Kids Summer Fun Guide in Lake County, IL 2024

By: Jonathan Jones 07/09/2024

Sunscreen on, smiles wide, summer boredom? Take a backslide! Lake County's bursting with giggles and glee, This blog's your scoop on the coolest things to see and be about in the land of lakes with our kid's summer fun guide!

Explore the land of lakes nature settings, bask in the sun along the shore, discover historical nuggets, fill your belly with world-class eats and play with a few creatures just scratches the surface of what summer fun your kiddies can get into.

Lake County's natural beauty and diverse attractions make it the perfect place for an extended vacation. So let the ride take you to the land of lakes and take advantage of summer fun the land of lakes has to offer. Continue scrolling for your kids summer fun guide in Lake County. There are 60+ reasons to spend your break in the land of lakes. 

Kids Summer Fun Guide (Outdoors)

• Catch a show with some string cheese and Welch's bubbly as you take in the summer tunes from Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. INFO»
• Hit the links in Lake County…on a far smaller course. It’s all in the hips. Make your tee times for some of the most unusual, scenic, challenging and competitive outings at two of Lake County’s best miniature golf courses like Par-King Skill Golf, Kristof's Entertainment Center and Lambs Farm.
• And, for your long game, visit any of these Lake County golf courses. INFO»

• Take a dip in beautiful Lake Michigan and bask in all of nature's ambiance at Illinois Beach State Park. INFO»
• Experience the mobile eats your taste buds are craving in Lincolnshire, Highland Park, MainStreet Libertyville, Deerfield, Lake Zurich and Deer Park Town Center at the aforementioned village food truck events. INFO»
• Turn back time and travel just north of Lake County to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. INFO»
• The sun is shining, the streets are filled with people dancing to live music, indulging in delicious food and drinks, enjoying thrilling carnival rides, and much more. Mark your calendars for a summer festival in the land of lakes. INFO»
• Compete with some friends in a disc golf match. There are many courses located throughout Lake County, like Bevier Park (Waukegan), Keller/Sheppard Park (Deerfield), Adler Park (Libertyville) and Tim Osmond Sports Complex (Antioch). INFO»
• Explore Fort Sheridan Beach while you take a hike on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Landmark defunct army base in Lake Forest, Highwood and Highland Park.
• Achieve a taste of summer in Antioch with their annual festival featuring live tunes, sidewalk sales, delectable eats and more. INFO»
• Indulge in delicious food, explore sponsor and vendor booths, participate in the thrilling Gurnee Days Race and marvel at the spectacular parade. Cap off the festivities with a stellar fireworks show. INFO»
• Floral arrangements and butterflies go together like peas and carrots. Visit Zion for the Zinnia and Monarch Festival. INFO»
• Speaking of the armed forces, exclaim "Anchors Aweigh" while visiting and learning the storied history of our proud service people at sea at the National Museum of the American Sailor. INFO»

• Use the hook, line and sinker technique as you cast for a fishy face. INFO»
• It's a humongous party in North Chicago and everyone's invited. Visit for the parade, movie in the park, fireworks, cruise-in, legacy wall, soccer tournament and the headliner SandyRedd, a finalist on NBC's "The Voice." INFO»
• Bike, walk, blade, skate or run the Des Plaines River Trail Challenge that stretches 31.4 miles of uninterrupted Lake County trail. INFO»
• Lake County may have few spots to camp, but boy, are they mighty. Visit these two locations in the land of lakes where the deer and the antelope play like Illinois Beach State Park, Chain O'Lakes State Park and Fish Lake Beach. INFO»
• A spirited game of keepie-uppie is just what the doctor ordered. Head to Genesee Theatre for "Bluey's Big Play." Hopefully the kiddies don't freeze you in the process. INFO»

• Soar down a coaster or slip down a slide at Six Flags Great America and/or Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Don't forget your Bug's Bunny ears. INFO»
• Get your toes tapping or relax for a flick under the stars as Lake County cities, townships and villages provide visitors and residents alike with concerts and movies in the park throughout the summer. INFO»
• For a cool kid camp, enroll your kiddies into Lake County Hikers Summer Camp at Century Park's Vernon Hills. INFO»
• -  Staring fondly into the eyes of a constellation is a celestial sight. Make a wish upon a star in the land of lakes with one of these locations INFO»
• Say cowabunga to your kids as they land an ollie in one of Lake County’s skate park halfpipes and bowls: Warren Township Center Skate Park, Viking Park, Betty Russell Community Park and Churchill Hunt Park (Gurnee), Jewett Park Skate Park (Deerfield), Williams Park (Antioch), Daniel Barry Memorial Skate Park (Grayslake), Waukegan Skate Park and Sullivan Community Center.

• Invest your fest feels on a festive festival-infested August 3-4 in Libertyville for the annual Festival of the Arts thrown by the Adler Arts Center. INFO»
• The annual Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine and Arts Festival features art, music, dance and the Drum Circle, “As Waukegan Grows.” Visit and experience this Bowen Park festival as it coincides with ArtWauk. INFO»
• Explore nature on an adventure at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. INFO»
•  View all the fascinating natural activity by taking a tour of Illinois’ only remaining open-water quaking bog: National Natural Landmark Volo Bog State Natural Area
• You and the fam may not understand the science behind building a structure, but you can for sure point out cool Lake County architectural gems.

