Finding things to do in August is tricky—my mom brain is exhausted and already jumping into back-to-school mode, but my kids are still in a full-on summer mindset.
Fortunately, August is full of local events and activities. Maximize your family fun by checking out this list of 31 ideas to help you enjoy the rest of summer with your family!
This article is sponsored by Corsalus Financial. Beyond making the most of the summer, they help families like yours leverage finances to meet your personal and family goals.
Corsalus Financial
Corsalus Financial
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Jason Dobrzynski, CFP®, CMFC® and Maralynn Kearney, MBA, CFP® are a wealth of knowledge for both financial planning and investment management. We love their personal approach; they truly care about your family’s goals!
So if you have questions about how you are spending and saving money, need help with investments, want to consider hiring a financial planner, or already have one and possibly want to switch, feel free the contact them. They offer free initial consultations.
You can also check out their Financially Aware Kids page for resources to help you educate your kids about money and contact them to talk about how they can help your family plan for the future.
31 Days of August
We put together a day by day itinerary so you can make the most out of the last month of summer! There are tons more ideas in the Kidlist calendar, so you can check that out too.
Friday, August 1: Family Fun Day
Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park in Woodridge is having a special day at the pool called Family Fun Day with jungle safari-themed games, crafts, and special lunch offerings. Included in general admission.
Saturday, August 2: Touch a Truck
Honk horns and climb aboard various big trucks at Addison Park District’s Touch a Truck, Barrington Park District’s Big Trucks, or Village of North Aurora’s Touch a Truck event. Check out the full list of touch-a-truck events for other date options, too.
There are also summer festivals on this day, including Taste of Roselle and Summer Daze in Warrenville. Destination Asia Festival at The Morton Arboretum is also a great way to spend the day.
Sunday, August 3: Cultural Events
Explore the beautiful cultures and traditions of Asia at the Destination Asia Festival at The Morton Arboretum. Immerse yourself in the rich diversity of global halal cuisine, arts, and traditions to celebrate Muslim culture in Chicagoland at the Naperville Halal Fest.
Monday, August 4: Museum Maker Monday
Elmhurst History Museum is usually closed on Mondays, but not this one! They are offering a Museum Maker Monday when families can play games and complete a craft in addition to checking out the exhibits.
Tuesday, August 5: National Night Out
August 5 is National Night Out, which means that the police departments of various towns offer fun events, some with giveaways, food trucks, live music, and other perks, which aim to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities where they work. You can find these events in Des Plaines, Glen Ellyn, Prospect Heights, Oswego, La Grange, Itasca, Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Burr Ridge, Schaumburg, Willowbrook, Rolling Meadows, and Wood Dale.
Wednesday, August 6: Big Surf Wave Pool
It’s the last summer for Big Surf Wave Pool in Mount Prospect! Go and enjoy Chicagoland’s only stand-alone wave pool without full waterpark prices. Their last day is August 10.
Thursday, August 7: Free Days
Walk the gardens, see the model railroad, and visit the butterflies at the last free day for Illinois Residents and Chicago Botanic Garden before school starts! Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is also having an Illinois Resident Donation Day and The Art Institute of Chicago has Free Admission for Illinois Residents.
Friday, August 8: Blueberry Festival
The Blueberry Festival at Windy Acres Farm in Geneva is going on this weekend and next. If you didn’t make it out blueberry picking this season, this is a great way to enjoy a taste of local produce.
Saturday, August 9: Summer Festivals
The first couple weekends in August are great for unique summer events! Enjoy the So Long Summer Bash and DuPage Children’s Museum, Veggie Fest Chicago in Lisle, and Luau Day in Lisle.
Sunday, August 10: Brookfield Zoo
Have you seen the Bramsen Tropical Forests at Brookfield Zoo yet? The gorillas come right up to the glass and you can also watch spider monkeys traverse the mesh bridge overhead then swing from branch to branch in their new outdoor habitat. It’s beautiful! Please note that although the Tropical Forests is included in general admission, you will need timed tickets to enter.
Monday, August 11: Movie Monday
The Forge’s Monday Movie series concludes on August 11 with showing High School Musical. You can go early to enjoy all the adventures they have before settling in for the movie on the lawn.
Tuesday, August 12: Connect with Nature
Enjoy JG’s Reptile Show as part of the Family Fun Entertainment Series at Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca and learn about reptiles, mammals and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy at the River Trail Nature Center Wildlife Connections event in Northbrook. It’s also a Free Day at Shedd Aquarium!
