Chicago Parent

Summer in Chicagoland always flies by ☀️🌻 If you’re looking for fresh family-friendly ideas this season, we rounded up some of the best things to do with kids all across the area, from splash pads and festivals to road trips, beaches, ice cream shops and fun weekend outings 🍦💦🚗 Whether your family loves outdoor adventures, trying new food spots or discovering hidden gems close to home, this guide is packed with ideas to help make summer a little easier and a lot more fun. Some highlights include: ✨ Free splash pads and spraygrounds ✨ Kid-friendly festivals and events ✨ Kayaking and outdoor adventures ✨ Family road trip ideas ✨ Indoor fun for hot or rainy days ✨ Chicagoland food spots families will love Perfect for planning weekends, filling summer break days or building your family’s summer bucket list ❤️

If you’re already hearing “What are we doing today?” from the kids every morning 😅☀️ this one’s for you. We pulled together a huge summer fun guide packed with family-friendly things to do all across Chicagoland so parents have one easy place to find ideas all season long 🙌 Inside the guide, you’ll find: 💦 Free splash pads and spraygrounds 🍦 Local ice cream shops worth the stop 🎡 Summer festivals and events 🚗 Family road trip ideas around the Midwest 🌭 Kid-friendly food spots and burgers 🏖️ Beaches, kayaking and outdoor adventures 🏨 Staycation ideas with pools 🦁 Zoo experiences and animal encounters 🎳 Indoor fun for rainy days 🎶 Live music, lantern festivals and more Whether your family loves being outdoors, trying new restaurants, planning little weekend adventures or just finding simple ways to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune, there’s honestly something here for everyone. A lot of these ideas are easy day trips, perfect for spontaneous summer weekends or those random weekdays when you just need to get out of the house and make some memories together ☀️❤️ We also included options for different ages, budgets and interests because every family’s version of summer fun looks a little different. Check the link in the comments to explore the full guide and start building your family’s Chicagoland summer bucket list 🌻🏙️🚙

Chicagoland families, your weekend plans are sorted 🌷 🍫 Long Grove Chocolate Fest 📍 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove Kick off the weekend with chocolate goodies, carnival rides, and live music. 📅 May 15 🧠 Teen Trivia Night 📍 Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr., Tinley Park Gamers in grades 6-12 can put their video game knowledge to the test in a Kahoot trivia challenge. 📅 May 15 ⛺ Family Campout at Emily Oaks 📍 4650 Brummel St., Skokie Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows and sing around the campfire with an outdoor breakfast in the morning. 📅 May 15-16 🪩 The Hula-Hoopin' Queen 📍 Young People's Theatre of Chicago, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Catch a 70-minute family-friendly play about a hula-hoop-loving girl in Harlem learning about community. 📅 May 16 🐐 A Zoo to You: Glenside Petting Zoo 📍 Glenside Library, 25 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights Stop by to meet, pet and feed goats, bunnies, sheep and chickens from Zoos Are Us, Inc. 📅 May 16 🐍 South and Central American Animal Quest 📍 White Oak Library Lockport Branch, 121 E. 8th St., Lockport Meet snakes, lizards, birds and mammals from Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil and beyond at this live animal program. 📅 May 16 🏎️ Soapbox Derby Racing in Naperville 📍 1695 Frontenac Road, Naperville Cheer on young racers ages 7 and up as they zip down the track in gravity-powered soapbox cars. 📅 May 16-17 🎶 Spring Fun Fest at Parkway Bank Park 📍 Parkway Bank Park, Rosemont Enjoy bounce houses, balloon sculptors, face painting, a petting zoo and live music from Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans. 📅 May 16 🏮 Lake Zurich Water Lantern Festival 📍 Lake Zurich Watch thousands of personalized lanterns light up the water with food trucks, live music and a scavenger hunt. 📅 May 16 🌽 Farm Concert at Global Garden 📍 4815 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago Kick off the season at an Albany Park urban farm. 📅 May 16 📖 May Free Day at the American Writers Museum 📍 American Writers Museum, Chicago Enjoy free admission, vintage typewriters, language games and Little Squirrel Storytime at 11:30 a.m. 📅 May 17 Follow @chicagoparent for more weekend fun across Chicagoland 💛

Street fest season is officially here 🎉 The Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair returns to Chicago May 16-17, and it's the perfect way to spend a spring weekend with the family in Lakeview. Hosted by Friends of Lakeview, the fair takes over Lincoln Ave between Roscoe and Melrose with works from nearly 90 local artists and artisans. 🖼️ Think handmade paintings, sculptures, photography, fiber pieces, home décor, jewelry and so much more, all created by talented makers from across the region. It's a great chance to support local while finding something special for your home. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained beyond the shopping. 🎶 Live music plays all weekend long, and you'll find festival food, painting classes, selfie stations and personalized poems throughout the fair. Kids get their own lineup too 🧒 with interactive art activities hosted by local businesses, so they can dig into their own creative side while you browse. Parents, this one's for you 🍺 A curated selection of brews from local favorite Bitter Pops will be available for purchase, making this a true everyone-wins kind of weekend. 📍 Lincoln Ave between Roscoe and Melrose 📅 May 16-17 💵 Admission is free, with a suggested $10 donation that benefits Friends of Lakeview, a nonprofit working to enhance the neighborhood community. Follow @chicagoparent for more local picks the whole family will love 💛

