Celebrate Mom with one of these fun things to do on Mother's Day in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Odyssey at Navy Pier
Mother’s Day Weekend 2025 in Chicago: Brunches and More Things To Do With Kids
Spring Fun Fest. Event photo courtesy of Parkway Bank Park
Best Things to Do in Chicago May 2025 with Kids
Make this Mother's Day a special celebration!
Chicago Mother’s Day Brunch Guide: Restaurants Moms Will Love
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
GUIDE
Chicago Summer Camp Guide
Check out these spring festivals in Chicago.
Best Spring Festivals in Chicago for Kids and Families
Explore artistic classics at the Chicago Art Institute. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
100 FREE Things to Do In Chicago with Kids
The Indianapolis Children's Museum is one of the nation's best. Photo by Valerie Everett via Flickr 2.0
Best Things to Do with Kids in Indianapolis and Brown County, Indiana
Hello Baby is a free indoor playground in Woodlawn. Photo courtesy of Hello Baby
Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Chicago for Babies & Toddlers
Indoor golf is great for those cold or rainy days in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Scene 75
Indoor Golf Places in Chicago for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids
Thinking of getting your kid's ears pierced? These ear piercing places in Chicago are clean and gentle.
Best Ear Piercing Places in Chicago for Kids
Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp
Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago
Have your indoor birthday party at one of these fun Chicago venues. Photo courtesy of ©LEGOLAND Discovery Centers US LLC
Best Indoor Birthday Party Places in Chicago
Skokie Exploritorium is only $5 for residents. ©Skokie Park District
Best Indoor Playgrounds in Chicago
Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp
Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago
IHOP Pancakes photo by Wendi Gratz via Flickr 2 0
Family-Friendly Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in Chicago
Visit the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago
There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva
Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago
Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
25 Things To Do With Little Kids in Chicago Before They Turn 5
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Tiny Picassos can enjoy different activities every day at the Art Institute’s Family Room. Photo by Maureen Wilkey, for Mommy Poppins
25 Free Things To Do Indoors in Chicago: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
The Persian Lilies in the Aroid house were stunning. Photo by Lisa Warden-3
Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families
St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families
The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up
State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids
The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago
Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg
Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids
Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.
The Ultimate List of Chicago Children's Birthday Party Entertainers and Rentals
Celebrate May the Fourth at Color Factory. Photo courtesy of Color Factory Chicago
Cultural Festivals, Free Comic Book Day, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Chicago

Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for their Summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for their Summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
2/9/25 - By Bonnie Broeren

Looking for free summer camps in Chicago? Look no further—we have a list of affordable and free summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Once again, the time has come for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Do it without breaking the bank with this list of affordable and free summer camp options in Chicago. 

Parents and caregivers should sign up for summer camp as early as possible to take advantage of early-bird discounts offered by most organizations. Also, many summer camps award scholarships or help with financial assistance. If there is a camp your child is interested in, it’s worth checking to see if they offer scholarships and/or financial assistance.

There are tons of different types of Chicago summer camps. Find the right one using our Chicago Summer Camp Guide.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters
After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters

Free Summer Camps and Activities in Chicago

After School Matters

Multiple locations
After School Matters partners with organizations throughout Chicago to provide apprenticeships to high school students in a number of disciplines, from the arts to STEM to sports. Teens can even earn a stipend for their work as they get a glimpse into how their futures might look.  READ MORE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

22 locations
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago's 20 locations offer fun and educational six- to eight-week summer camp programs for kids ages 5-18 that are either affordable or free. Or kids can sign up for Summer Brain Gain, weekly modules to help combat learning loss in a fun and interesting way. Teens can also apply to volunteer to help at Boys & Girls Club summer camps throughout the city. READ MORE

Girls Who Code Chicago

Virtual
Girls Who Code offers a free, 2-week virtual ​introductory computer science ​program ​for​ high school ​girls. Each week, girls​ are introduced to ​computer​ ​science​ principles ​through​ ​real-world​ ​projects in​ ​art​ ​and​ ​storytelling, ​web​ ​development,​ ​and more. ​ READ MORE
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp

