As a proud Chicagoan and guardian, I created an inventory of the Greatest Issues to Do with Children in Chicago throughout Summer season. That is our Chicago summer time bucket checklist.

My good friend Audra, of The Baker Chick, has a practice of writing up a summertime bucket checklist stuffed with actions to do together with her three youngsters. I really like the thought, so I’m making my very own checklist!


Greatest Issues to Do with Children in Chicago throughout Summer season:
1. Watch the Navy Pier Fireworks
Chicago LOVES fireworks. The town has fireworks exhibits twice per week from Memorial Day till Labor Day! On Wednesdays, the fireworks are at 9pm, and on Saturdays, they’re at 10pm. There is no such thing as a scarcity of viewpoints for the fireworks exhibits. You will get a fantastic view from Navy Pier, Grant Park, Cindy’s Rooftop, the Centennial Wheel, or from any high-rise with views of Navy Pier. We plan to observe from our good friend’s house within the South Loop.
2. See a Play
I really like taking my virtually five-year-old daughter to see kids’s theatre performances. You’ll find theater performances for youngsters at theatres throughout Chicago and on the Chicago Youngsters’s Theatre. We plan to deliver Gwen to see Charlotte’s Internet on the Greenhouse Theater. Seeing a present this summer time is sweet observe for seeing The Lion King in relation to Broadway in Chicago this fall.



3. Stroll the 606 to Parson’s
The 606 is an deserted railway line reworked into an elevated strolling path/bike path. It’s a scenic route that connects Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Sq.. We wish to stroll the 606, cease at a playground, after which have dinner at Parson’s – an off-the-cuff Logan Sq. restaurant with a big patio.
Strolling or biking the 606 is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do with youngsters in Chicago throughout Summer season. Because the 606 has no site visitors, it’s the proper place to let youngsters go for an extended bike experience. Simply bear in mind that it may be a bit crowded on weekends.
4. Farmer’s Market and the Zoo on a Wednesday
Chicago’s greatest farmers market is the Inexperienced Metropolis Market, which takes place in Lincoln Park on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. It’s conveniently situated beside the Lincoln Park Zoo, a free zoo! The market and the zoo might be packed on weekends, so I like occurring a Wednesday. It is a enjoyable outing and one thing Gwen and I’ve been doing for years.
5. Host a Children’ Film Night time
Late in summer time, when the solar units a bit earlier, I wish to host a rooftop film evening for the children in our advanced.



6. Pulaski Park Water Playground
I’ll name this park a hidden gem since many neighbors have been shocked to study it! Pulaski Park, which is situated within the Wicker Park neighborhood, has a water playground. The hours could be a bit wonky, and the web site hasn’t been up to date since 2018, however it exists and needs to be open this summer time.
7. Trip the Water Taxi
I’ve been a Chicagoan for practically 17 years and haven’t skilled this seasonal public transportation but! The Chicago River water taxi runs from Michigan Avenue to Ogilvie and Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown.



8. Wiggleworms at Gallagher Means
The Previous City Faculty of Folks Music brings free, kid-friendly dwell concert events to Gallagher Means (beside Wrigley Subject) on Tuesday mornings in the course of the summer time. After the ten am concert events, motion pictures are proven on the videoboard. Final yr’s Gallagher Means outing was reduce quick as a result of rain. Hopefully, we are able to keep for the total film this yr.
9. Go to a New Playground
Oz Park in Lincoln Park obtained a brand new playground final yr, and it’s on the highest of our checklist of playgrounds we haven’t visited but. Bucktown’s Ehrler Park’s playground was additionally overhauled lately. Not solely do I need to let Gwen play in numerous playgrounds, however I’m additionally beginning to do analysis for playground updates at Wicker Park, which I’m serving to to spearhead.
10. Trip the Ferris Wheel
At some point final yr, Gwen was taking part in together with her Peppa Pig Ferris Wheel when she stated she wished to go on a Ferris Wheel. We realized she had by no means ridden a Ferris Wheel, so we booked tickets for Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel. She had a blast and requested to return in March, however sadly, that day it was too windy for the wheel to function.
11. Host a Rooftop Slumber Get together
One in all Gwen’s greatest buddies stated he needs to sleep exterior underneath the celebrities, so we have now been planning a bit slumber occasion on our rooftop this summer time. I bear in mind “tenting” in my godparents’ yard as a child, and this might be a enjoyable technique to create the same expertise within the metropolis.
12. Go to a Film within the Park
Dozens of Film within the Park occasions happen at parks throughout town every summer time. As a board member for the Wicker Park Advisory Council, I assist choose the films proven in my native park. My choose: The Dad or mum Entice is taking part in at Wicker Park on Thursday, July twenty fourth, at nightfall. Gwen has seen elements of the film and loved it, and I believe she is sufficiently old to take a seat by means of the entire thing now.



13. Spend Time in New Buffalo
We plan to spend the ultimate days of summer time in New Buffalo, Michigan. It’s a lakeside city simply an hour and fifteen minutes’ drive or prepare experience from Chicago. Gwen will love the massive sandy seaside!
Searching for extra of the very best issues to do with youngsters in Chicago throughout summer time? Take a look at my information to the Greatest Issues to Do in Chicago with Children.