Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids | Mommy Poppins - Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

Photo courtesy of Fiesta Del Sol

70+ Kid-Friendly Summer Festivals Near Chicago

Discover which summer fairs and fests are best for kids.

There are lots of free things to do in Chicago this summer. Photo courtesy of Retro on Roscoe

50+ Free Things To Do in Chicago this Summer with Kids

Keep kids entertained with fun activities that are totally free all summer long.

Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Find a summer camp for every age and interest around Chicagoland!

Millennium Park Summer Film Series photo courtesy of chicago.gov

30+ Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago this Summer with Kids

Pull up a chair or blanket and take in a movie this summer.

Don't miss the Fourth of July fireworks display in Chicago at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Where To See Fourth of July Fireworks in Chicago 2022

See the sparklers fly in one of these Chicago-area fireworks displays.

Cool down with a water balloon fight!

Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids

100 ways to pack more play into your summer day.

Splash pad in Chicago's Mary Bartelme Park. Photo courtesy of Landscape Performance Series

Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Chicago

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.

See spectacular animals in a historic setting at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.

12 Family-Friendly Summer Weekend Getaways near Chicago

From a quaint Swiss town to the water park capital of the world.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Best Free Public Pools in Chicago for Families

Splash into free summer fun at the best public pools for Chicago kids.

Camping at Illinois State Beach Park. Photo courtesy of Illinois State Beach Park.

The 10 Best Campgrounds for Tent Camping near Chicago with Kids

Sleep under the stars at one of these gorgeous campgrounds near Chicago.

Check out these Chicago beaches for summer day trip destinations.

Best Beaches in Chicago for Families

Who says you need an ocean to go to the beach?

Photo courtesy of the Thomson Strawberry Farm, Facebook

Strawberry Picking near Chicago: U-Pick Berry Farms for Chicago Area Families

Pick your own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and even gooseberries at these local farms.

ChiTown Movies is a drive-in movie theater in Chicago. Photo courtesy of ChiTown Futbol, Facebook

Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Chicago for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Head outside and see a movie this summer.

Photo courtesy of the Maggie Daley Park Facebook page

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

In a city of great playgrounds, these are the swings, climbers, and slides that stand out above the...

Get ready to enjoy some mini golf near Chicago this summer! Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park/Facebook

15+ Mini Golf Courses Near Chicago for Kid-Friendly Putt-Putt

Check out our picks for mini golf courses for some outdoor (or indoor!) family fun near Chicago.

Enjoy the sights of Chicago on a Shoreline Sightseeing Cruise.

Best Boat Rides for Chicago Area Families

Choose a speedy ride, sailboat, or relaxing river cruise with these Chicago boat tours.

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City.

Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Fly through the air or walk across a suspension bridge at these parks.

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Chicago has some great summer camps for kids coming up in 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp

20+ Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago

We've rounded up the best day camp options throughout Chicagoland. READ MORE

High school girls interested in computer science are encouraged to apply. Photo courtesy Girls Who Code

Free STEM Summer Camp from Girls Who Code Opens Registration 2023

This FREE summer STEM program for teen girls is now accepting applications. READ MORE

Playing on the Beach in Chicago photo by Don Harder (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

End of Summer Bucket List: 15 Things to Do in Chicago Before School Starts

Just a few more weeks left to maximize summer fun! READ MORE

Paradise Bay Water Park photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District

Keep Cool in a Heat Wave in Chicago: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots

Keep this list handy for the rest of the summer! READ MORE

Seashell crafts are a fun way preserve beach-day memories.

15 Seashell Crafts: Easy Summery Craft Ideas for Kids

Relive those summer beach days with these fun and creative seashell crafts. READ MORE

Make cute and delicious Sleeping Bag Blondies. Photo courtesy of Taste of Home

20 Summer Sleepover Games and Sleepover Snacks

Host the ultimate sleepover with these fun games and yummy snacks. READ MORE

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