Happy Mother's Day to every incredible mom in the Chicago community! 🌸 You show up every single day with so much love and strength, and we are so grateful for you. From all of us at Chicago Parent, wishing you a day as beautiful as you are. 🩷 #HappyMothersDay #ChicagoMoms #ChicagoParent #MothersDay2026 #ChicagoFamilies

🎉 Looking for fun things to do with kids in Chicagoland this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events happening May 8-10 across the city and suburbs. 🎮 Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue 📍 Chicago 🗓️ May 8-10 Families can step inside the world of Minecraft for an interactive rescue mission through seven themed biomes. 🍿 Family movie night: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants 📍 Glenview 🗓️ May 8 The Glenview Public Library is hosting a free family movie night with concessions included. 🌺 Lilo & Stitch family watch party 📍 Richton Park 🗓️ May 8 Families can enjoy a free big-screen screening of the new live-action Lilo & Stitch movie. 🎉 Parent night out at Urban Air Lincoln Park 📍 Chicago 🗓️ May 8 Kids ages 6-12 can enjoy a supervised night of attractions, pizza and games while parents get a night out. 🧩 Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt 📍 Chicago 🗓️ May 9 Families can explore the Art Institute of Chicago on a Harry Potter-inspired scavenger hunt adventure. 🌍 Family Adventure Club 📍 Glenview 🗓️ May 9 Families can learn about Turkish culture through music, food and activities at Glenview Public Library. 🛍️ Spring Market Faire 📍 Morton Grove 🗓️ May 9 This free indoor market features vendors, raffles, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. 🐢 Mother Nature’s Day at Cosley Zoo 📍 Wheaton 🗓️ May 9 Families can enjoy conservation-themed activities and live animal experiences at the zoo. 🎨 Drop-in Mother’s Day craft 📍 Richton Park 🗓️ May 9 Kids can create a handmade Mother’s Day craft to take home. 🌿 Eat the Parks Mother’s Day walk 📍 Chicago 🗓️ May 10 Families can join a guided foraging walk near Lincoln Park Zoo to discover edible plants and mushrooms. 🦊 Mom and me paint event 📍 Naperville 🗓️ May 10 Moms and kids can paint side-by-side during a Mother’s Day-themed class at Pinot’s Palette. Follow Chicago Parent for more family events, weekend guides and things to do with kids in Chicagoland.

A Reggio-inspired indoor play space on the North Shore where kids can dig into creative, screen-free play -- and parents actually get to relax. ☕🎨 🎟️ Day passes from $21, full-day access with reentry 🎵 Little Notes music classes every Friday 🥪 Food welcome -- just keep it nut-free 🎉 Birthday parties available for up to 20 kids 📍 328 Green Bay Road, Highwood | Weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 🔗 Full article in caption 💬 Would your kids love this?

💐 Mother’s Day is almost here, and Chicagoland families have plenty of ways to celebrate together this year. 🎨 Mother’s Day Painting 📍 Chicago 🗓️ May 10 Families can paint together at Bottle & Bottega with themed Mother’s Day artwork options. 🫖 Mother Daughter Tea 📍 Oakbrook Terrace 🗓️ May 19 Guests can enjoy tea, pastries and floral décor during an elegant afternoon tea at Drury Lane. 🏃 Mother’s Day 5K Run/Walk 📍 Channahon 🗓️ May 10 Families can celebrate with a 5K, kids dash and finisher roses during this annual race event. 🥂 Mother’s Day Brunch at Morton Arboretum 📍 Lisle 🗓️ May 10 Guests can enjoy brunch, live music and beautiful spring views overlooking Meadow Lake. Whether you’re planning brunch, a family outing or a fun activity with the kids, there are plenty of ways to make Mother’s Day special this year. 💕 Follow Chicago Parent for more family guides, seasonal events and things to do with kids in Chicagoland.

