70 Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: June 2-4

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Events

We spy a common theme in our list of things to do with kids this weekend, and it includes one of our favorite family-friendly places to visit: libraries! A visit to the library is filled with storytimes, craft sessions, tinkering activities, and countless other ways to make learning fun. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to look into your local library’s summer reading program, where families track their reading to earn prizes. Many libraries throughout the western and northwestern suburbs are hosting their Summer Reading Program kickoff parties this weekend, like the Summer Reading Juggling Jamboree at Nichols Library in Naperville or Palatine Public Library’s Kick-off Party.

Looking for a new library to explore? Save our list of the 10 Best Children’s Libraries for rainy days or when the temperatures start to creep into the uncomfortable range.

This weekend planner is sponsored by Cosley Zoo and the featured listings.

Run for the Cosley Zoo Animals on June 3!

Animal lovers of all ages, lace up your running shoes! The Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals is coming to downtown Wheaton on Saturday, June 3.

The race is actually three races in one: a 5K, a 10K that both start at 7:30 a.m. and a race especially for kids that is a half-mile long and begins at 8:45 a.m. You can even participate in a virtual race if you’d prefer. All registrants receive a finisher’s medal and t-shirt.

It all starts in Memorial Park at 225 Karlskoga Avenue, in the center of the city.

Hosted by the Cosley Foundation, the race raises funds for exhibit development, education programs, and conservation projects at Cosley Zoo.

Registration is open at cosleyzoo.org. So get ready to cross that finish line and help the animals at Cosley Zoo!

Please check the details before you go to these events to ensure you know about registration requirements and additional safety measures to maximize your family’s fun. While we do our best to keep the most up-to-date information in our calendar, last minute location or time changes do happen. Want to find “weekend events near me”? We have you covered!

Things to Do with Kids This Weekend:
Western Suburbs

Friday

Visit Wonder Works Children’s Museum for late hours at their Summer First Fridays, watch Under the Stars with Firefly Family Theatre at Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, or hop aboard the rides at the La Grange Carnival.

StoryWalk (Westmont Public Library)
June 2, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm

Get Moving: Stories in the Park (Woodridge Public Library)
June 2, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Summer First Fridays (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
June 2, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm

Under the Stars with Firefly Family Theatre (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
June 2, 2023 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Moose Cruise Night and Friday Night Live (Downtown Downers Grove)
June 2, 2023 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Cream of Wheaton
June 2, 2023 | 4:00pm – 11:00pm

Cream of Wheaton

Cream of Wheaton
June 1 – 4, 2023
Liberty Street, Wheaton
Website | Facebook | Instagram

The Cream of Wheaton Carnival will take place on Liberty St. You can spin, slide, and ride over 4 fun-filled days! Discounted carnival wristbands are available for purchase at the Community Center (1777 S. Blanchard St.) or the DuPage County Historical Museum (102 E. Wesley St.) through Wednesday, May 31. These discounted All-You-Can-Ride Wristbands are $25 and are valid for one day during the hours listed below. Wristbands sold during the Carnival will be $30 each.

First Friday: Mind Reading and Magic with the Great Boodini (Geneva Public Library)
June 2, 2023 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm

La Grange Carnival
June 2, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Maifest Chicago
June 2, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Fun and Food Trucks (Whalon Lake, Naperville)
June 2, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
With special programming to Solve the Skulls and Furs Mystery offered throughout the evening.

NERF Attack (Aurora)
June 2, 2023 | 5:15pm – 6:15pm
Advance registration suggested.

STC Live (St. Charles)
June 2, 2023 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Summer Reading Juggling Jamboree (Nichols Library, Naperville)
June 2, 2023 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Movies and Food Trucks: Minions: The Rise of Gru (Geneva Commons)
June 2, 2023 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Moonlit Movies in the Park: A League of Their Own (Cantigny Park, Wheaton)
June 2, 2023 | 8:30pm – 10:00pm

Saturday

It’s a beautiful summer day for the Cream of Wheaton, the LaGrange Pet Parade or the Glen Ellyn Vintage Auto Fest, all happening on Saturday.

Cream of Wheaton
June 3, 2023 | 7:30am – 11:00pm

Touch-A-Truck (West Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 11:00am
The first 30 minutes will be sensory-friendly.

Home Depot Workshop (Check your local store)
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm

Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 2:00pm

StoryWalk (Westmont Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm

LaGrange Pet Parade
June 3, 2023 | 9:30am – 10:30am

La Grange Pet Parade

La Grange Pet Parade
June 3, 2023 | 9:30am – 10:30am

The La Grange Pet Parade is celebrating its 77th year this year! Join them on June 3, 2023 at 9:30am for an amazing parade. Bring your pets! Bring your kids! Bring the whole family! The parade route begins at La Grange Road and Cossitt Avenue and ends at the Lyons Township North Campus parking lot. Be on the lookout for some Pet Parade Merchandise being sold along the route!

Egg Drop Challenge (Bolingbrook)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Registration suggested.

Cavalcade of Planes (Clow Airport, Bolingbrook)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm

Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm

Plant-stravaganza (Sherman Park, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Glen Ellyn Vintage Auto Fest
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 3:00pm

Clean-Up, Green-Up (Bloomingdale)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 12:00pm

Summer Reading Party (Elmhurst Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Summer Reading Kickoff Party (Berwyn Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 12:00pm

In the Grove (Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am

La Grange Carnival
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm

Maifest Chicago
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm

Summer Reading Kick-Off Party (Woodridge Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Soaring High in North Aurora
June 3, 2023 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Under the Stars with Firefly Family Theatre (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
June 3, 2023 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Silvertones Chorus Presents “Sounds of the Sixties” (Wheaton)
June 3, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance for reduced pricing.

