It can get hard to beat the heat during Chicago's summer months, and this weekend is looking to be a scorcher. We know little ones still need to get out of the house, so keep this list handy and you'll keep cool. We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of beaches, pools, splash pads, and indoor air-conditioned things to do to beat the heat in Chicago. From swimming to splashing and all the great local indoor play spaces and museums, this guide has our favorite ways to take a break, cool off, and have fun.

Check out our Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids for more summer activities in Chicago,

Quassy Amusement & Waterpark is one of the oldest and best destinations for kids for some summertime fun. Much loved by everyone, Quassy Park has something for every member of the family from carnival rides, to water play to just playing on the beach. Set on the beautiful shores of Lake Quassapaug, this Connecticut Amusement Park is the perfect spot for a day of family fun! 

For other great places to play, check out our picks for the Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families!

If you want to sleep in the great outdoors, but not necessarily on the ground, consider these resorts for glamping near NYC. This elevated form of camping provides hotel-style perks, plus the kitsch appeal of camping.

Think of glamping as an upgraded version of traditional camping, typically with a larger, canvas tent already set up, often with beds, mattresses, and other creature comforts like picnic tables and grills built into your campsite. Most of these destinations for glamping near New York City are open between May and October and can include everything from bathrooms with running water to hotel-quality linens, kitchens, electricity, and even air conditioning.

These glamping spots in New Jersey, upstate New York, and the Poconos are also packed with family-friendly extras, including pools, playgrounds, hayrides, mini golf, giraffe encounters, movie nights, and we even found one glamping site that's home to a ropes course. Most also host tons of nature activities, like biking, fishing, and even face time with farm animals. Some offer hotel-level features, like on-site restaurants. Read on for our full list of where to go glamping near New York City, and find more ideas for a family-friendly getaway in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

It's Fourth of July week, and while fireworks and parades may dominate the long weekend, kids can also have plenty of patriotic 4th of July fun at home, too. Keep everyone from preschoolers to teenagers entertained with these 4th of July desserts, Independence Day crafts, Fourth of July games, and more. Complement the bangs and whizzes of the holiday with these quieter, craftier Fourth of July activities that many children appreciate more than big booms.

Find more at-home activity ideas in our Boredom Busters for Kids guide, including 100 Awesome Crafts and the Ultimate Summer Bucket List.