• Old Lake County had a farm E-I-E-I-O. Visit and have a meet and greet with with sheep, goats, horses, a camel and so much more at Lambs Farm. The Green Oaks farmyard has delectable treats, unique treasures and adorable adoptpable puppies and kitties. INFO»
• Fare, carnival rides, live tunes (Oh My) and so much more while the sun is shining bright in Grayslake. Take the fam over to Grayslake Summer Days for a fantastical
  experience. INFO»
• Hang out with the communities and the folks donning blue at National Night Out in Fox Lake and Waukegan.
• Receive a taste of Native American heritage to heighten awareness of their history at the annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow in Zion. INFO»
• Frolic, swing and climb at Bowen Park in Waukegan. INFO»
• Indulge your sweet tooth at the MainSweet Libertyville Dessert Walk in the village's downtown area. INFO»

• View the zoom of speedy cyclists at Chicago Grit, formerly known as the Intelligentsia Cup in Mundelein. INFO»
• Don't be a cornball; visit Round Lake Beach for live tunes, food trucks and a carnival at the Elote Festival. INFO»
• Travel back to yesteryear with AlpineFest nostalgic bliss. Carnivals, parades, games, eats, live entertainment and more will be on the docket for Lake Zurich's annual festival. INFO»
• Experience an oldie but goodie as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays along with the soundtrack of the 1987 film "The Princess Bride." INFO»
• Learn about the trust steeds that call Susanna Farms in Lake Villa home, as the homestead hosts a summer camp. (July 15-19, July 22-26),  INFO»
• Take a dip in the drink in Lake Michigan or one of the land of lakes inland lakes' beaches. INFO»
• Let the ride take you through the land of lakes on a road trip, and partake in some B-I-N-G-O in the process. INFO»

• Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling, and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies at Chicago Botanic Garden's "Butterflies & Blooms" exhibit. INFO»
• Fall in love with your favorite season again during Vernon Hills Days. The annual Century Park fest invites residents and visitors to have a bite to eat, take a ride on a carnival ride, view a pyrotechnics show, and enjoy an abundance of live entertainment. INFO»

• Compete to make the swiftest vessel at the Fox Lake Cardboard Boat Race and partake in its youth fishing derby as well. INFO»
• Get your little Hot Wheels or Matchbox enthusiasts out on the downtown streets to view myriad car shows in the land of lakes in towns like Mundelein, Libertyville, Wauconda and Highland Park. INFO»
• Outdoor live theatre is seen less in the modern days. That's why we implore you to visit Open Lands Nature Preserve for "Cinderella...Really?" presented by the Citadel Theatre. INFO»
• From Ferris wheels to funnel cakes, there’s something for everyone at the 95th annual Lake County Fair. INFO»

KIds Summer Fun Guide (Indoors)

• Marvel at the cartoon cars and Disney memorabilia while scouring for fossils on campus with some rather large lizards at Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens. INFO»
• Bump, collide and compete against your friends in the unique bumper car sport, WhirlyBall. Everyone’s favorite lacrosse/basketball/bumper car fusion game. INFO»
• Every time a bell rings, a prospective pilot gets their wings. In the Gurnee facility's airplane simulator, extreme Flight Simulations (figuratively) provide individuals with frequent flyer miles. INFO»

• Ahhhwooooo! The wolf has risen. Your little slip-and-sliders can have some summer fun in the Northwoods-themed park and accommodation in Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. Don't forget to play a little mini-golf, wall climbing and get into the dance party with the wolves. INFO»
• The summer is all about ice cream. And you'll screem, they'll scream for ....gelato! Visit Sweet Home Gelato in Libertyville to indulge on a cone or cup. INFO»
• Whatever you do, don't let the pigeon star in his own musical production! Based on the renowned book by Mo Willems, visit Marriott Theatre for "Don't let the Pigeon Drive The Bus: The Musical." INFO»
• “(S)He’d, (they’d) fly through the air with the greatest of ease. A daring young (wo)man on the flying trapeze.” Prepare to be stunned by the jaw-dropping acrobatics of Cirque Italia at Gurnee Mills. INFO»

• "Jump around. Jump up, jump up and get down." Head to Hawthorn for FUNBOX, the ultimate inflatable park experience. INFO»
• "Come and ride the train, come ride it!" Choo-choo your way over to Chicago Botanic Garden for their Model Railroad Garden. INFO»
• Arrive curious and leave inspired at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville after meeting a dryptosaurus, a Lake County dino. INFO»
• Sometimes the youngsters just a have a sweet tooth. Your litter will feel....well...like a kid in a candy store at Ma and Pa's Candy in Long Grove. INFO»
• Roam and scour through Gurnee Mills, Deer Park Town Center or Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills for some serious shopping. These malls contain over 400 various retailers combined. INFO»
• For a chef-lead experience preparing kid favorites, join The Joyful Gourmet in Libertyville for their hands-on classes.

• If you are looking for a spoonful of sugar to put some pep in your step, stop by Long Grove Confectionery Co. for a tour of the creation of chocolate magic. INFO»
• Launch into the air with activities both on the ground or off at Launch Gurnee. INFO»
• Give your kiddie a one-of-a-kind experience at the Sock Monkey Museum in Long Grove, featuring the world's largest handmade sock monkey collection, interactive exhibits on sock history, DIY sock monkey crafting and a charming gift shop offering unique finds.
• Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to Hawthorn's Exotic Reptile Show. Turtles, snakes, frogs and a whole slew of other critters will be in attendance at the event for the youngsters. INFO»
• What's buzzin' cousin? Our 17-year friends the cicadas may be peacing out, but there's still time to view the Celebrating Cicadas exhibit at the Dunn Museum. INFO»

For more things to do in the land of lakes for the kiddies, continue here. To learn more information about Lake County Road Trips, click here. For a full list of family-fun spots, continue here.