5 of the Best Free Summer Activities For Families in Illinois

Illinois kids have been on summer break for nearly a month now, and the thrill of swimming and going to the park is already wearing off. What do we do now to avoid that dreaded b-word whining?  Lucky for us, Illinois has loads of free family fun just a short drive away!

Summer Fun in Illinois

My daughters are 10 and 8, and when it comes to keeping them busy, (and off electronics), swimming in our pool, going to the park, and playing with neighbor kids is our usual mix, but sometimes we like to experience have fun outside our zip code too.

Any parent knows that taking kids places usual equals spending a lot of money, but it doesn't have to! You just need to be smart about when and where you take them so you can save some money. Hopefully, this list will help you make those decisions...

5 Of Illinois' Best Places for Free Family Fun

Shedd Aquarium

Kids loves sea creatures, and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is a great place to see AND LEARN about them in person, PLUS the Shedd offers free admission for Illinois residents on specific days throughout the year. During the summer months Shedd Aquarium's free admission times happen on Tuesday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., (see the list of dates here), which gives you an excuse to head into the city early for some fun at the beach before you go.

Chicago Botanic Garden

For those that don't know, Chicago Botanic Garden features a  Nature Play Garden and Model Train Garden that kids love, plus the beautiful flowers and trees make a great place to have a picnic. The best part? Chicago Botanic Garden also offers free admission days through the summer, see the dates for July and August, here.

Adler Planetarium

If your kids love all things space and astronauts, they will love all the exhibits and shows at Adler Planetarium. During the summer, Adler Planetarium has free admission days for Illinois residents on Wednesday evenings from 4 to 10 p.m. (learn more and other discounted ticket opportunities, here).

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is a favorite for my family because it has all the animals my kids LOVE like lions, tigers, and adorable penguins. Plus, admission is always free at Lincoln Park Zoo and it truly is possible to spend a day there without spending hundreds of dollars!

Phillips Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo isn't the only free zoo in Illinois, you also have Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora to check out. It may not be as big as Lincoln Park, but this zoo still has a ton of fascinating creatures to see like a lynx, a wolf, and a bunch of cool lizards and snakes.

Honestly, those five places are just a taste of the free summer fun Illinois has to offer, and you know what they all have in common? They all offer fantastic learning experiences too! That's what you call a major win/win, parents!  Don't forget to check out local park district events, free outdoor concerts, and library programs for even more budget-friendly summer shenanigans. Happy exploring!