Outdoor movie night photo courtesy of Canva

Spring Festivals, Outdoor Movies, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend with Kids

Lilac Time in Lombard. Photo credit: Canva

23 Best Things to Do in Chicago May 2024 with Kids

People enjoying the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr

Visiting the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Catch all three seasons of Bluey–plus the show’s biggest episode ever–right now on Disney+.

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Best Bluey Episodes, Themed Snacks and Games for a Memorable Family Night In

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

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Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Flyover Chicago: Experience the City from Navy Pier

Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival

35 Spring Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm, Facebook

12 Animal Encounters and Petting Zoos Near Chicago

Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem

Best Summer Camps for Teens in Chicago

The lion cubs; Pesho, Lomelok and Sidai! Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

What's New at Chicago Zoos: Cute Cubs and a Primate Forest at the Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos

Kids at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield. Photo by Maureen Wilkey for Mommy Poppins

Springfield with Kids: Best Things to Do in Springfield, IL

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Three boys having fun at an arcade. Photo courtesy of Laser X in Addison

Top Spots for Laser Tag and Paintball Fun for Kids in Chicago

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

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

Rides, a children's museum, and more on Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Things to Do with Kids on Navy Pier in Chicago

Ride high on Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America.

The Best Amusement Parks Near Chicago for Families

Birthday Party fun! Photo courtesy of POW! Gym

The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids

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

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 in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

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Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Butterfield Park is one of several great outdoor spots in Elmhurst. Photo courtesy of the Elmhurst Park District

Elmhurst with Kids: The Best Things to Do in Elmhurst, Illinois

Visiting Starved Rock State Park With Kids: Things To Do, Places To Stay, and More

Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.

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Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago

Adler Planetarium photo by Chris Rycroft via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School

Best Swim Schools and Swimming Lessons in Chicago for Kids

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

Checking out CAMP's new immersive experience in Chicago. Photo by Maureen Wilkey for Mommy Poppins

Doodles X CAMP: Chicago's Exciting New Immersive Experience for Kids

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

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

Try one of these Chicago salons for baby's first haircut. Photo courtesy of My Kids Place

Best Places for Kids Haircuts in Chicago For Baby or Toddler’s First Cut

Enjoy a kid-friendly tube fest at Sunburst Ski Hill. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Ski Hill

Best Places for Snow Tubing Near Chicago for Families

Hit the spa with your kid for a spa party in Chicago. Photo by Lisa Gagne for Canva

Kid-Friendly Spas and Kid Spa Parties in Chicago

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Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids

Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Old Town with Kids: What to Do Just North of Downtown Chicago with Kids

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

Climb and play all day no matter the weather, at Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place

Best Indoor Playgrounds in Chicago for Kids

Have some fun in the water even in the winter at one of these indoor water parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Kalahari Resort

Best Indoor Water Parks Near Chicago

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

25 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook

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Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids

There are many popular bar and bat mitzvah venues in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes

Top Bat and Bar Mitzvah Venues in Chicago

Family-friendly and voted one of the top 5 escape rooms in the USA! Photo courtesy of Escape Factor in Forest Park

Best Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Chicago

Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids

Take pregnancy classes from a birth center or doula if you choose. Photo courtesy of Chicago Family Doulas

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Chicago

Cooking classes for kids in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Kid's Table

Cooking Classes for Kids in Chicago: A Baker's Dozen of the Best Culinary Experiences in the City and Suburbs

Bright Horizons operates more than 1,000 nurturing, enriching, and convenient early education centers across the globe.

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How to Find the Right Chicago Daycare or Preschool for Your Kid

Birthday parties at these indoor skydiving venues include a flight class, two flights per guest, and party room time. Photo courtesy of iFly

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Chicago: 18 Cool Party Places for Teens

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do

The Zoo is one of the best things to do with kids in Lincoln Park. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Things to Do in Chicago's Lincoln Park Neighborhood with Kids

John G Shedd Aquarium photo by Ajay Suresh via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Best Things to See and Do at the Shedd Aquarium with Kids

Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.

10 Kid-Friendly Hotels in Chicago for a Family Vacation

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

There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago

Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook

Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop

Chicago's museums are some of the top attractions in the city. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Top Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do With Kids

Semicolon is a Black-owned bookstore in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Semicolon

Black-Owned Businesses to Discover in Chicago

Kids will have a hard time deciding between all the delicious treats at Dinkel's, the 100 year old Bavarian bakery

Favorite Things To Do with Kids in Roscoe Village and North Center

The iconic ConAgra mural in Chicago, created by artist Jeff Zimmermann, is visible from the 606 elevated Bloomingdale Trail. Photo courtesy of jazim.com

Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids in Bucktown and Wicker Park

Spectacular city views of the Chicago Skyline in River North. Photo courtesy of Wendella Boat Tours.

The Best Things to Do In Chicago's River North and Gold Coast Neighborhoods with Kids

The Field Museum is home to some of the country's most complete dinosaur skeletons.

The Land Before Time: How to Do Chicago's Field Museum with Kids

Calling all Chicago Cubs fans! Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

Things To Do in Wrigleyville with Kids

The Best Zoos and Aquariums for Chicago Kids

Take your little one for a splash in the Crown Fountain. Photo by Sandor Weisz

19 Things To Do with Chicago Babies Before They Turn One

Dad and son having fun at the auto show. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show

Presidents Day 2024: 19 Things To Do In Chicago With Kids

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Winter Activities Guide for Chicago Kids

Delight in an outdoor rink across Chicago. The Skating Ribbon is a popular destination. Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park

33 Things To Do in Chicago This Winter with Kids

Two girls at the art museum. Photo courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Spring Break 2024: 39 Fun Things To Do in Chicago

Eclipse photo by Andrew Shirey. Courtesy of the National Park Service

20 Fun and FREE Things To Do in Chicago April 2024 With Kids

Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2024 in Boston for Families

Put your hands together for family fun and the best summer festivals and fairs in Boston for 2024! Photo courtesy of Harborfest

5/17/24 - By N Ferreira

Boston's summer festivals and fairs bring games, treats, and entertainment—all in the fresh air with the whole family having fun. Whether you get excited about parades or sand sculptures, delicious food, or art activities for your little ones, the festive events here are all super family-friendly and make for a memorable summer outing. Read on for our picks for the best summer festivals and fairs for Boston kids and families.

Looking for even more seasonal fun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide for all the best ways to have a blast, stay cool, and rock school vacations! And check our events calendar often; we're always adding more activities in and around Boston. If you're in the mood for something a little more laid-back, see our guide to Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Boston for Outdoor Movie Night With Kids.