Wednesday, August 13: Lunch on the Lawn
The last Lunch on the Lawn in Hinsdale is on August 13 and starts at noon. Bring a picnic to Burlington Park and your kids can enjoy some children’s entertainment while you relax and get some fresh air.
Thursday, August 14: Sunflower Field
August is a great month for exploring a sunflower field. Check with the destination you have in mind to be sure that blooms are available.
Friday, August 15: Carnivals
Both the Taste of Glen Ellyn and Carnival and Montgomery Fest have carnivals along with other fun, including live music, food, car show, fishing derby, and parade.
Saturday, August 16: Chicago Air and Water Show
Head downtown today to take in the amazing sights in the sky and water. During the day, the Chicago Air and Water Show features impressive stunts that are best viewed between Oak Street and Fullerton Beaches.
If you want to stay close to home, Elmhurst Park District’s Park Palooza is a great way to say farewell to summer with live music, kids activities, games, and a beer garden.
Sunday, August 17: Around the World Food Festival
Take your taste buds on a global adventure at the Around the World Food Truck Fest at The Forge: Lemont Quarries.
Monday, August 18: Museum of Science and Industry
There are only four free days at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, so take advantage of them! Mark your calendar for August 18, 19, 35 , and 26, 2025.
Tuesday, August 19: Safety Town
Ride bikes and scooters at Elmhurst’s Safety Town; it’s open to the public and free to visit. The little car wash is so cute!
Wednesday, August 20: Music and Movies
There are quite a few opportunities to listen to live music and see an outdoor movie at a park on Wednesdays! Be sure to check out our guides for each to get all the details. For instance, you can see Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves at Oakbrook Center, Westchester has their Summer Concert Series on Wednesdays in August, and there is Summer Jazz in Glen Ellyn.
Thursday, August 21: Car Show
Have you gone to a car show yet this summer? There are several going on tonight, including the Geneva Classic Car Show, Lemont Classic Car Club Cruise Nights, Cruisin Nights in Westmont, and Wheaton Cruise Nights.
Friday, August 22: Food Truck Rally
Enjoy a wide variety of food and dessert trucks, along with entertainment and court games for all ages at the Back to School Food Truck Rally in Medinah.
Saturday, August 23: Family Fun Walk
Start the day with Parkie’s 5k and Family 1-Mile Fun Walk in Bolingbrook and then head to Hodgkins Fest with fireworks, BINGO, food and entertainment.
Sunday, August 24: Art Festivals
Festival of the Arts in Glen Ellyn is returning for its 56th year, featuring children’s entertainment, local artists, and food trucks. The Port Clinton Art Festival in Highland Park has art demonstrations, local food, and kids’ activities.
Monday, August 25: Mini Golf
With dozens of mini golf locations in the Chicago suburbs, you’re sure to find a great spot to practice your putting. We’ve rounded up all the locations; if the weather isn’t cooperating, be sure to check out one of the indoor options.
Tuesday, August 26: Visit a Farm
Check out these local farms that are open to the public where you can explore working farms and also farms with alpacas, sheep, and more. Some require reservations, so be sure to scroll through the list ahead of time.
Wednesday, August 27: Enjoy Cantigny Park for Free
Every Wednesday is Free Parking Wednesday at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Please note that advanced reservations are required for free admission. They have a great playground that has been featured in past editions of our list of the Best Playgrounds for All Ages and you should definitely stop by the tanks and let your kids climb around.
Thursday, August 28: Cougars Game
Kane County Cougars games are great for all ages, full of kids activities, fun promos, food, contests, on-field entertainment, themes, and specials… not to mention great baseball! Click here to get tickets and use the code KIDLIST to get half-off tickets.
Friday, August 29: Last Fling
Last Fling and Labor Day Parade is a four day event in Naperville that starts on Friday and goes through Labor Day. You can enjoy music, food and beverage vendors, a family-fun area, a carnival, unique special events, a business expo, and a parade. You can check the Last Fling website for the full schedule.
Saturday, August 30: Train Saturday
DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton also hosts Train Saturdays where you can see model trains to scale, and you can end the night with the Bloomingdale Fireworks.
Sunday, August 31: Taste of Melrose Park
Taste of Melrose Park is known for their delicious Italian food, so you don’t want to miss that if you love authentic cuisine!
If you want more options for a specific date in August, our Events Calendar is an incredible, searchable resource. Check it out!