Summer is the perfect time for families to get out and explore everything their communities have to offer. Our list of things to do with kids this weekend has summer festivals, outdoor concerts, and pop-up fun at local libraries. To add to the excitement of summer starting, we’ve noticed a few new openings, like Hologram Zoo in Vernon Hills, Dinos! at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and Pokemon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum. If you’re looking for something new, check out our list of Immersive Experiences and Special Exhibits before mapping out your weekend fun.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Western Suburbs
Please check the details before you go to these events to ensure you know about registration requirements and additional info 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!
Friday
Western Springs’ Picnic in the Park, Brookfield Public Library’s Outer Space Dance Party, and the La Grange Carnival are perfect spots for family-friendly fun on Friday.
Saturday
Forest Park’s Bike Safety Carnival, Downtown Wheaton’s Family Fun Tent, and Elmhurst’s Summer Kickoff Street Party are among all the great options for Saturday. La Grange Pet Parade is an annual favorite for our readers, too!
Sunday
The weather will be perfect for soaking up summertime fun, like Morton Arboretum’s Nature Play for All, Taste of Bolingbrook, or Naperville’s Concerts in Your Park.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Northwest Suburbs
We strive to answer the question “Where can I find weekend events near me?” Our team takes care to stock the calendar full of kid-friendly fun, but please keep in mind that last minute changes to events do happen. We recommend clicking through to the event details to double check if there has been a change in registration requirements and to get additional information before you go. Have fun!
Friday
Register for the Family Concert: Little Lunas at Vernon Area Public Library or make your first s’more of the season at the End of School Campfire in Schaumburg.
Saturday
Celebrate your local community at Family Day at Lake Park in Des Plaines, Bark in the Park in Wheeling, or Hoffman Estates’ Unity Day Festival of Cultures.
Sunday
Explore the Forest at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington or enjoy Everyone at Play, hosted by Kohl Children’s Museum.
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 can filter the calendar by day by clicking the date on top, so if you are looking for things to do on a specific day, it’s easy to find!
You might also be interested in…
- Ultimate Summer Guide for Local Family Fun in Chicagoland
- 2025-26 Guide to Kids Classes and Teams
- Where to Have the Best Kids Birthday Party + Entertainers, Rentals, Decor, Food and More
- 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 things to do with kids this weekend in the west and northwest 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!
3 Comments. Leave new
This is a wonderful site. Thank you.
Love this Katie! Good job! Always looking for different healthy activities for the kiddos!
Awesome job, we struggle each week to find things to do with our grandchildren. Thank you so much.