Grab your ride tickets and get ready to enjoy an outdoor amusement park! The Chicagoland area has some great spots for kids to make summer memories. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for the fastest coaster or a sports enthusiast looking to spend the day at the batting cages, there are attractions for every interest.
We rounded up some of the best outdoor amusement parks in the area. Be sure to check the park website before you go for special events, pricing, and hours.
Before You Choose an Outdoor Amusement Park
- Smaller parks are often more fun for younger kids than big theme parks
- Pay-as-you-play works better for short visits
- Big parks can be overwhelming in summer heat
- Height requirements matter more than age
Grady’s Family Fun Park
1501 Morrissey Drive
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 662-3332
This amusement park is family owned and operated. The park offers a wide range of attractions for all ages: there are 10 kiddie rides, 8 adult rides, bumper boats, bumper cars, mini-golf, batting cages, and one of the most popular attractions – NASCAR-themed go-karts.
See the website for pricing and hours.
Kidlist Tip: Check this page for age and height requirements for kiddie rides and whether you are allowed to ride with your child or not.
Haunted Trails Burbank
7759 Harlem Avenue
Burbank, IL 60459
(708) 598-8580
Hailed as the year-round “Halloween experience,” Haunted Trails is a not-so-scary themed park. The outdoor park offers mini-golf, go-karts, jr. go-karts, batting cages, and a few other small rides. Inside is an arcade arena with over 100 games and a Lazer Frenzy room. Admission and parking are free, but all attractions are pay-as-you-play. On Wednesdays, all games are half-priced after 3pm. Check their website for specials, hours, and planning a special event.
Kidlist Tip: Haunted Trails Burbank is affiliated with both Haunted Trails Joliet and the Enchanted Castle indoor entertainment center in Lombard. You can redeem points for prizes at any of their locations.
Haunted Trails Joliet
1423 N. Broadway Street (Route 53)
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 722-7800
This park has 14 acres of family fun. The Joliet location offers similar attractions to the Burbank location, with the addition of an escape room that opened in 2022, a speedway, tornado ride, and laser tag. Admission and parking are free, but all attractions are pay-as-you-play. Wednesdays are half-price after 3pm at this location, too. Check their website for current specials, their hours and about planning a special event.
Kidlist Tip: Haunted Trails Joliet is affiliated with both Haunted Trails Burbank and Enchanted Castle in Lombard. You can redeem points for prizes at any of their locations.
In The Game Hollywood Park
5051 Cal Sag Road
Crestwood, IL 60445
(708) 389-7275
This park offers as much fun outside as it does inside! The outdoor attractions include a mini-golf course, a giant slide, Himalaya, and a go-kart track. Indoors, there is a two-story arcade, mini-bowling, bumper cars, virtual reality area, and a ropes course for kids under 48″. Enjoy 50/50 Fridays where arcade games are half price all day.
Admission and parking are free. Attractions are individually priced; play cards are available. Outdoor attractions hours vary by season. See their website for hours.
Odyssey Fun World
19111 Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 429-3800
In addition to an indoor arcade, laser tag, gamer area, bumper cars, a 4-story play structure, and a roller coaster, this amusement park also offers outdoor fun including bumper boats, batting cages, mini-golf, go-karts, inflatables and more.
Check the home page for hours, special events, and pricing information.
Pirates’ Cove
901 Leicester Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 439-2683
Recommended for ages 1-9, Pirates’ Cove offers pirate-themed paddle boats, a carousel, Castle of Camelot playground, a bounce house, a giant slide, a 20-foot climbing wall, a pirate ship ride, and the Safari Express train.
All attractions are included with admission. Follow their Facebook page for up to date information.
Kidlist Tip: This park is a perfect place to introduce your child to amusement parks with a manageable layout and design and without the typical long theme park lines.
Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park
601 Dundee Avenue
East Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 426-6751
This is a huge park which offers more than two dozen rides specifically designed for the under 10 crowd, lots of animals and animal encounters throughout the park, and… of course… SANTA!
The park is open May through October; during warm summer months, admission includes the water park. Check the Santa Springs website for hours and operating schedule.
Kidlist Tip: Buy tickets online ahead of time. Children under 36″ are admitted free.
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-1776
Six Flags is the biggest outdoor amusement park in Illinois, with dozens of rides and roller coasters; combined with Hurricane Harbor waterpark, it could easily be a weekend getaway for the whole family. The park boasts more than a dozen roller coasters, children’s area, parades, shows, and sometimes fireworks. Check ticket prices as well as information on annual passes if you plan to go frequently.
Hurricane Harbor is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Check the website for daily hours and operating schedule for both parks.
Kidlist Tip: Six Flags only accepts credit cards, but does have some cash-to-card kiosks.
Sonny Acres Farm
29W310 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL, 60185
(630) 231-3859
Situated on a farm setting, Sonny Acres Farm offers the Kiddie Korral with a giant spider web, bounce houses, and a playground as well as various amusements including a bee ride, the Wacky Worm roller coaster, apple worm ride, sheep ride, giant swing, tilt-a-whirl, frog hopper, and a train ride. There is also a giant jumping pillow, giant slide and a self-feed zoo. Check their website for hours and operating schedule. Wristbands can be purchased for the attractions and various pricing options are available.
Kidlist Tip: Kids must be 31″ and taller to ride the amusement attractions. Also, please note that no outside food or beverages are permitted.
If you’re already thinking ahead to fall festivals, Sonny Acres Farm has a fun fall festival every year too!
Sugar Grove Family Fun Center
9S. 825 State Route 47
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
(630) 466-3866
This amusement park in Kane County include two go-kart tracks, mini-golf, bumper boats, water wars, an indoor game room, a lighted golf range, and more. Check the website for attraction pricing.
If you’re deciding between two parks, think about how long you want to stay and how old your kids are. We’ve found that matters more than ride count. You can find more ideas for summer fun in our Summer Guide!
