Summer is a wonderful time for kids to explore, learn, and have fun. If you're in Chicago, there's no shortage of exciting activities and attractions to keep your children entertained all summer long. Whether they enjoy outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, or educational experiences, this list has something for every young explorer. So grab your sunscreen, put on your adventure hat, and get ready to discover 99 amazing things for kids to do during the summer in Chicago!
Outdoor Adventures
- Visit Millennium Park: Explore the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, splash around in the Crown Fountain, and enjoy live concerts and performances.
- Take a ride on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier: Experience breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.
- Go on a boat tour: Discover Chicago's architecture and history on a guided boat tour along the Chicago River.
- Picnic at Grant Park: Enjoy a relaxing day surrounded by nature in the heart of the city.
- Visit Lincoln Park Zoo: Encounter animals from around the world at this free and family-friendly zoo.
- Explore the Garfield Park Conservatory: Discover the beauty of tropical plants and flowers in this urban oasis.
- Rent a kayak or paddleboard: Head out onto the lake for an adventurous day on the water.
- Go biking along Lakefront Trail: Enjoy scenic views while cycling along the picturesque lakefront.
- Splash around at Maggie Daley Park: Cool off in the park's interactive water features and explore the imaginative playgrounds.
- Take a nature hike at Northerly Island: Observe wildlife, hike scenic trails, and enjoy stunning views of the city.
- Go fishing at Montrose Harbor: Cast a line and try your luck at catching fish in Lake Michigan.
- Play beach volleyball: Head to one of Chicago's beautiful beaches and enjoy a friendly game of volleyball.
- Attend a neighborhood street festival: Experience the vibrant culture and entertainment offered at Chicago's summer festivals.
- Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden: Stroll through beautiful gardens and enjoy nature-themed activities for kids.
Creative Pursuits
- Create sidewalk chalk masterpieces: Let your child's creativity shine with colorful chalk drawings on the sidewalk.
- Join a summer art camp: Enroll your child in an art camp where they can explore various artistic mediums and techniques.
- Make homemade ice cream: Whip up a batch of delicious ice cream together and enjoy the sweet rewards.
- Design and build a kite: Spend a sunny afternoon flying a homemade kite at a local park.
- Try pottery painting: Unleash your child's inner artist by painting pottery at a local ceramics studio.
- Write and illustrate a story: Encourage your child's imagination by creating their own storybook.
- Organize a backyard scavenger hunt: Set up clues and hidden treasures for an exciting adventure right at home.
- Create a family photo album: Compile summer memories into a special photo album that your child can cherish.
- Decorate flower pots: Personalize plain flower pots with paint, stickers, and other creative materials.
- Build a birdhouse: Teach your child about nature and craftsmanship by building a birdhouse together.
- Make homemade playdough: Create different colors and scents of playdough for endless hours of sensory play.
Educational Experiences
- Visit the Field Museum: Explore dinosaurs, ancient artifacts, and natural history exhibits at this renowned museum.
- Go on an architectural walking tour: Discover Chicago's iconic buildings and architectural landmarks.
- Attend a science camp: Engage your child's curiosity with hands-on experiments and scientific exploration.
- Explore the Museum of Science and Industry: Experience interactive exhibits and learn about technology, space, and more.
- Visit the Art Institute of Chicago: Introduce your child to famous works of art and encourage their creativity.
- Attend a theater workshop: Let your child immerse themselves in the world of acting and stagecraft.
- Take a cooking class: Learn new recipes and culinary skills together with your child.
- Visit the Shedd Aquarium: Dive into the world of marine life and get up close to fascinating sea creatures.
- Join a coding camp: Foster your child's interest in technology and coding through fun and educational camps.
- Explore the Adler Planetarium: Discover the wonders of the universe through interactive exhibits and shows.
- Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art: Experience modern art through engaging exhibits and creative activities.
- Join a history camp: Immerse your child in the rich history of Chicago through immersive camps and field trips.
- Participate in a nature workshop: Learn about the environment, conservation, and wildlife in engaging workshops.
Sports and Recreation
- Attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field: Cheer on the Chicago Cubs and enjoy the lively atmosphere of America's favorite pastime.
- Take a tennis lesson: Learn the basics of tennis or improve your skills on the court.
- Join a soccer league: Develop teamwork and sportsmanship skills through playing soccer.
- Try rock climbing: Experience the thrill of scaling walls at a local indoor rock climbing facility.
- Take a swimming class: Enhance water safety and swimming skills with professional lessons.
- Join a gymnastics camp: Tumble, flip, and balance in a gymnastics camp designed for kids.
- Try out skateboarding or rollerblading: Learn tricks and maneuvers at a skate park.
- Join a martial arts class: Discover discipline, self-defense, and physical fitness through martial arts training.
- Play mini golf: Enjoy a family-friendly game of mini golf at one of Chicago's fun-filled courses.
- Join a basketball league: Shoot hoops, practice dribbling, and play basketball with other kids.
