96 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

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There's a family-friendly festival for everyone this summer in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Last Fling in Naperville

Summer festivals in and near Chicago stretch across over three months of fun, and there's such a head-spinning number of fantastic fetes with so many different themes, cultures, and neighborhoods, it's easy to find a fair or festival near Chicago for everyone in the family. Foodies of all ages will enjoy Taste of Chicago Rogers Park, kids will love getting creative at Mess Fest at the Du Page Children's Museum in Naperville, and we can't even begin to count all the free music festivals happening this summer.

So while your local playground or pool may beckon and your backyard grill may look lonely, you’ve got to sample a street fair or two this summer. Bookmark this list and get your calendar (and comfy shoes) ready. Check out the Chicago Summer Fun Guide for even more great kid and family activities and outings.

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Learn how to land a catch during Kids Fishing Day at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

We are kicking off June this weekend with lots of family-friendly festivals, including the Scarsdale Music Festival, the Tarrytown Craft, Food and Street Fair, and the zany UFO Fair in downtown Pine Bush. This weekend is also the start of Juneteenth celebrations, including the Juneteenth Kickoff Festival at New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club.

Hamptons Pride Parade and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

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Climb aboard a large model of Thomas the Tank Engine at the Long Island Children's Museum this weekend. Photo courtesy LICM

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Pride Month is here and June is coming up rainbows. Meander throughout Connetquot State Park during a rainbow lantern walk or participate in the Hamptons Pride Parade. 

Elsewhere this weekend, have messy fun while getting in some fitness at the Muddy Kids Family Obstacle Mud Run. Plus, the interactive exhibit Our Backyard  opens for the season this weekend at the Long Island Children's Museum.

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island. 

West Cape May Strawberry Fest and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

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Head down to Ort Farm's Strawberry Festival and enjoy animals, pony rides, cow train, food vendors and strawberry picking. Photo courtesy of the farm

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

June is off to a berry tasty start with the kickoff of strawberry-picking season at events like West Cape May Strawberry Festival. Pride Month also debuts at Scotch Plains Pride in the Park. 

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend. 

34 Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2024 in Los Angeles for Families

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Kick off summer fun with carnival rides. Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Summerfest

Fairs and summer festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal tradition. A good festival has something fun for kids of all ages: rides, interesting foods, live music—all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about. 

If your kid is a budding buccaneer, head to the Pirate Invasion Festival in Long Beach; Lego master builders won't want to miss the Brick Fest Live in Pasadena, and art aficionados absolutely need to check out the 40th Annual Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival. There's a summer festival for everyone in your crew!

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids, which includes the best beaches in LA, favorite water parks in SoCal, and everywhere you can jump in a lake in Los Angeles.

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

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The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

Lauren LaRoche's picture Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on

Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

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