Does anyone have any websites or other sources that you can recommend regarding free or discounted activities for summer activities with the kids.
Pick up a copy of Time Out Chicago Kids. It lists all the free activities in and around the city for the summer. Have fun!
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/
http://www.heritagecorridorcvb.com/will-county/will-count...
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/kids-things-to-do.htm
http://www.chicagokids.com/
http://illinois.2havefun.com/Counties/
http://homepage.mac.com/darylmonge/indianprairie/thingsto...
I googled my "will county things to do" and there was a lot that came up, maybe do the same for your county and neighboring ones. Library websites sometimes list them too, but my really good link to that seems to have disappeared (page load error, wasn't that way a month ago)
Regal cinemas has free movies on Tues and Wed. at 10:00 Check your local theater for participation and movies!!!
Hi! I work for The Grove, a nature center which is a facility of the Glenview Park District. We are open to the public for FREE every day. Come visit the Interpretive Center where we house a variety of turtles, snakes, birds and other creatures. On Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun between 11-3, all of our sites are open. You can see inside a replica of a log cabin, Iroquois longhouse, and one-room school house. There are also free things to attend at our other facilities. Check out the website at www.glenviewparks.org to see what else may interest you. I know I sound like a commercial, but I love working there and we're about the last really cool place that's free around Chicagoland! The number there is ###-###-#### if you want to talk to a human and get more information.
Chicago Parent's website has a lot of different ideas for things to do. Their website is: http://chicagoparent.com/ Oaklee's Guide is a great resource as well. They have coupons for things too. Their website is: http://www.oakleesguide.com/
Someone else suggested Cosely's Zoo. My daughter is 4 and LOVES it there.
Also, there's Pirate's Cove in Elk Grove Village. It's $7 a kid but parents are free. It's designed for kids ages 2-9.
Lots of malls have play areas. Also, lots of parks have splash pads. The splash pad by us is my daughter's
FAVORITE place in the summer.
Oh and the city museums have free days as well. http://dennisobrien.net/chicago/museums.html
Go to your library and see if they have a passport to adventure book! I was going through ours today and about half of the things are free or have a nominal fee! They're interesting things like area museums with hands-on activities or nature centers. Also, don't rule out buying a pass to a museum or the zoo, they run about $100 but its for the whole year and include parking. We get ours every year from my mom as a Christmas gift to the family, it's a great clutter-free gift. We go once a week at least, pack a picnic and have great adventures!
Yes. Look into your chicago public library and chicago park district has to offer. For example you can check out, like a book, the VIP pass for museums, shedd and other places for free. The pass allows 4 people to visit these places for free and you have the pass up to 7 days. My family and I rotate with whatever is available every week. We have already visit the Field museum, the shedd & Brookfield zoo for free! And now are offering FREE Rivina tickets for two adults. The Chicago park district offer a lot of free classese in the summer or very low cost classes. My 21 month daugther just finish a 8 week swimming classes that cost me $15. You just have to registered them early. If classes are book in on-line go to the park and ask if you may still registered your children. They just have to registered certain amount of people on-line and in person. Most people registered on-line so thoses classes close fast. You must live the City of Chicago and only in the chicago park library. Good luck this summer.
Many libraries offer free storytimes during the summer, although some may require you to register in order to participate. Also, Cosley Zoo in Wheaton always has free admission.
Check out the different parks in the counties. I've found that there are a lot of fun free things out there. Kline Creek Farms is a free working farm. We went this spring and actually got to see a calf being born. Cosley farm someone else mentioned is fun and free. The Trailside Museum in River Forest. The Conservatory in Oak park. The Little Red School House nature center. I think if you google any one of these they'll also give you links to some others. Have fun!!
Try Kidwinks.com They list all kinds of stuff in the city and suburbs and send out a weekly email on what is going on.
Check with the park districts in your area and also what the different communities have planned. Example Woodstock has a concert on the square each week, I believe it is on Wednesday nights. They also offer different free events through out the summer. I know Crystal Lake does also.
I absolutly love www.kidwinks.com. If you live in the suburbs and have kids, this is the website for you.
~C.
From a newsletter I get authored by Victoria Cook
Top 10 Low Cost/No Cost Summer Fun Ideas
The end of the school year is upon us! If you are a busy working parent like me, this season can be both fun AND challenging. Even if you don’t have children, summer is a wonderful time to reconnect with old friends and family members.
For the majority of the clients with whom I work, true success in business is more than a financial goal. It’s about maintaining a good balance in key areas of their life. As the summer season approaches take some time to rejuvenate yourself and spend time CONNECTING with family and friends to bring more balance to YOUR life.
