CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDGEN
Free admission daily. Parking $25 per car, $30 per van, and $10 for senior
citizens on Tuesdays
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe
847-835-5440
GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of Chicago's hidden treasures - beautiful,
historical and packed with free activities for the budding horticulturalist (or
bored kiddie). Kids love the Elizabeth Morse Children's Garden, with free
drop-in activities all summer long.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL
(312) 746-5100
FAMILY FUN FEST
The Family Fun Festival returns to Millennium Park this summer. Every
day, from July 2 - Sept. 2 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., family
performances and hands-on activities will take place in the Family Fun
Tent, located on the Park's Chase Promenade North. The
Wiggleworms, from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, perform
at kids' show at 10 a.m., reading circle is at 11 a.m. and family
performances are at 1 p.m. Plus, take part in hands-on art projects and
garden activities with some of the region's most popular museums and
cultural organizations daily in the Family Fun Activity Zone from 10
a.m.-3 p.m.
BOWL FOR FREE
For the fourth summer in a row, kids will bowl free at more than 30
Chicagoland alleys. Kids Bowl Free is a national initiative with more
than 850 participating centers that provide kids with two free games
of bowling every day, all day, from Memorial Day to late August.
with ID. The Crown Family PlayLab is free
with Basic admission and is open
Thursday-Monday, 10am-4pm.
ADLER PLANETARIUM,
Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free
general admission for Illinois residents with
ID.
June 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12
September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30
November 5, 6, 12 and 13
1300 S Lake Shore Dr
312-922-7827
ART INSTITUTE CHICAGO
Illinois residents with ID receive free
admission the first and second Wednesday
of every month. Admission is free for
Illinois residents every Thursday from 5–
8pm.
111 S Michigan Ave
312-443-3600
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Free Thursday evenings from 5–8pm. The
first Sunday of every month is free for
children 15 and younger.
700 E Grand Ave
312-527-1000
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
Free for children 12 and younger daily.
2013 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer
free general admission for Illinois residents
with ID.
1601 N Clark St
312-642-4600
THE FIELD MUSEUM
2013 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer
free general admission for Illinois residents
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
312-922-9410
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Free admission daily. Cab fare from
downtown is about $10 and buses #151,
#156, #22 and #36 all stop near the zoo.
2200 N Cannon Dr.
312-742-2000
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
2013 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer
free general admission for Illinois residents
with ID.
April 22
May 6
June 3–7, 10
September 9–13, 16–20, 23–27, 30
October 1, 2
November 4
December 9
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
773-684-1414
AYSO CAMPS
This nonprofit, volunteer organization’s
focus is on character development—but
you can bet that soccer skills are part of
the deal. Visit the national site at
AYSO.org to find your region and details
on the half- and full-day summer
programs and prices
773-929-5425, ayso418.org. Ages 4–18.
CHICAGO ATHLETIC CLUB KIDS
The day starts off with an indoor picnic
and then exercise gets creative: Campers
indulge in swimming, movement and
climbing classes, arts and crafts, and story
time. 1019 W Diversey Pkwy
773-529-2022, chicagoathleticclubs.com.
Jul 22–Aug 30. $65–$85 per day. Ages 3–
12.
CHICAGO BEARS YOUTH FOOTBALL
CAMP
Your Jay Cutler-in-training learns new
skills and gains confidence under the
instruction of professional, college and
high-school football coaches at this noncontact, station-based training camp. Drills
teach kids the fundamentals for all
positions. Locations throughout the city
312-226-7776, bearscamps.com. Jun 10–
Jul 26. One-week session $349–$399. Ages
6–14.
CHICAGO BULLS BASKETBALL CAMP
Little ballers can shoot free throws all day,
sprint up and down the driveway and jump
rope until their quads burn. But to take it
to the next level, they need to learn new
skills and practice the fundamentals with
talented coaches. Locations throughout
the city (bullssoxacademy.com). Dates
vary by location. $199, Bulls/Sox combo
$375. Ages 6–12.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX CAMP BASEBALL
CAMPERS
Work on hitting, throwing, fielding,
bunting and any other baseball-ish verb
you can think of as they train with
professional coaches. Locations
throughout the city,
(bullsoxacademy.com). Dates vary by
location. $179–$199, Bulls/Sox combo
$375. Ages 5–12.
DOUGH BRUNO BASKETBALL CAMP
FOR GIRLS
A slam-dunk if your daughter loves
basketball, Bruno’s camps focus on hard
work, fun, friendship and discipline. North
Central College, 30 N Brainard St,
Naperville (773-281-6057, brunoball.org).
Jun 20–23, 24–26 (shooting), 27–30, Jul
30–Aug 2, 3–6 (shooting), 7–10.
Fundamental camps $395, shooting camps
$355. Ages 7–18.
THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM CIRCUS
AND PERFORMING ARTS
Kids learn the arts of circus, drama and
movement (hello, tumbling, juggling,
trapeze, tightwire, stilts!). Each day begins
with a warm-up, followed by training and
workshops. They also take several field trips
and create and participate in an end-ofsession circus-theater performance. 927
Noyes St, Evanston (847-328-2795,
actorsgynmansium.com). Jun 17–Aug 9.
$1,080. Ages 9–15.
857-3804, schoolofrock.com). Jun 25–
Aug 10. $1,200. Ages 9 and up.
BALLET CHICAGO BALLERINA DREAM
campers will create and perform a dance,
decorate tutus and tiaras, make their very
own princess wands and more. Eligible
students ages 11 and up may be selected to
attend the School of Ballet Chicago’s
annual program. 17 N State St, 19th floor
(312-251-8838, balletchicago.org).
Summer Course runs Jun 24–Jul 26,
Junior Intensive runs Jul 29–Aug 9,
Ballerina Dream Camp runs Jun 17–21.
$200 for camp; $440 for intensive;
$2,000 for summer course. Ages 4–18.
CAMP CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
Kids soak up science, art and nature in the
natural surroundings of the garden
through a variety of hands-on activities,
such as planting an herb garden and
solving a CSI-like mystery using forensics.
1000 Lake-Cook Rd, Glencoe (847-8355440, chicagobotanic.org/camp). Jun 17–
Aug 16. One-week session $40–$420.
Ages 2–15.
CHICAGO KIDS COMPANY
The two-week Musical Theater Camp kicks
off by discussing plays and characters—
everything from scenery to costumes to
props. Theater games and auditions round
out day one, then it’s full steam ahead to
rehearsal. A weeklong Junior camp (ages
6–9) and a Fairy Tale Theater Camp (ages
4–6) are also offered. 4104 N Nashville
Ave (773-205-9600,
chicagokidscompany.com). Fairy Tale, Jul
8–12; Junior, Jul 15–19, Musical Theater,
Jul 22–Aug 2. $150–$500. Ages 4–15.
SCHOOL OF ROCK SUMMER CAMP
Mini rock stars hone their skills through
one-on-one instruction of songwriting
and recordings. They also get busy with
band makeovers, photo shoots and field
trips. Each session ends with a performance
for friends and family. And a friendly FYI
from the kind folks at School of Rock:
Campers should have some musical
experience. 3043 N Ashland Ave (773-
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CHICAGO
Campers spend the summer exploring our
fair city with field trips to baseball games,
water parks and museums. And then, we’re
guessing, they sleep like logs every night.
Locations vary (312-235-8000, bgcc.org).
Dates, prices, ages vary by location.