- Take a dance class: Learn different dance styles, from ballet to hip-hop, in a creative and energetic environment.
- Try horseback riding: Experience the joy of horseback riding through lessons or guided trail rides.
Community Involvement
- Volunteer at a local food bank: Teach your child about the importance of giving back by volunteering together.
- Organize a neighborhood clean-up day: Rally your neighbors to clean up the local park or streets.
- Participate in a charity run or walk: Support a cause while staying active as a family.
- Start a community garden: Plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs in a shared garden space.
- Donate gently used toys and clothes: Encourage your child to declutter and donate items to those in need.
- Visit a nursing home: Bring joy to elderly residents by spending time with them or performing for them.
- Organize a fundraising event: Plan a bake sale, lemonade stand, or garage sale to raise money for a charitable cause.
- Participate in a beach clean-up: Help keep Chicago's beautiful beaches clean and litter-free.
- Write letters to soldiers: Show appreciation for military service by writing letters to deployed soldiers.
- Create care packages for the homeless: Assemble care packages with essential items and distribute them to those in need.
- Organize a book drive: Collect books and donate them to local schools, libraries, or shelters.
Cultural Experiences
- Visit the Chicago Children's Museum: Engage in interactive exhibits and educational activities designed specifically for children.
- Attend a cultural festival: Explore the diverse cultures of Chicago through food, music, and art.
- Visit the Museum of Mexican Art: Discover Mexican art and culture through exhibitions and workshops.
- Explore Chinatown: Experience the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Chicago's Chinatown.
- Attend a live performance at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Introduce your child to classical music in a world-class venue.
- Visit the National Museum of Mexican History: Learn about Mexican history, traditions, and contributions to Chicago.
- Explore Greektown: Indulge in delicious Greek cuisine and immerse yourself in Greek culture.
- Attend a dance performance: Witness the artistry of ballet, contemporary, or cultural dance performances.
- Visit the DuSable Museum of African American History: Discover the rich heritage and achievements of African Americans.
- Experience a cultural cooking class: Learn to prepare dishes from different cultures and expand your culinary repertoire.
- Attend a storytelling event: Listen to captivating stories from various cultures and traditions.
Technology and Gaming
- Visit the Museum of Broadcast Communications: Explore the history of radio and television broadcasting.
- Join a robotics club: Build and program robots while learning about technology and engineering.
- Visit an arcade: Have a blast playing classic arcade games and modern video game attractions.
- Take a virtual reality adventure: Experience immersive virtual reality games and simulations.
- Attend a gaming convention: Discover the latest trends in gaming and try out new games and consoles.
- Join a coding club: Develop coding skills and create your own games, websites, or apps.
- Visit a tech museum: Explore interactive exhibits showcasing advancements in technology and innovation.
- Participate in a game design workshop: Learn the basics of game design and create your own video game.
- Try out a 3D printing workshop: Learn about the process of 3D printing and create your own designs.
- Build and program a LEGO robot: Engage in hands-on learning through LEGO robotics kits.
Entertainment and Fun
- Watch an outdoor movie: Enjoy a movie under the stars at one of Chicago's outdoor movie screenings.
- Visit an amusement park: Experience thrilling rides, games, and entertainment at a nearby amusement park.
- Attend a magic show: Be dazzled by the tricks and illusions performed by professional magicians.
- Go bowling: Spend a fun-filled day bowling strikes and spares at a local bowling alley.
- Visit an indoor trampoline park: Jump, bounce, and flip to your heart's content on trampolines of all shapes and sizes.
- Attend a circus performance: Marvel at acrobats, jugglers, and aerial artists at a live circus show.
- Go to a water park: Beat the summer heat by sliding down thrilling water slides and splashing in pools.
- Visit an escape room: Solve puzzles and work together as a team to escape a challenging room.
- Go roller skating: Lace up your skates and glide around a roller skating rink.
- Attend a magic workshop: Learn magic tricks and illusions from professional magicians.
- Play laser tag: Engage in exhilarating laser tag battles with friends and family.
- Visit an indoor amusement center: Enjoy arcade games, bumper cars, and mini-golf all under one roof.
- Go to a live theater performance: Watch a play or musical specifically catered to young audiences.
- Have a family game night: Gather your favorite board games and spend quality time playing together.
- Visit a local ice cream shop: Indulge in delicious ice cream treats and savor the flavors of summer.
- Attend a circus workshop: Learn circus skills such as juggling, tightrope walking, and clowning.
- Host a backyard movie night: Set up a screen, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a movie night under the stars.
Chicago offers a wealth of opportunities for kids to make the most of their summer vacation. Whether it's exploring the city's iconic attractions, engaging in creative pursuits, expanding their knowledge through educational experiences, participating in sports and recreation, getting involved in the community, or simply having fun and enjoying entertainment, there's no shortage of activities to keep young ones entertained and engaged. So, pick and choose from this list, and get ready to create unforgettable summer memories in the vibrant city of Chicago!
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