Looking for free things to do this summer in the Chicago suburbs? I’ve got you! From splash pads and nature play spaces to outdoor concerts, murals, zoos, museums, and more, there are so many fun ways to make summer memories without spending a ton of money. In fact, I rounded over 50 free activities to keep you and the kids busy all summer long.
Honestly, some of our favorite family adventures have been completely FREE. Proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an amazing summer.
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Grab the FREE Summer Activities Checklist so you can keep track of all 50 adventures this summer.
Looking for more summer activities? Check out this epic summer list with over 100 things to do around Chicagoland.
Best Free Summer Activities By Interest
Best for Animal Lovers
- Lords Park Zoo
- Busse Woods Elk Pasture
- Crystal Lake Butterfly House
- Danada horses
- Royal Oak Farm petting zoo
Best for Outdoor Adventures
- Fox River Bike Trail
- Volo Bog
- Geocaching
- Disc golf
- Lake Katherine
Best for Little Kids
- Splash pads
- Nature play spaces
- Safety Towns
- Library play areas
- Storytimes
Best for Teens & Tweens
- Ninja parks
- Outdoor concerts
- Cruise nights
- Murals & sculpture parks
- Disc golf
Best Seasonal Events
- Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt
- Umbrellas in the Sky
- Movies in the park
- Farmers markets
- Yoga in the park
Free Libraries, Museums & Reading Programs
Libraries are one of the BEST free resources for summer fun in the suburbs. Beyond books, many offer crafts, exhibits, scavenger hunts, and amazing play spaces.
1. Join a Summer Reading Program
Get your reading on! Many local libraries offer summer reading programs with prizes to encourage the entire family to read all summer long.
2. Explore Library Play Areas & Programs
Libraries offer so much more than books. Many feature amazing play areas, crafts, storytimes, and family-friendly events. Pair a library stop with a nearby playground for an easy free summer day.
3. Borrow a Museum Adventure Pass
Try to visit as many places as you can with the Museum Adventure Pass. Borrow passes from your local library for free admission to participating attractions.
📍 Various suburbs
4. Visit Cantigny Park
Speaking of the Museum Adventure Pass… one of our favorite totally FREE outings is Cantigny Park! Climb tanks, walk through beautiful gardens, visit the free war museum, and dip your toes in the water on a hot summer day.
📍 Wheaton
5. Visit Gail Borden Library’s Exhibits
We always look forward to Gail Borden’s museum-quality exhibits. In past years they’ve featured Wizard of Oz and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This year’s exhibit Earth Matters looks so fun!
📍 Elgin
6. Attend a Free Library Storytime
Storytime is one of our favorite easy summer activities for younger kids. Even better if it’s held somewhere other than the library.
📍 Various suburbs
7. Earn Free Books Through Barnes & Noble Summer Reading
Kids can earn a free book by reading 8 books and completing the summer reading log.
📍 Various suburbs
8. Complete the KDRMA Program
Earn prizes while trying to visit as many participating destinations as possible.
📍 Various suburbs
9. Visit the “gemstone” museum
The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts is free on Wednesdays!
📍 Oak Brook
10. Find a Little Free Library
I love Little Free Libraries! Make sure to bring a stash of books with you on your adventures. There’s one everywhere!
📍 Various locations
11. Learn about McHenry County
On Fridays, the McHenry County Historical Society offers Family Free Day. What a hidden gem it is! There is also an old schoolhouse with tons of interactive elements. On the second Friday of every month is Fridays 4 Tots for ages 2-5.
📍 Union
12. Blackberry Farm Free Museum Days
On select Wednesdays throughout the summer, Illinois residents can visit Blackberry Farm for FREE. This family favorite features historic buildings, a Discovery Barn, Little Farmer’s Junction, and an Adventure Playground for the kids. Want to make a day of it? Ride passes are just $5 per person and include unlimited train rides, paddle boats, carousel rides, wagon rides, and pony rides. Free dates: June 3 & 17; July 1, 15 & 29; August 12
📍 Aurora
Free Animal Encounters & Nature Experiences
Animal lovers will find plenty of free places to explore this summer.
13. Visit Lords Park Zoo
Say hello to the adorable baby bison along with the other animals at this free zoo. Check their schedule for free programs including sloth visits!
Pro Tip: Head across the street to play at their super fun playground.
📍 Elgin
14. See Elk at Busse Woods
One of the coolest hidden gems in the Chicago suburbs.
📍 Elk Grove Village
15. Visit the Crystal Lake Butterfly House
Watch butterflies fly all around you at the Crystal Lake Butterfly House at their Crystal Lake Nature Center. They completely remodeled it and it’s wonderful!
