Finding things to do in August is trickyβmy mom brain is already jumping into back-to-school mode, but my kids are still in a full-on summer mindset. Fortunately, this month is full of local events and activities. Maximize your family fun by checking out this list of 31 ideas to help you enjoy the rest of summer with your family!
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Tuesday, August 1: National Night Out
National Night Out, which aims to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities where they work, is on August 1, 2023. Check out the events calendar to find a NNO event near you.
Wednesday, August 2: Outdoor Concert
Enjoy the music at a local outdoor concert! Our list of local summer concerts has a ton of options for you to choose from, including Dancinβ in the Street (Clarendon Hills), Summer Entertainment Series (Lisle), and Summer Concert Series (Woodridge).
Thursday, August 3: Storytime
Check out a local storytime today! You’ve got your pick of events like Family Storytime at Liberty Park in Hanover Park, Stories in the Forest in River Forest, Storytime at the Caboose in Batavia, or Stories at Palatine Park District.
Friday, August 4: Movie in the Park
Catch a movie in the park for a fun Friday night outing. Take your pick of Movies in the Park in Des Plaines, Movies and Food Trucks in Geneva, Movie in the Park in Elmhurst, or Movie in the Park in Franklin Park.
Saturday, August 5: Touch-a-Truck
Truck lovers rejoice! Today’s got Big Trucks (Barrington), Touch a Truck (Addison), and Touch-A-Truck (Streamwood). Check out the full list of touch-a-truck events for other date options, too.
Sunday, August 6: Blueberry Festival
The Blueberry Festival at Windy Acres Farm in Geneva is going on this weekend and next. If you didn’t make it out blueberry picking this season, this is a great way to enjoy a taste of local produce.
Monday, August 7: Car Show
Have you gone to a car show yet this summer? Cruisin into Lockport and Cruise Nights at the Sonic Drive-In are both going on this night.
Tuesday, August 8: Kidlist Park Playdate #2
We want to see you at the Kidlist Park Playdate today! Our second playdate of the summer is at Spring Rock Park in Western Springs from 3 – 4:30pm on August 8. The first one was so unbelievably fun, and we can’t wait for this next one. Free entertainment, snacks, and more.
Wednesday, August 9: TMNT Sensory-Friendly Screening
Hollywood Blvd is partnering with GiGi’s Playhouse to offer a $5 sensory-friendly screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on August 9. The lights will be up, the sound will be down, and everyone can move around freely.
Thursday, August 10: LEGO Play
Got a LEGO-loving kid? The Massive Lego Play event at the Downers Grove Public Library looks like a great time; they’re bringing their entire collection out to play.
Friday, August 11: Back-to-School Party
Back-to-school celebrations abound, including the Back-to-School Event at Geneva Commons, the Back To School Party In The Park at Walker Park in Burr Ridge, and the Back to School Movie in the Park at the Bensenville Village Hall.
Saturday, August 12: Taste of Bolingbrook
Taste of Bolingbrook is going on at the Bolingbrook Promenade, featuring a free Family Fun Zone.
Sunday, August 13: India Day Parade and Celebration
Come celebrate in Naperville with the India Day Parade and Celebration at Rotary Hill near the Riverwalk!
Monday, August 14: Back to School Bubbles
Come make giant bubbles at the Back to School Bubbles event outside the Wheaton Library, held on the West Plaza on the side near Adams Park.
Tuesday, August 15: Museum Free Days
Check out a museum free day while the crowds are a bit lower with some schools in session. The Chicago History Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art are free today!
Wednesday, August 16: More Free Day Fun
Keep the free day fun going at Blackberry Farm Free Museum Days, Chicago History Museum Illinois Resident Free Day, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art Museum Free Day, DuSable Museum of African American History Free Days, and Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Free Days. So much to choose from today!
Thursday, August 17: Sunflower Field
August is a great month for exploring a sunflower field. Check with the destination you have in mind to be sure that blooms are available.
Friday, August 18: Carnival
Taste of Glen Ellyn and Carnival, SJC Fest in Western Springs, and Montgomery Fest are all happening this weekend. Our summer festival guide has options for other dates, too.
Saturday, August 19: Water Park Trip
While most water parks will be closed during the week at this point in the summer, many will open on weekends until Labor Day if weather permits.
Sunday, August 20: Chicago Air and Water Show
The Chicago Air and Water Show is a yearly favorite with incredible displays over lake Michigan. Just be prepared for crowds!
Monday, August 21: Sing 2 at Studio Movie Grill
While most of the summer movie deals will have ended by this point, Studio Movie Grill will still be showing kids’ movies. August 14-17 it’s Sing 2; August 21-24 is Spirit Untamed. Tickets are $6 and include popcorn and a small drink.
Tuesday, August 22: WARHOL
Check out the family-friendly area of Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on the College of DuPage (COD) campus. Annie’s got a great review of the Warhol exhibit and its kid-friendly components, as well as other Warhol celebrations happening in the suburbs. Find ticket information here.
Wednesday, August 23: Lizzadro Museum Free Day
Did you know the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art is free on Wednesdays? Check out my Lizzadro review for tips on taking kids to this local gem.
Thursday, August 24: Morton Arboretum’s Acorn Express
Hop aboard the Acorn Express for a 45-minute program with a tram ride to activities, crafts, and hiking destinations at the Arboretum. Recommended for families with kids 2+. Buy tickets on-site in addition to admission or membership.
Friday, August 25: Hiking
Late summer is a great time to go hiking, with temperatures usually cooling down and change in the air before autumn. Our list of forest preserve trails for families has ideas for easier hikes that to get the kids out and about in the great outdoors.
Saturday, August 26: Kidlist Park Playdate #3
Head to the new Soehrman Park playground in Countryside for the final Kidlist park playdate of the summer! Find all the details on entertainers, local businesses offering activities, and more fun here.
Sunday, August 27: Art Festival
Explore a local art festival. Options for this day include The Forge Art Walk in Lemont, Festival of the Arts in Glen Ellyn, A Walk In The Park Summer Art Fair in Arlington Heights, Port Clinton Art Festival in Highland Park, and Art in the Garden at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Monday, August 28: Museum of Science and Industry Free Day
Head downtown for the MSI Free Admission Day and explore this super-cool science museum without the ticket price.
Tuesday, August 29: Preschool Open Gym
If the big kids are back in school, take the little ones to an open gym. Tuesdays are a popular day for local gyms to invite preschoolers to play. Check out our open gym list to find times near you, then double-check hours with the gym before you go.
Wednesday, August 30: Helen Plum Library
This will be a great day to check out the new Helen Plum Library in Lombard, whether you want to drop-in at the morning’s kiddie obstacle course event for ages 2-5 or go between 3pm and 5pm for Family Tech Play.
Thursday, August 31: Farmers Market
August may be coming to a close, but most of the outdoor farmers markets will continue for at least a couple more weeks . . . and you’ll likely find them less crowded than summer weekend markets. The Clarendon Hills Farmers Market and the La Grange Farmers Market should both be up and running during the day, and Thursday Night Street Markets will be wrapping up for the season in Bolingbrook in the evening.
If you want more options for a specific date in August, our Events Calendar is an incredible, searchable resource. Check it out!
2 Comments. Leave new
There is a closer kite festival on 8/11. Elmhurst Kite Fest in Behrens Park from 11am-2pm. Food trucks also will be on site so families can have a picnic lunch.
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