Break Passport: Complete each day’s themed crafts and activities to get a stamp in your passport. Stamped passports will be entered into a drawing for a prize!
Monday: Road Trip
Tuesday: Puzzles & Secrets
Wednesday: Tall Tales
Thursday: Games Throughout History
Friday: Space Race
Planetarium Showtimes at the Grout Museum ($1 additional): 15 min shows on the hour from 10:30am - 4:30pm each day (all shows for ages 4 and up)
Pop Up Imaginarium ($1 additional): featuring some of our favorites from the old Imag building!
Rensselaer Russell House Museum will be open Tuesday-Thursday with $1 admission.
Cost is $1 per person at Grout and Russell House museums, $1 additional for Planetarium Show (tickets purchased in advance) and Imaginarium Pop Up.
John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum
Learn the heritage and stories of this icon of agriculture
Tuesday, March 17-Friday, March 20
Open 9am - 5pm
John Deere Kids coloring table with coloring pages and stickers
Museum tours and interactive exhibits
Free admission
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum
Check out displays, videos, and more in this interactive experience. Be sure to spend time in the gym, where kids can kick off their shoes and run around on the wrestling mats!
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
Open 10am-4pm each day
Cost is $1 per person.
Phelps Youth Pavilion
Children's museum filled with creative and interactive experiences.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
Open 9am-5pm
Cost $1 per person. Members Free
FB: @WaterlooCenterfortheArts
Insta: @waterloocenterforthearts
Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, Cedar Valley Makers, Hawkeye Community College Automation and Robotics Center, & UNI’s Foundry 4.0 Center
STEM, STEM, STEM! Participate in hands-on activities in the Makerspace constructing fun STEM projects and tour the labs at Hawkeye and UNI.
Wednesday, March 18 10am - 12pm
Free Admission
TechWorks Building, 3rd Floor
Waterloo Public Library
Free book giveaway all week! *While supplies last.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20
Open M-Th 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-5pm
March 19th 1 - 3pm Makefest!
Insta: @waterloopubliclibrary
Waterloo Center for the Arts hosts Hartman Reserve: All About Animals
Learn about animals who call Iowa home from Hartman Reserve Naturalists! Programs will be held in the Waterloo Center for the Arts Town Hall room.
Monday, March 16 at 9am, 11am, 1pm
Free Admission
Young Arena
Take a spin around the ice at Young Arena.
Skate Sessions:
Monday, March 16
12:30 - 1:45pm
3:00 - 4:15pm
Tuesday, March 17
12:30 - 1:45pm ONLY
Wednesday, March 18
12:30 - 1:45pm
3:00 - 4:15pm
Thursday, March 19
12:30 - 1:45pm
3:00 - 4:15pm
Cost is $1 per person (Plus $1 skate rental).
Skating FAQs can be found at https://www.youngarena.com/public-skating/
YWCA
Fun activities are in store at the YWCA! Come and swim during these special family times.
Monday, March 16 - 1:30pm-3pm
Wednesday, March 18 - 1:30–3pm
Friday, March 20 - 1:30–3pm
Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult who is 18 or older. Space is limited to 30 in the pool at a given time.
Cost $1 per person.
Unite Academy
Get on the court and take part in basketball skills and drills with Unite Academy at the Sportsplex!
Tuesday, March 17 10:30am - 12:00pm
For children Kindergarten - 6th Grade. No previous basketball experience necessary. Limited to 50 kids, first come first served.
Free admission