📍 Crystal Lake
16. Visit the Petting Zoo at Royal Oak Farm Orchard
Visit the petting zoo, then let the kids climb the playground structures. Fair warning: you may be tempted to grab baked goods from the bakery afterward and honestly, it’s probably worth it.
📍 Harvard
17. Hike at Danada and See Horses
Take a hike at Danada, then stop by the Sensory Garden in Lisle for a fun horse-themed outing.
📍 Wheaton/Lisle
18. Explore Lake Katherine Nature Center & Gardens
Find waterfalls, easy walking trails, gardens, a nature play area, and even kayaking opportunities at Lake Katherine.
📍 Palos Heights
Free Outdoor Adventures
Get outside and explore nature this summer without spending a dime.
19. Walk Through Volo Bog
What’s a bog anyway? Learn all about this fascinating ecosystem at the nature center, then walk through the bog yourself. Afterwards, step inside the nature center to learn more.
📍 Ingleside
20. Bike the Fox River Bike Trail
Bike the trail and stop at family-friendly favorites like Dairy Queen, Downtown Algonquin (gotta love Towne Park!) and Riverbottom Ice Cream, as well as East Dundee along the way.
21. Try Geocaching
We’ll definitely be spending more time outside this summer and geocaching is a treasure hunt adventure!
22. Complete the “Find Your Wild” Goosechase Missions
The McHenry County Conservation District created a fun scavenger hunt adventure that even includes libraries. Every adventure earns points. Earn enough to get a fun sticker pack! We’ve been doing it for years and look forward to it every summer.
📍 McHenry County
23. Go Fishing
Catch-and-release fishing is available and makes for a relaxing summer afternoon. Try Twin Lakes, the Hollows, Harvard’s Rush Creek, and more!
📍 Palatine
24. Find the “Secret” Waterfall
A fun hidden gem adventure in the suburbs.
📍 South Elgin
25. Try Disc Golf
Besides purchasing a disc, disc golf is basically free! Great family-friendly courses include Fel-Pro RRR, Lippold Park, and Randall Oaks Park.
📍 Cary, Crystal Lake, West Dundee
26. Find the Perfect Sunset Spot
Simple summer magic. One of our favorite spots is Main Beach in Crystal Lake.
📍 Various suburbs
Free Splash Pads & Water Fun
Cool off during hot summer days with these free water activities.
27. Visit a Free Splash Pad
Some favorite FREE splash pads in the NW suburbs include:
- Woods Creek (Crystal Lake)
- Veteran Acres (Crystal Lake)
- Huffman Park (West Dundee)
- Kaper Park (Cary)
- Sunset Park (Lake in the Hills)
- Towne Center Park (Gilberts)
- Fountain Square Park (Elk Grove Village)
- Fort McHenry (McHenry)
- Leiseberg Park (Bartlett)
- Blue Heron Park (Bartlett)
Free Playgrounds & Nature Play Spaces
The Chicago suburbs are packed with incredible playgrounds and imaginative nature play areas.
28. Go on a Playground Crawl
Our goal this summer is to visit at least 20 new-to-us or newly renovated playgrounds. Favorites include Deicke Park, South Ridge Park, Commissioner’s Park, and Burning Bush Park. Find more of our favorite playgrounds here.
29. Explore Wahoo Woods
One of the best nature play spaces around.
📍 East Dundee
30. Visit Chipmunk Woods
Located inside Volo Bog and perfect for little explorers.
📍 Ingleside
31. Play at Prairie Patch
Another fun nature play destination families love.
📍 Wheaton
32. Explore Crabtree Nature Center
A great place for kids to connect with nature. Plus, they have an excellent list of free programs too!
📍 Barrington
33. Visit Heller Nature Center
Perfect for a nature-filled summer afternoon.
📍 Highland Park
34. Explore Kuechmann Kove
Love nature play spaces? Make sure to add the newer Kuechmann Kove to your summer bucket list.
📍 Lake Zurich
35. Practice Biking at a Safety Town
Mini recreated villages and roads make these absolutely adorable for younger kids learning bike safety.
📍 Elmhurst & Hoffman Estates
36. Conquer a Ninja Park
Have a future American Ninja Warrior at home? These ninja parks are perfect for active kids and tweens.
- Presidential Park – Algonquin
- The Ninja Park -Schaumburg
- Heritage Park – Homer Glen
- South Ridge Park – Hoffman Estates
Free Art, Murals & Photo Spots
You don’t need to head into Chicago for beautiful art installations and photo-worthy spots.
37. Explore Sculpture Parks
Who says you need to go into the city for art? The suburbs have amazing FREE sculpture parks including International Sculpture Park, Mount St. Mary’s Sculpture Park, and Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
38. Find Local Murals
There are so many murals hiding throughout the suburbs including fun spots at Mellody Farms.
📍 Vernon Hills and beyond
39. Go on an Art Walk
Explore sculptures and murals throughout Elgin.
📍 Elgin
40. See Umbrellas in the Sky ☀️ Seasonal
This colorful installation is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for photos. Elmhurst is well worth exploring too!
📍 Elmhurst
41. Visit Walton Island Park
One of the prettiest hidden gems for photos.
📍 Elgin
42. Find Your Favorite Bench
Head to Tinley Park’s Benches on the Avenue to find your fav bench. This year’s theme is “Party in the USA!”
📍 Tinley Park
Free Events & Entertainment
Summer in the suburbs is packed with free entertainment.
43. Watch a Movie in the Park
Grab a blanket and watch a movie under the stars.
- Carpentersville has Movies in the Park starting June 12.
- Algonquin Area Public Library is showing Wicked at Towne Park on June 3.
44. Watch Movies for FREE in the Theatre
Wednesdays mornings at the Antioch Theatre are free starting June 3rd. Check out the lineup here.
45. Listen to Free Outdoor Concerts
One of our favorite easy summer night activities.
📍 Various suburbs
46. Explore a Farmers Market
Some farmers markets offer way more than produce with crafts, face painting, live entertainment, and kid-friendly activities. Woodstock Farmers Market and Farmers Market + at the Dole are two of our favorites.
47. Attend a Cruise Night
Love cars? Cruise nights are such a fun way to spend a summer evening. Downtown Cary holds one every Wednesday.
📍 Cary
48. Join the Where’s Waldo Hunt ☀️ July Only
Businesses around Woodstock hide Waldo in their stores each summer. We participated last year and discovered so many new favorite local shops along the way!
49. Free Yoga in the Park ☀️ Seasonal
Get your yoga on outdoors during the summer.
📍 Randall Oaks Park
50. Watch a water ski show ☀️ Seasonal
Head over to Wonder Lake most Fridays where you can watch the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team perform amazing acts all on water skis! The free water ski show has been drawing the community in for ages and it’s a worthwhile way to spend a Friday evening. Plus, there is a small beach area to play in. Read more about it here.
📍 Wonder Lake Beach
51. Build LEGOs
Love LEGOs? Bricks N Minifigs Algonquin is offering free open play times to build. Check out the details here.
📍 Algonquin
Free Indoor Fun
Need a break from the heat? These indoor activities are perfect for summer afternoons.
52. Visit the Play Areas at Local Malls
Need a break from shopping? Let the kids burn energy at indoor play spaces at Woodfield Mall, Hawthorn Mall, or Gurnee Mills.
53. Explore Cabela’s Aquarium & Wildlife Displays
View fish at the aquarium and check out the wildlife displays.
📍 Hoffman Estates
54. Learn Train History at Bartlett Depot Museum
Perfect for train-loving kids.
📍 Bartlett
55. Kids Bowl Free
Sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program and they can play 2 games every day for free. If you need shoes, you can just rent from the facility. We chose Main Event in Hoffman Estates and shoe rental is only $5. Absolutely love this!
📍 Different locations
56. Try out and Play Games for FREE
Love board games? Check out Pieceful Project in Cary to try out new-to-you games. Grab a table and play. While there check out their cool LEGO stock, board games, and Pokemon cards.
📍 Cary
Unique Free Experiences
These are the quirky, memorable adventures that make summer extra fun.
57. Visit the Gemini Giant
See this iconic Route 66 roadside attraction in its new home. Looking to roadtrip Route 66 through Illinois? Here’s our exact itinerary.
📍 Wilmington
58. Explore the Children’s Garden in Elwood
Step into this whimsical hidden gem that feels straight out of a storybook.
📍 Elwood
59. Watch Planes Take Off & Land
We love sitting at the picnic tables near the airport and watching planes land and take off. If you go to Woodscreek Park, planes fly overhead all the time.
📍 Lake in the Hills
60. Paint rocks
Paint rocks and hide them! How fun would these glow in the dark rock painting kit be?
Final Thoughts
Summer fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re exploring a splash pad, hiking through nature, finding murals, or checking out free events, there are so many ways to create unforgettable memories in the Chicago suburbs.
I’ll continue updating this list throughout the summer, so save this post and keep checking back for more free family fun ideas!
FREE PRINTABLE ALERT
Grab the FREE Summer Activities Checklist so you can keep track of all 50 adventures this summer.
