Categories: Parenting

Summer Family Fun in Chicago – Cheap!

Having trouble keeping the kids entertained while keeping the budget in check? Have you been burned on a festival that seemed like a good idea for a family outing but ended up being a family flop? Here are some tips to keep the family (and wallet) happy this summer.

Festivals: Family-friendly vs Family Fiasco

Lots of festivals welcome kids, but they’re so bustling, crowded, and pricey that the fest turns quickly from a family outing to a frantic mess of overpaying for food, trying to keep kids close in a heavy crowd, or trying to find anything specifically for kids in an event where there are more beer tents than toilets.

The big festivals like Taste of Chicago aren’t anywhere near as family friendly as they were just ten years ago. The crowds, the expensive food tickets, and this year’s increase in Taste-related violence are enough to scare off any family. There are alternatives, and they’re pretty easy to spot. For example, while the Dragon Race for Literacy might look like a good pick from its description, a second look might clue you in that it’s not a place where kids would have much fun.

First, it’s a boat race. You and your family can see the boats go by but that’s about it. Unless you know one of the participants or your kids have a very strong interest in boats and boat racing, it’s just going to be your group standing around with not much to do or talk about. Notice the list of guest celebrities mentions people from “the different political offices? Yeah, unless you have an Alex Keaton in your clan, this isn’t the place for you.

The Family Fun Festival at Millenium Park is a great choice for kids, but not such a great one for teens. Target has been sponsoring this event for a few years now with great success. It runs all summer with special activities throughout, so if you can make it down there on week days you might be able to avoid the big crowds.

For families with teens, the West Fest would be a good choice. Local bands and a hipper vibe might get you less eye-rolling from your teen, and there’s even a kid’s fest section for the younger ones. Teens might also like the ECHO Chainsaw Carving Team.

For air-conditioned fun, there’s always the Chicago Cultural Center, which often has concerts and family activities for those looking to escape the summer heat. (Check the Events section of that link.)

Free passes to museums and zoos

One of the best-kept secrets in Chicagoland are the free passes you can pick up from the libraries for general admission to museums and the Brookfield Zoo. Not just from the city libraries, but from suburban libraries too! Check out museumadventure.org to see which libraries and museums participate.

Of course, if you don’t have time to plan ahead for a pass, you could always drop by the museums on their free days!

The Art Institute has free general admission every Thursday from 5-8 year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they have free admission on Fridays from 5-8.

The Museum of Science and Industry has free days throughout the year. Check their free days page for more details.

The Chicago Children’s Museum has free admission the first Sunday of every month for kids under 15. They also have free admission for everyone every Thursday evening from 5-8 pm.

The Field Museum has free admission every second Monday of the month.

And of course there are all the places that are free all the time, like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Garfield Park Conservatory, to name a few. It’s free admission, but not free parking. Read on to see how to get around town on a budget.

Saving money on food and parking during a family outing

Metra has a slew of money-saving programs, from the $7 weekend pass to letting kids under 11 ride free on weekends and some holidays. Of course, the train stations are a hike from most of the family-friendly events and venues, and a walk that far with little kids will almost always get the day off to a grumpy start. So why not take the free trolley?

Yes, the free trolley! It runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With stops at Ogilve and Union stations, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Museum Campus, and many stops in between, it’s a great way to get around town for free. For some reason, it’s really hard to find info on these trolleys, so click here for a printable PDF map of the trolley lines and hours of operation.

To save money on food, invest in a rolling cooler and stock it with picnic food and plenty of water. Make sure your clan eats a solid meal before heading out; having a full belly helps cut down on requests for whatever expensive food is being sold when you’re out and about.