Summer Challenge Kick-Off: Robin’s Dog Stars (Geneva Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Summer Reading Launch Party (Maywood Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

House of Kapwa Opening Ceremony E(ART)H CHICAGO (Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Live on the Lake (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 2:00pm – 11:00pm

Redemptive Plastics Progressive Opening Event (Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Pokemon Fun (Downers Grove Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Chicago Gospel Music Festival
June 3, 2023 | 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Summer Fireworks (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00pm – 10:30pm

Sunday

Keep your eyes on the sky at Cavalcade of Planes, hosted by Clow Airport in Bolingbrook or Naperville’s Frontier Kite Fly Festival

StoryWalk (Westmont Public Library)
June 4, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm

Cavalcade of Planes (Clow Airport, Bolingbrook)
June 4, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm

Day in Our Village (Oak Park)
June 4, 2023 | 11:00am – 4:00pm

La Grange Carnival (La Grange)
June 4, 2023 | 12:00pm – 9:00pm

Cream of Wheaton (Wheaton)
June 4, 2023 | 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Maifest Chicago
June 4, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm

Frontier Kite Fly Festival (Naperville)
June 4, 2023 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
June 4, 2023 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Sunday Makebreak (Michaels Craft Stores)
June 4, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Vintage Baseball Game (Elmhurst History Museum)
June 4, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Live on the Lake (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 4, 2023 | 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Things to Do with Kids This Weekend:
Northwest Suburbs

Friday

The weather should be perfect for Cruisin’ Park Ridge or Elk Grove Village’s Movies in the Park, which is showing Encanto.

Roselle Cruise Nights
June 2, 2023 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Maifest Chicago
June 2, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm

Fridays on the Green (Mount Prospect)
June 2, 2023 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Cruisin’ Park Ridge
June 2, 2023 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm

First Fridays Summer Dance Concert (Schaumburg)
June 2, 2023 | 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Movies in the Park (Elk Grove Village)
June 2, 2023 | 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Saturday

Join the fun at Family Day at Lake Park in Des Plaines, or celebrate diversity at Unity Day Festival of Cultures in Hoffman Estates.

Family Day at Lake Park (Des Plaines)
June 3, 2023 | 8:00am – 1:00pm

Prospect Heights Community Day and Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm

Home Depot Workshop (Check your local store)
June 3, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm

In the Grove (Eggers Grove Forest Preserve, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Plant-stravaganza (Sherman Park, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00am – 2:00pm

Summer Reading Kick-Off Party (Elmwood Park Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 11:00am – 2:00pm

Kick-off Party (Palatine Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Unity Day Festival of Cultures (Hoffman Estates)
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 4:30pm

Maifest Chicago
June 3, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm

Summer Reading Kick-Off Party (Franklin Park Public Library)
June 3, 2023 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Live on the Lake (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 2:00pm – 11:00pm

Redemptive Plastics Progressive Opening Event (Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm

House of Kapwa Opening Ceremony E(ART)H CHICAGO (Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights (Mount Prospect)
June 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 9:00pm

Chicago Gospel Music Festival
June 3, 2023 | 5:30pm – 9:00pm

Summer Fireworks (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 3, 2023 | 10:00pm – 10:30pm

Sunday

Celebrate at Buffalo Grove’s Pride Picnic, sample delicious foods at Volkening Heritage Farm’s Rhubarb Fest in Schaumburg, or enjoy Park Ridge Public Library’s Sensory-Friendly Hour to start your day.

Sensory-Friendly Hour (Park Ridge Public Library)
June 4, 2023 | 11:00am – 12:00pm

Pride Picnic (Buffalo Grove)
June 4, 2023 | 11:30am – 2:30pm

Rhubarb Fest (Volkening Heritage Farm, Schaumburg)
June 4, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Maifest Chicago
June 4, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm

Summer Fest: Summer Challenge Kickoff: Find Your Voice (Schaumburg Township District Library)
June 4, 2023 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm

A Different Way of Thinking with Cody Clark (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
June 4, 2023 | 1:00pm – 1:45pm

Sunday Makebreak (Michaels Craft Stores)
June 4, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Live on the Lake (Navy Pier, Chicago)
June 4, 2023 | 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Want to look ahead to next week?

Check out all the family-friendly events happening in your neighborhood and beyond on our events calendar!

You might also be interested in…

Outdoor Farmers Markets

Ultimate Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in the Western Suburbs

Where to Have the Best Kids Birthday Party + Entertainers, Rentals, Decor, Food and More

The Ultimate Summer Camp Guide

Find the Right Preschool and Daycare for Your Family

Your Local Guide to Kids Eat Free

We hope you found some family-friendly fun in our list of weekend events in the western suburbs of Chicago! This list is updated every week and sent out in the Kidlist emails. (Click here to sign up if you haven’t already.)

We love local businesses, libraries, park districts, villages, and organizations- they plan great events for all of us to enjoy. If you are hosting an event or know of an event that should be on our list, click here to submit it to the Kidlist calendar!

We strive to be the most comprehensive source for family fun, which is why you’ll always see so many weekend events listed. It would definitely be easier to just list the details for a few events and call them “the best weekend events for families”, but we recognize that everyone has different interests. Not to mention, sometimes I’m in the mood to go to a huge festival, and sometimes I’d rather go to a low key storytime at the library. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. That’s why we work hard and spend a lot of time to find everything going on in our area so you don’t have to!

We hope you find it helpful and we are open to suggestions. The Kidlist Team always talks about how we can improve and evolve to meet your needs, so let us know!

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