1. Go Hollywood – The movies are a popular treat (one of my favorites) and can be enjoyed a variety of ways. Check your local theatre and see if they offer any FREE movies. The Regal Cinemas is again providing their Free Family Film Festival. Search for a theatre near you to search for a theatre near you. Selected G and PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Feed the kids a hearty breakfast and you can probably even skip popcorn! What a great rainy day alternative.
Did you know there's still a DRIVE-IN near us! Yep, the McHenry Outdoor Theatre is not that far away! Why not pick a night to head over with family and friends. You can go an hour prior to the start of the first movie and BBQ or play some games before the movie starts. Bring some lawn chairs and sit out in front of your car to watch the show. The drive-in is friendly to the family budget with ticket prices of $3 for children and $6 (PLUS you can bring your own snacks!
2. Go Cruisin’ – Many local towns host a Cruise Night where folks bring out their cool classic cars and hot rods. To find a cruise night near you, check out the Chicago Area Cruise Night Calendar. These events are filled with music, food and fun. Our town has a different car theme each week, such as Harley Bike Night, Street Rod Night, and Muscle Car Night, to keep things fresh.
3. Picnic in the Park - Pack a lunch and head to your local park for a relaxing meal. Bring along a ball or some cards and engage the whole family. Many towns have music nights or other free entertainment that can turn your picnic into “dinner and a show”. Need some time alone with your significant other? How about a sunset picnic dinner?
4. Get Movin’ - Dust off your bicycle or roller blades and hit the paths! Did you know Illinois has some wonderful biking and walking paths that go for miles? Check out some of the trail information here. You can often find a food stand or ice cream stop along the way!
5. Head East – Towards Lake Michigan that is. The lakefront is beautiful in the
summertime and filled with fun, and even FREE, activities. There are fireworks at Navy Pier each week as well as July 3rd, the Zoo, museums, Venetian night, and much much more! Check out the listing of free activities in Chicago and be a tourist in your own city!
6. Get Crafty – Did you know that many Home Depot stores offer fun activities for kids the first Saturday of each month? Our nephew built a plane at one such event and had a ball! If you aren’t near a Home Depot, create your own craft time with Popsicle sticks, foam, ribbon, and any other odd items lying around the house. Kids are very creative and will surprise you in what they can create.
7. Take in the Local Festivals – Many communities have festivals and County Fairs. A trip to the County Fair can also be educational. The local festivals provide lots of entertainment, carnival rides and family fun close to home. If you get a sitter, Mom and Dad can have a night out and hear some great bands. Check the links below to see who's coming this year to the local festivals by me:
* Crystal Lake - Lakeside Festival
* McHenry's Fiesta Days
* Algonquin Founders' Days
* Family Faith Night Featuring Paul Coleman July 25th
8. Check out your Library – The Library isn’t just for checking out books these days. They offer a full range of multi-media such as video games, movies, CD’s and DVD’s that can all be checked out for FREE! There are also a host of programs for children of all ages - - and some Libraries even have complimentary tickets to events like Ravinia.
9. Take a Dip – In the local pool or at the beach and keep cool on those hot summer days. Better yet, what friends or family members do you know with a pool? Why not offer to bring lunch and get together at their place.
10. Family Fun Night – Start a new tradition by designating one night a week as Family Fun Night. Get your whole family involved and even let them choose the event for the evening. It could be a video night complete with popcorn and M&M’s or a bonfire roasting marshmallows in the back yard. Be creative! One client’s children implemented the idea and each child loved getting to choose the event and even made admittance tickets for each family member. You’ll not only be connecting as a family but also creating lasting memories!!
If you have any ideas of your own not covered, I’m always looking for new activities to add to my list and would love to hear from you! Feel free to send me your ideas.
© 2009 Victoria Cook. All Rights Reserved.
Victoria Cook, The Guilt-Free Coach, is a successful entrepreneur, speaker, Certified Professional Coach, and creator of The Guilt-Free Results System?. Through coaching, classes, and workshops, Victoria helps professional women accomplish huge goals guilt-free.
As a coach, Victoria sees her role as a catalyst to help her clients identify and implement greater self-care and her 7 step system for creating the guilt-free results they desire.
To begin experiencing Victoria 's coaching, you can enjoy one month of her Best Year Ever group coaching program at no charge, beginning right now (plus a small $5 shipping/handling fee). http://theguiltfreecoach.com
Kidwinks has exactly what you're looking for.
ChicagoKids.com put out a big guide to free family fun activities for the summer, it's at www.chicagokids.com/guide
kidsbowlfree.com
You can sign your kids up to bowl for free all summer. 2 free games a day per child- plus you can buy a family pass for $24 for 4 adults to play with the kids.
If you're in the 6 county Chicago area, go to www.ChicagoParent.com and visit the calendar page. You can also pick up either Chicago Parent magazine or Going Places magazine at almost any library or park district and lots of other places. Chicago Parent comes out every month and Going Places comes out each season, but both have TONS of free things to do. We use it all the time