🗓️ Here’s everything happening for Chicagoland families this weekend (May 1-3)! From campouts to free festivals and markets, there’s plenty to explore. 👇 ⛺ Campout for Kids at Emily Oaks Nature Center 📅 May 1-2 📍 4650 Brummel St., Skokie Kids ages 8-12 pitch tents, explore after dark, roast marshmallows and play games. 📝 Registration required 💵 $36 resident / $45 nonresident 🕕 6:30 p.m.-10 a.m. 🛍️ Vintage Market Fundraiser 📅 May 1-2 📍 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn Shop vintage and antique finds supporting the Glen Ellyn Historical Society. 🆓 Free admission 🕙 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 🎭 My Teacher Is Marie Antoinette? 📅 May 2 📍 4210 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago Kids’ show about a class run by royal rules. 🎟️ Tickets recommended 💵 $12-$14 🕙 11 a.m.-noon 🪁 Go Fly a Kite 📅 May 2 📍 Graf Park Free event with kite demos, food trucks, vendors and contests. 🆓 No registration required 🌱 Aurora GreenFest 2026 📅 May 2 📍 18 W. Benton St., Aurora Sustainability fest with 100+ vendors, music and activities. 🆓 Free 🕙 10 a.m.-4 p.m. @auroragreenfest 🎮 Family Fun Fest at Ignite Arcade 📅 May 2 📍 8125 Skokie Blvd., Skokie Meet characters, enjoy crafts and arcade fun. 🆓 Admission free; credits extra 🕙 Noon-5 p.m. @ignitegaming 🧪 Little Craft Hub 📅 May 2 📍 Wilmette Public Library Hands-on STEAM crafts for all ages. 🆓 Free; drop-in @wilmettelibrary 🍦 Sweet Stories at Rainbow Cone 📅 May 2 📍 14921 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park Stories and themed activities for kids and caregivers. 🆓 Free 📝 Registration required 🕙 11:30 a.m. @theoriginalrainbowcone 🏛️ Kids Free Day at Chicago Children’s Museum 📅 May 3 📍 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago Kids 17 and under free with exhibits and play spaces. 🆓 Adults $21 🕙 10 a.m.-5 p.m. @chicagochildrensmuseum 🌸 Wicker Park Farmers Market 📅 May 3 📍 Wicker Park Shop produce, baked goods and enjoy family activities. 🆓 Free 🕙 Sundays @wickerpark_farmersmarket 🌷 Create Your Own Spring Planter 📅 May 3 📍 18061 S. Bronk Road, Plainfield Build a custom planter with help from farm staff. 💵 $20 fee + materials 🕙 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 🔗 Find more events at ChicagoParent.com — link in bio!

🎮 If your kids love Minecraft, this one’s a must. The Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is now running in Rosemont through July 5, and it’s as close as it gets to actually stepping inside the game. 🧱 Families move through themed rooms inspired by the game, working together on a mission to save a village by mining resources, building structures, battling mobs like skeletons and creepers and solving puzzles along the way. ⛏️💀 Every guest gets an interactive “Orb of Interaction” device that lights up and vibrates as you explore — making the whole thing feel genuinely immersive. The experience is designed for both longtime Minecraft fans and total beginners, so it works great for families with kids of different ages or parents who have never touched the game. 👾 The experience runs about one hour and tickets are timed, so booking ahead is strongly recommended — weekend slots in particular fill up fast. 🎟️ General admission is $32 and flex tickets are $42. There’s also free on-site parking 🅿️ and a themed Minecraft shop on-site that doesn’t require a ticket, perfect for after the experience. 🛒 Pro tips: dress the kids for movement since they’ll be jumping and climbing, and arrive a few minutes early to get checked in and settled before your time slot starts. 👟 📍 EXP Rosemont, 9900 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont 📅 May 8-July 5, 2026 🕙 Hours vary by day; open most days noon-7 p.m. with extended Friday and Saturday hours. Special Adult Night runs Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. and Family Fun Night runs Thursdays 7-9 p.m. @exp_rosemont 🔗 Read the full guide at ChicagoParent.com — link in bio!

Screen free summer starts here. 🌿🪵🌊 Chicagoland has some incredible nature themed play spaces where kids can dig, climb, build and explore with zero walls or ceilings in sight. From mud kitchens and fort building to willow tunnels and beaver dams, these spots make unplugged summer days feel like a real adventure. Full guide in the comments. 👇 💬 What is your family's favorite nature play space near Chicago?

🎉 Here's what's happening for families in Chicagoland this weekend! 🌷 Blake's In Bloom Tulip Festival Weekdays This weekday festival showcases stunning tulip blooms across the grounds, perfect for a spring outing with the kids. 🗓️ April 25 🐑 Sheep Shearing and Pancake Breakfast at Hess-Hathaway Park 📍 Hess-Hathaway Park This family-friendly farm event features live sheep shearing demonstrations alongside a pancake breakfast. 🗓️ April 25 🥾 Trails Expo at Outdoor Adventure Center 📍 Outdoor Adventure Center This expo connects families with local trail systems, outdoor gear and resources for getting outside together. 🗓️ April 25 🐶 Utica Puppy Parade at Grant Park 📍 Grant Park, Utica This fun community event invites families and their furry friends to parade through the park together. 🗓️ April 25 🌿 Ephemeral Hike at Eddy Discovery Center 📍 Eddy Discovery Center This guided hike focuses on spotting Michigan's rare spring wildflowers before they disappear for the season. 🗓️ April 26 Follow Chicago Parent for more family fun in Chicagoland! 💙