7 Ways to Bust Summer Boredom And Keep Your Kid Busy In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL - Catapult your kids off of the living room couch with these boredom busting activities. Make your own chalk, sing-a-long at story time or circle the bases just like a Chicago Cub.

There's no time like the present to explore the Windy City with your family! Check out these activities happening around Chicago this summer.

1. Elementary Explorers. Get the youngsters in your family engaged in a group based, problem solving activity. Kids in grades K - 5 are invited to participate in experiments, collaborate on kooky projects and play games with their pals, courtesy of the Chicago Public Library. Elementary Explorers is free and open to children of all skill levels and areas of interest.

Where: Chicago Public Library - Humboldt Park Branch (1605 N. Troy Street)

When: Wednesday Afternoons. 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

2. Get swept away at Story Time.Take a family trip to your local Barnes & Noble for a morning of interactive storytelling. Story Time takes place in the colorful and vibrant Children’s Department and is led by a trained Barnes & Noble staff storyteller. Kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in group artistic activities that accompany the story — singing, dancing and craft projects help to bring the story to life every Wednesday morning. Find a store and a story time near you. Don’t forget to pick up the books from your summer reading list while you’re there!

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

3. DIY Summer Craft: Popsicle Ice Chalk. Break your child out of a summer rut without breaking the bank — or even leaving the house. Check out this easy recipe for Popsicle chalk:

Step 1: Grab a medium sized mixing bowl and combine 1 part water with 1 part Cornstarch. Stir until smooth.

Step 2: Slowly pour the mixture into popsicle molds one at a time. Disperse evenly and lightly tap the bottom of the molds on a hard surface 3-4 times.

Step 3: Add several drops of food coloring to each popsicle mold. For variety, try mixing different colors in a single pop for a vibrant ice chalk surprise.

Step 4: Place the Popsicle molds in the freezer overnight.

Step 5: Chalk it up! Remove your popsicle ice chalk from the molds then head outside and start drawing!

4. Cool off at Centennial Beach. Bring the whole family to Chicago’s largest stone quarry for a swimming experience unlike any other. Sign your child up for the Mudrats Swim Team or simply splash around and relax with friends and family. Centennial Beach offers summer membership packages as well as single-day admission.

Where: Centennial Beach (500 Jackson Ave)

When: May 27 - September 4. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

5. Shop a book fair and support local nonprofits. Whether you’re picking up your child’s summer reading books or snagging the latest bestseller for the beach, shop a Barnes & Noble Book Fair and a portion of your business will go towards supporting students in grades K-12 in your district. Find a Book Fair near you to contribute to local fundraising efforts for nonprofits and schools in your area.

Find this event at a Barnes & Noble near you

6) Run the Bases at Wrigley Field. Sunday afternoon home games are dedicated to celebrating the Chicago Cubs youngest fans. The first 1,000 kids under the age of 13 will get the chance to run the bases of Wrigley Field, a regulation Major League Baseball diamond, before the game. Simply request a wristband from your ticket taker at the stadium entrance.

Where: Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison Street)

When: Sunday Afternoons, check the Cubs Season Schedule for exact times

7) Catch a movie at the Cascade Drive-In. Load up the family van for a unique vehicular viewing experience this summer. The Cascade is pet friendly, has a full, working concession stand and screens all of the feature films you’ve been dying to see. It’s open rain or shine, so cruise over to the Cascade and catch the latest flick from the comfort of your car.

Where: The Cascade Drive-In (1100 North Avenue)

When: Weekends, box office opens at 7:00 p.m.

Image via Unsplash; Photo by Ben White