Affordable Summer Camps in Chicago

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Multiple locations
The Chicago Park District will offer summer day camps for Chicago residents ages 6-12. Camps will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities with the ideas of civic engagement, environmental awareness, and inclusion woven throughout the camp experience. READ MORE

Camp Naper Summer Day Camp

Naperville
Learn about local history, STEM topics, sports and more with Naper Settlement's weekly day camps. Kids entering grades 1-6 can pick from themes like Blast From the Past, STEM in Space, Around the World, or Pioneer Camp, or choose Camp Everything for a little bit of a lot of different themes. Camps run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and start at $250. READ MORE

Blue Moose Sports Camp

Western Springs and Plainfield
Kids can explore a variety of different sports by signing up for two-hour sessions with Blue Moose Sports Camp. Selecting one, two, or three sessions a day, kids can learn about soccer, badminton, kickball, lacrosse, and more. Each 2-hour session is $100 per week. Full-day campers are limited to 25 kids per week. READ MORE

Camp 1302

Englewood
At CAMP 1302, kids enjoy fun days with crafts, yoga, sports, roller skating, camp fires, games, and more. Meals are included, and the first 50 kids to register get into camp for free! CAMP 1302 has been in partnership with the city’s youth summer employment program, One Summer Chicago, and Catholic Charities.  READ MORE

ROC ED Summer Enrichment Program

South Holland
Avoid summer learning loss with an affordable option from River Oak Community Education & Development Corp. The program features indoor and outdoor activities aimed at learning, character, and physical health. Kids in grades K-8 can sign up for the whole summer or just the weeks they need. Each week costs $125; get 20% off the eight-week program if you pay in full before June 1. READ MORE

Right at School Summer Camps

Various Chicago area schools
Right at School takes place during the summers at dozens of Chicago-area schools. Choose all day camp for $445 a week to go to camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or pick specialty half day camps such as Brick Builders, Masterpiece Makers, and Soccer MVPs. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $220 and up. RAS Camps offer discounts for siblings, military members, school district employees, and kids in the free and reduced lunch programs. READ MORE

Salvation Army Summer Camps Chicago

West Loop
The Salvation Army in Chicago offers day camps for elementary and junior high students in at its West Loop, Morgan Park, Midway, and Norridge locations. Camps include summer favorites like STEM activities, crafts, field trips, and brain games and range from $20-$120 per week depending on location. Before and after care is available outside of the regular 9-3 camp day. READ MORE
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History

Summer Camps in Chicago with Scholarships or Financial Assistance Opportunities

The Field Museum of Natural History

Museum Campus
The Field Museum's Field Explorers Summer Camp offers students in Kindergarten through eigth grade a chance to experience subjects like modern or prehistoric animals, anthropology, the natural world, and scientific illustration in and around the museum's exhibits. Scholarships are available to reduce the cost of camp for qualified students. The deadline for scholarship applications in March 3, 2025. READ MORE

Creativity Camp at Hyde Park Arts Center

Hyde Park
Kids ages four to ten can enroll in these mixed media arts camps to focus their creativity on visual and performing arts. Select a one-week or two-week session of full-day camps. Each session is unique, so kids can sign up for more than one. Campers over age 10 can select a special topics camp, like Ceramics, Stop Motion Animation, or Sketchbook Drawing. Camps are $825 for two weeks or $450 for one week. Need-based scholarships are available. READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Summer Camps

Woodridge, Valparaiso, IN and East Troy, WI
Girls can experience summer camp in the great outdoors at either day camp or overnight camp in Chicago's suburbs and farther afield. Day camps with various themes are offered at Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge, or Girl Scouts can venture overnight for three nights to two weeks at Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, WI, or Valparaiso, IN. Counselor-in-Training programs are also available for teens at Camp Greene Wood. Girls in need can apply for financial assistance. READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Summer Camps

Brookfield
Kids can discover animals and everything that goes on at Brookfield Zoo at half or full-day camps on zoo grounds. The camp offers a variety of ways to connect with nature and animals. Four and five-year olds can register for half-day camp while six and seven year olds have the option of half-day or full-day camp. Camp themes include Zoo Jobs, Habitats, and The Five Senses. Older kids can enjoy full day camps. Scholarships are available for children who need financial assistance. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: