30 Best Things to Do in Chicago August 2023 with Kids
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Looking for things to do this August in Chicago? Here are some great things to do in Chicago with kids.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Looking for things to do this August in Chicago? Here are some great things to do in Chicago with kids.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Get ready to be bowled over by fun at these family-friendly bowling alleys in Chicago and the suburbs. Bowling is a fun activity when Chicago is too hot, cold, or rainy, and these venues are the perfect place to get out of the house for some family fun or throw a bowling birthday party for kids. It's time to strike out and get rolling to some fun times at Chicago's bowling alleys!
If bowling isn't up your alley (pun intended), check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
There's no shortage of mini golf near Chicago—and putt putt might just be one of the better summer and fall activities for kids. It offers a chance for some physical activity and a bit of fresh air. These 17 Chicago mini golf courses are fun for kids and adults alike, combining skill and luck for a friendly competition among family members. We've also included indoor putt putt in Chicago for inclement weather, so those are always a solid backup plan (or primary plan!).
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Do you have a kid who knows what house the sorting hat would place them in and could identify a blast-ended skrewt or a mandrake? If so, you might want to take them to visit Harry Potter: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place. The pop-up experience has extended its stay in Chicago through Labor Day weekend, giving kids plenty of chances to check it out before school starts again. Explore the magical wizarding world to ignite your kids' imaginations and encourage reading and story-telling over the summer break.
Harry Potter: Magic at Play is the perfect Indoor Activity for a rainy day or bad air quality day. Here's what to expect from the experience.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Ready to hit the water? Families can celebrate the season by boarding a variety of boats on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Some may even want to venture further west for an old-fashioned river boat ride on the Fox River in St. Charles or a kid-powered paddle boat ride along the Naperville Riverwalk. A wide variety of boat rides are available for enjoying the water throughout the city and suburbs.
Check out some of our favorite boat rides near downtown Chicago and beyond. Families who are interested in relaxing dinner cruises, adventurous sailing, or architecture are sure to find something here that floats their boat.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Classes and camps are a big part of growing up for many kids. They are fun, enriching, and provide parents with some much-needed alone time on weekends or during school breaks. But as every parent knows, the cost of camps and classes can add up quickly.
Luckily, not every class your kid takes has to cost an arm and a leg. Many national chain stores offer fun and free camps and classes for kids that will teach them something new and show them a great time. These include cooking classes, coding and tech lessons, arts and crafts workshops, and more.
Here are 11 nationwide chain stores that offer free classes and camps to help fill kids' schedules without breaking the bank—even if your child does ask you to buy something while you're there! Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids and our Summer Camp Guide for even more fun ways to fill your kids' days.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
July in Chicago is a great month for all things outdoors, kicking off with fireworks and continuing with movies, concerts, street festivals, and more! In addition to fireworks downtown and in the suburbs, you can taste Chicago, Lincoln Avenue, or Oak Brook. Celebrate different cultures at the World Music Festival in Highland Park, or International Festival of Life in Washington Park. Or, listen to music along the Mag Mile or at Brookfield Zoo.
Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Not sure what to do with the kids this Fourth of July weekend in Chicago? We've rounded up tons of events this weekend, including fireworks, parades, festivals, and carnivals for patriots of all sizes! And plenty of the things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend are perfect for littles who can't stay up late enough to see fireworks: Kids can enjoy parades in Hyde Park, Hinsdale, or Arlington Heights; concerts in Rosemont, Grant Park or Cantigny Park; or festivals in Washington Park or Oak Brook.
Beat the heat this weekend in Chicago at one of the best free public pools or lakeside beaches. Or get out of town for the Fourth of July weekend with a Chicago-area day trip, by staying at a local campground, or discovering one of the best children's museums in the country.
Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach towel. Plus, each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook page!