Things To Do With Kids Near Me [2023]

Even though the summer season is coming to an end, the fun festivals and events are still going strong. This weekend, we have discovered over 95 exciting activities to do with kids. Bid farewell to summer or embrace the arrival of fall at annual events like the Good Old Days Festival in Winfield, St. Cletus Fall Fest in La Grange, or Itasca’s Oktoberfest.

Table of Contents

Soak up the Outdoors

Make the most of the beautiful weather at the Centennial Celebration held at Spring Rock Park in Western Springs all weekend long. Or head over to Bloomingdale to celebrate Septemberfest. Additionally, the Taste of Chicago is back in Grant Park, and the Sandwich Fair is also happening this weekend. Explore your favorite festival or discover a new one in a neighboring town.

Enjoy Museums for Free

Several museums in Chicago have recently announced free admission days throughout the fall. While most of these events occur on weekdays, the Museum of Science and Industry is hosting a Free Admission Day on Sunday!

Please keep in mind that this weekend planner is sponsored by the featured businesses and organizations. Before attending these events, it’s crucial to check the details and ensure you’re aware of any registration requirements and additional safety measures to maximize your family’s fun. Although we strive to provide the most up-to-date information in our calendar, last-minute location or time changes can occur. If you’re wondering, “Where can I find weekend events near me?” look no further. We have you covered!

Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Western Suburbs

Friday

Kickstart your weekend by joining the Rock the Block Party at City Centre in Elmhurst on Friday night. Alternatively, enjoy some great music at St. Charles Jazz Weekend. St. Cletus Parish is hosting a Fall Fest for Adults and Children with Disabilities, which will later open to the general public.

Some other attractions for Friday include:

Sandwich Fair (Sandwich) – September 8, 2023 | 8:00am – 11:00pm
StoryWalk: Hello, Little One (Diane Main Park, Westmont) – September 8, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm
Stories in the Park (83rd Street Park, Woodridge) – September 8, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am (Registration is appreciated)
Swadeshi Mela – The Indian Fair (Naperville) – September 8, 2023 | 10:00am – 10:00pm
Storytime with Officer Friendly (Naper Boulevard Library, Naperville) – September 8, 2023 | 10:30am – 11:15am
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 8, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Roving Naturalists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 8, 2023 | 11:30am – 1:30pm
Fall Fest for Adults and Children with Disabilities (St. Cletus Parish, La Grange) – September 8, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Oktoberfest (Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia) – September 8, 2023 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Rock the Block Party (City Centre, Elmhurst) – September 8, 2023 | 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Roselle Cruise Nights – September 8, 2023 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Centennial Celebration (Spring Rock Park, Western Springs) – September 8, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm
St. Cletus Fall Fest (La Grange) – September 8, 2023 | 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Good Old Days Festival (Winfield) – September 8, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:30pm
St. Charles Jazz Weekend – September 8, 2023 | 6:00pm – 10:00pm
A Night at the Movies: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (Naperville) – September 8, 2023 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Movies in the Park: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (Villa Park) – September 8, 2023 | 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Saturday

Saturday offers exciting activities for kids as well. Honk and steer your way to Elmhurst’s Touch A Truck, or witness the Big Truck Show in St. Charles. North Riverside Park Mall also hosts a Touch A Truck event. Additionally, don’t miss out on the Brookeridge Fly and Drive-In happening in Downers Grove.

Other attractions on Saturday include:

Oswego Area Moms and More Resale – September 9, 2023 | 8:00am – 2:00pm
Sandwich Fair (Sandwich) – September 9, 2023 | 8:00am – 12:00am
Touch A Truck (Elmhurst) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Indoor Fall Market (Burr Ridge) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
StoryWalk: Hello, Little One (Diane Main Park, Westmont) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm
Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
West End Arts Festival (La Grange) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Big Truck Show (St. Charles) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
ID Day 2023 (Field Museum, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Super Sensational Saturdays (Villa Park) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Brookeridge Fly and Drive-In (Downers Grove) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Printers Row Lit Fest (Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Swadeshi Mela – The Indian Fair (Naperville) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 10:00pm
A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous (Willow Springs) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Legotastic Saturday (Brookfield Public Library) – September 9, 2023 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Roving Naturalists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:30am – 2:00pm
Touch A Truck (North Riverside Park Mall) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Good Old Days Festival (Winfield) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Craft Supply Rescue and Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange (Berwyn Public Library) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Fischer Farm 4-H Open House (Bensenville) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Rock the Block Party (City Centre, Elmhurst) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 11:00pm
Chinese Storytime (95th Street Library, Naperville) – September 9, 2023 | 11:30am – 12:30pm
Origami Open House (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
JH Petting Zoo (Jayson Home, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Dog Daze (Fishel Park, Downers Grove) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Centennial Celebration (Spring Rock Park, Western Springs) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm
St. Cletus Fall Fest (La Grange) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 11:00pm
St. Charles Jazz Weekend – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Make with Wood (Morton Arboretum, Lisle) – September 9, 2023 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Good Old Days Coin Carnival (Winfield) – September 9, 2023 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Dog Sensory Hike (Bolingbrook) – September 9, 2023 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Oktoberfest (Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia) – September 9, 2023 | 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ – September 9, 2023 | 2:00pm – 10:00pm
St. Odilo Back to School Block Party (Berwyn) – September 9, 2023 | 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Community Resource Fair and Festival (Lesak Park, Berwyn) – September 9, 2023 | 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Oktoberfest (Downtown Clarendon Hills) – September 9, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Good Old Days Teen Street Dance (Winfield) – September 9, 2023 | 7:30pm – 10:00pm

Sunday

Support small businesses at the West End Arts Festival in La Grange or the Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival. For a historical adventure, visit the A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous in Willow Springs or the Living History Encounter at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

Other attractions on Sunday include:

Fire Association Annual Pancake Breakfast (Western Springs) – September 10, 2023 | 7:00am – 1:00pm
St. Odilo Back to School Block Party (Berwyn) – September 10, 2023 | 7:00am – 3:00pm
Dog Admission Days (Morton Arboretum, Lisle) – September 10, 2023 | 7:00am – 8:00pm
Sandwich Fair (Sandwich) – September 10, 2023 | 8:00am – 7:00pm
Joliet Airport Festival – September 10, 2023 | 8:00am – 3:00pm
StoryWalk: Hello, Little One (Diane Main Park, Westmont) – September 10, 2023 | 9:00am – 7:00pm
MSI Free Admission Day (Chicago) – September 10, 2023 | 9:30am – 4:00pm
West End Arts Festival (La Grange) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Winfield Duck Race (Winfield) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Good Old Days Festival (Winfield) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Printers Row Lit Fest (Chicago) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Swadeshi Mela – The Indian Fair (Naperville) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 10:00pm
Family Biking Adventure (Batavia) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 12:00pm (Register in advance)
A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous (Willow Springs) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 10, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Living History Encounter (Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville) – September 10, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Centennial Celebration (Spring Rock Park, Western Springs) – September 10, 2023 | 12:00pm – 8:00pm
St. Cletus Fall Fest (La Grange) – September 10, 2023 | 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Grandparents’ Day with T-Trak Model Trains (Elmhurst Public Library) – September 10, 2023 | 1:00pm – 4:30pm
Sunday Makebreak (Michaels Craft Stores) – September 10, 2023 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Oktoberfest (Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia) – September 10, 2023 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Pathways Parade and PathFest (Bolingbrook) – September 10, 2023 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm
St. Charles Jazz Weekend – September 10, 2023 | 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Glow in the Park Lantern Walk (Glen Ellyn) – September 10, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
September 11th Tribute (La Grange Park) – September 10, 2023 | 6:45pm – 7:45pm

Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Northwest Suburbs

Friday

Start your weekend by registering for the preschool Rosh Hashanah Celebration at Schaumburg Township District Library or enjoy the Fridays on the Green event at Mount Prospect Village Hall.

