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!
