25 Ideas for FREE Summer Fun in the Chicago Suburbs {During the Week}

Summer is almost here! Time to have some fun planned to break up the days for the kiddos and keep them active! Here are 22 ideas for FREE summer fun in the Chicago suburbs DURING the week!

Free Family Fun Days at Blackberry Farm in Aurora on June 8, June 22, July 6 and August 3.

 Camping 101 at Camp Reinberg, Palatine June 1, 15, 29, July 13, 26, August 10 & 24 6PM-8PM. Learn basic camping skills. 

Swedish Days Geneva: June 21-26, free admission but charges for some activities. However, there are plenty of free activities. Check website for more detailed info. There are activities during theday during the week as opposed to other festivals that may only be evenings on weekdays.

Maker Lab Open Shop at Barrington Area Library June-August on Wednesdays at 2PM. Work on self-guided projects, try out the equipment and ask questions.

 Free Outdoor Concerts for Kids Tuesdays June 14-July 26, 11:30AM-12:15PM (11:00AM-12:15PM if the dance company is scheduled, alternating locations). If you have not been to Naperville, I recommend it. It is a fun place to walk around. Schedule:

             June 14 –Jeanie B.  (Riverwalk Grand Pavilion)

             June 21 – Miss Jamie from the Farm(Frontier Sports Complex)

             June 28 –Super Stolie (Riverwalk Grand Pavilion)

             July 12 – Mary Macaroni’s Music & Magic (Frontier Sports Complex)

             July 19 –Scott Piner (Riverwalk Grand Pavilion) - preshow by Élan Dance            

             July 26 –Istvan & His Imaginary Band(Frontier Sports Complex)- preshow by

                           Elan Dance Company             

Ravinia District Artisans Market on Thursdays at Jens Jensen Park in Highland Park 3PM-8PM June 16-August 18. The Highland Park Public Library will have crafts for kids. Local artisan vendors, food vendors and more. Live music 6PM-8PM. Free admission.

Games Outside the Box at Northbrook Public Library, Tuesdays June 14-July 26 2:30PM-4PM, gamers of all ages invited, learn how to use different programs, games, hardware or toys.
     June 14 Robotics
     June 21 Speed Racers
     June 28 Cup Stacking Challenges
     July 5 Legos
     July 12 Circuits
     July 19 Contraptions/Domino Races
     July 26 Egg Drop Challenge

	Noonie Times at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg Wednesdays 12PM-1PM June 15-July 13. Different entertainment each week; subject to change.              June 15 Cold Blooded Creatures              June 22 Miss Jamie from the Farm              June 29 ScribbleMonster              July 6 Rolie Polie Guacamole              July 13 Andy Head
	Kirk Players Summer Workshops at Mundelein High School Mondays June 6-July 25 (except July 4) 6PM-7PM. Kids will learn basic acting skills, improv and more from               actors. Registration is on June 6 at 5:30PM at the high school. For ages 5-13.

Elmhurst Museums Free Fridays: admission to the Elmhurst Art Museum is free on the first Friday of the month. The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art is free on all Fridays! Admission to the Elmhurst Historical Museum is free every day! Also, check out Wilder Park to run around and have fun!

Free Try it Tuesdays at the Raupp Museum in Buffalo Grove;  Tuesdays June 7-August 9 1:00PM-3:30PM; June 7 butter; June 14 candle; June 21 kite, June 28 braided bracelet; July 5 pinwheel; July 12 veg instrument; July 19 cornhusk doll; July 26 soap boat; August 2 suncatcher; August 9 summer scrapbook.

 Wild Wednesday Nature Walks Wednesdays June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, 10AM-11AM starting at Nature Classroom at Rylko Park in Buffalo Grove. June 8: Bats, June 22: Skunks, July 6: Invasive Species, July 20: Urban Wildlife, August 3: Creek walk.

Summer Kids Club at Golf Mill Mall in Niles: on Tuesdays June 7th-August 9th enjoy special themed activities, performances and crafts from 11AM-1PM, geared towards those 12 and under.

LEGO Americana Roadshow at Northbrook Court June 18-July--see 10 iconic American structures constructed out of LEGOS during mall hours. 

Creation Stations Art in the Park in Arlington Heights; make art while outdoors

              June 25 Heritage Park 11AM-12PM

              June 28 North School Park 12:30PM-1:30PM

              July 9 Pioneer Park 1:00PM-2:00PM

              July 23 Hasbrook Park 1:00PM-2:00PM

              August 6 North School Park 11:00AM-12:00PM

              August 6 Heritage Park 1:00PM-2:00PM

           Touch-a-Truck Wednesday July 13 12PM-1PM, Community Center, Rolling                            Meadows. Explore a variety of cars, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food from                      concession stand. 

Noonie Times in Rolling Meadows, Community Center Park, 12:00PM-1:00PM on 7/21 (Spoon Man) and 8/11 (Cold Blooded Creatures). Bring a picnic or purchase lunch concessions.

Volkening Heritage Farm: The Volkening Heritage Farm is a working German 1880's farm in Schaumburg. You can see a variety of farm activities happening Tuesday-Friday 9AM-2PM and Saturday-Sunday 10AM-4PM. Admission is free unless there is a special event. Next door is the Spring Valley Nature Center for a lovely--and free--prairie hike!

Wagner Farm: Located in Glenview, Wagner Farm is one of the last working dairy farms in Cook County. Interactive farm exhibits and resident farm animals will keep the kiddos busy--for free (except during special events)! Wagner Farm is open M-Sat 9AM-5PM and 9AM-3PM Sun.

The Grove in Glenview is a great place for a hike and the Nature Center is a lot of fun to visit. (My daughter loves the turtles!) For some reason, we always miss the open hours for the buildings in the preserve including the Kennicott House, the schoolhouse, the longhouse and the log cabin. June 17-August 17 the buildings will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 11AM-3PM. The Grove is free, so pack a picnic for a nice day! (Closed July 4.)

Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington is not only a wonderful place to walk but also has a nice nature center with live animals and a nature play area along the trail.

Little Bearfoot Entertainment Series, Gallery Park Ampitheater, Glenview, July 7, 14 & 21 10:30AM-11:30AM. 

     July 7 J-Magic

     July 14 Miss Jamie's Farm

     July 21 Ken Schultz

**visit the splash park at Gallery Park after

Free summer bowling at designated locations at designated times; must register

Use Kids Skate Free to get free roller skating passes for the kiddos!

Library summer reading programs. Check out your library reading programs--they may also have crafts and other activities involved!

****Always check to make sure that event is still being held before going out.****