Some other attractions for Friday include:

Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 8, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Roving Naturalists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 8, 2023 | 11:30am – 1:30pm
Rosh Hashanah Celebration (Schaumburg Township District Library) – September 8, 2023 | 1:00pm – 1:45pm (Register in advance)
Itasca Oktoberfest – September 8, 2023 | 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Fridays on the Green (Mount Prospect Village Hall) – September 8, 2023 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Platzkonzert Germanfest (Hoffman Estates) – September 8, 2023 | 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Fridays Rock and Roll in Meadows (Rolling Meadows) – September 8, 2023 | 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Saturday

On Saturday morning, Palatine is hosting a Kiwanis Kite Fly event, or you can enjoy the Grandparents Day Story Time at the Barrington Area Library. Rolling Meadows has Bark in the Park, and Bartlett is hosting its Fall Festival and Pet Event.

Other attractions on Saturday include:

Fishing Derby (Mount Prospect) – September 9, 2023 | 8:00am – 11:00am (Register in advance to ensure participation)
Field Museum Illinois Resident Free Day (Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
LEGO Train Exhibit (Arlington Heights Memorial Library) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Kiwanis Kite Fly (Palatine) – September 9, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
ID Day 2023 (Field Museum, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Bark in the Park (Rolling Meadows) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:30am
Printers Row Lit Fest (Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Fall Festival and Pet Event (Bartlett) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Grandparents Day Story Time (Barrington Area Library) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Adaptive Storytime (Schaumburg Township District Library) – September 9, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Roving Naturalists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 10:30am – 2:00pm
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Septemberfest (Bloomingdale) – September 9, 2023 | 11:00am – 10:00pm
JH Petting Zoo (Jayson Home, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Origami Open House (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Platzkonzert Germanfest (Hoffman Estates) – September 9, 2023 | 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Bluesmobile Cruise Nights (Mount Prospect) – September 9, 2023 | 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Itasca Oktoberfest – September 9, 2023 | 3:00pm – 10:30pm
Fall Concert at the Cabin (Spring Valley Nature Center, Schaumburg) – September 9, 2023 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Sunday

Experience the first of three Fall Caboose Days at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, or celebrate at Platzkonzert Germanfest in Hoffman Estates.

Other attractions on Sunday include:

MSI Free Admission Day (Chicago) – September 10, 2023 | 9:30am – 4:00pm
Printers Row Lit Fest (Chicago) – September 10, 2023 | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Fall Caboose Days (Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin) – September 10, 2023 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Taste of Chicago (Grant Park) – September 10, 2023 | 11:00am – 9:00pm
Itasca Oktoberfest – September 10, 2023 | 11:30am – 2:00pm
LEGO Train Exhibit (Arlington Heights Memorial Library) – September 10, 2023 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Platzkonzert Germanfest (Hoffman Estates) – September 10, 2023 | 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Want to look ahead to next week?

Check out all the family-friendly events happening in your neighborhood and beyond on our events calendar!

You might also be interested in…

Outdoor Farmers Markets
Ultimate Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in the Western Suburbs
Where to Have the Best Kids Birthday Party + Entertainers, Rentals, Decor, Food and More
The Ultimate Summer Camp Guide
Find the Right Preschool and Daycare for Your Family
Your Local Guide to Kids Eat Free

We hope you found some exciting family-friendly fun in our list of weekend events in the western suburbs of Chicago! This list is updated every week and sent out in the Kidlist emails. (Click here to sign up if you haven’t already.)

At Kidlist, we’re passionate about supporting local businesses, libraries, park districts, villages, and organizations, as they plan great events for all of us to enjoy. If you’re hosting an event or know of one that should be on our list, click here to submit it to the Kidlist calendar!

We strive to be the most comprehensive source for family fun, which is why you’ll always find numerous weekend events listed here. While it might be easier to highlight a few events and call them the “best weekend events for families,” we understand that everyone has different interests. Sometimes, we crave the excitement of a large festival, while other times, we prefer a low-key storytime at the library. We believe in providing a diverse range of options, so you can choose what suits you best. Let us know how we can improve and evolve to meet your needs!