May is here, and with that comes quite a bit to celebrate! The first Saturday in May, libraries all throughout the suburbs recognize Free Comic Book Day. These offers are usually while supplies last, so don’t delay. Saturday also happens to be May the 4th, unofficially recognized as Star Wars Day to all who celebrate. Visit with Darth Vader or make lightsaber crafts, you must. On Sunday, round out an already fun-filled weekend with Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Our list of things to do with kids this weekend will have you celebrating all weekend long, but don’t forget to tag us on social media using #sharekidlist so we can follow along.
This weekend planner is sponsored by Chicago Children’s Chorus.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Western Suburbs
Please check the details before you go to these events to ensure you know about registration requirements and additional info to maximize your family’s fun. While we do our best to keep the most up-to-date information in our calendar, last minute location or time changes do happen. Want to find “weekend events near me”? We have you covered!
Friday
Woodridge’s Motion Explosion is an annual favorite, visit a new food vendor at Downtown Aurora’s Food Truck Festival, or win prizes at Glen Ellyn’s Family Bingo Night, hosted at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center.
Twin Leaf Tales (Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, St. Charles)
May 3, 2024 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Hosted with the St. Charles Public Library. Register in advance.
Duplo Fun (Downers Grove Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 10:00am – 11:30am
Story Time with NPL (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Included in general admission.
Molly Morrell and her Ukulele (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Included in general admission.
Motion Explosion (Woodridge)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 3, 2024 | 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Homeschool Hangout (Wheaton Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Register in advance.
Film Festival Fridays (North Riverside Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
First Friday: Fantastic Food Firsts (Geneva Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Family Bingo Night (Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, Glen Ellyn)
May 3, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Food Truck Festival (Downtown Aurora)
May 3, 2024 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Held in conjunction with First Fridays festivities.
Summer Concert Series (Downtown Wheaton)
May 3, 2024 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Kids and Families Boardgame Night (Lisle Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Flying High Pizza Fun Night (Countryside)
May 3, 2024 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Register in advance for discounted admission.
Chicago Children’s Chorus Auditions
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube Audition Video
Auditions are OPEN NOW for the Chicago Chapter of the National Children’s Chorus Fall 2024 Season! The GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus, based in Evanston on Wednesday evenings, provides children ages 5 to 18 the opportunity to learn and grow in an extraordinary musical environment. The country’s leading music educators work with students weekly to develop their vocal and musicianship skills from the most basic concepts through the college level.
In addition to local seasonal performances, students in the Senior Division have the exclusive opportunity to participate in annual international summer tours, summer opera academy, and national concerts at premier venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall. With a spectacular music-reading and theory curriculum to accompany its first-rate vocal training, the National Children’s Chorus is an unparalleled educational resource for children who love to sing. Don’t waste another minute, set up a virtual audition today!
Saturday
Visit Lilacia Park in Lombard for Lilac Time festivities, Go Fly a Kite at Graf Park in Wheaton, or join the fun at Country in the Park, hosted at the Downers Grove Museum.
Wheaton French Market (Downtown Wheaton)
May 4, 2024 | 8:00am – 2:00pm
Lisle French Market (Downtown Lisle)
May 4, 2024 | 8:00am – 1:00pm
Home Depot Workshop (Check your local store)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Free Comic Book Day (Batavia Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
May the Fourth – Star Wars Day (Lemont Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Free Comic Book Day and May the 4th Fanfest (Geneva Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day (Aurora Public Libraries)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Spring Artisan Marketplace (Arts in Bartlett)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Free Comic Book Day (La Grange Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Characters on Water Street (Downtown Naperville)
May 4, 2024 | 9:30am – 11:30am
Star Wars characters.
Go Nuts for Donuts Storytime (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
May 4, 2024 | 9:30am – 11:00am
Stay and Play at The Library (Woodridge Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 11:00am
STEM Stations (Westmont Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Supported Storytime (Geneva Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops (Check your local store)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Cookies and Crayons (Lisle Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Touch a Truck (Maryknoll Park, Glen Ellyn)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Go Fly a Kite (Graf Park, Wheaton)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Free Comic Book Day (Wheaton Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Art in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 10:30am – 2:30pm
Alice in Wonderland Scavenger Hunt (Downtown La Grange)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am and 3:00pm start times
Purchase tickets in advance.
Cicada Program (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Included in general admission.
Star Wars Day (St. Charles Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
May the Fourth Be With You (West Chicago Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
Dual Language Storytime: Korean (95th Street Library, Naperville)
May 4, 2024 | 11:30am – 12:00pm
Polish Constitution Day Parade and Concert (Grant Park, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 11:30am – 4:00pm
Naperville Food Truck Festival (Naper Settlement, Naperville)
May 4, 2024 | 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Country in the Park (Downers Grove Museum)
May 4, 2024 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Lilac Time (Lilacia Park, Lombard)
May 4, 2024 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Spring into Life at Camp Fire (Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook)
May 4, 2024 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
May the Fourth Festivities (Santori Library, Aurora)
May 4, 2024 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Jr. Road Rally (Warrenville)
May 4, 2024 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Free to watch, register to participate.
Summer Concert Series (Downtown Wheaton)
May 4, 2024 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Sunday
Explore the Spring Festival at Thatcher Woods Pavilion in River Forest, or visit Lisle’s Kids Time at the Museum. Don’t forget to register for Elmhurst’s Bike Ride and Safety Day if you’re hoping to participate.
Low-Sensory Mornings (Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 8:30am – 9:30am
Register in advance.
Parent Education Workshop (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
May 5, 2024 | 8:30am – 10:00am
Register in advance.
Geneva French Market (Downtown Geneva)
May 5, 2024 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
Glen Ellyn French Market
May 5, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Great Midwest Train Show (DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton)
May 5, 2024 | 9:00am – 3:00pm
Market on Canal (Downtown Lemont)
May 5, 2024 | 9:00am – 3:00pm
Bike Ride and Safety Day (The Depot/Safety Town, Elmhurst)
May 5, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Register in advance.
Lilac Times Arts and Craft Fair (Downtown Lombard)
May 5, 2024 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Art in Wilder Park (Elmhurst)
May 5, 2024 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 10:30am – 2:30pm
Kids Time at the Museum (Lisle)
May 5, 2024 | 10:30am – 11:30am
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 11:00am – 6:00pm
Cinco De Mayo Celebration (North Riverside Park Mall)
May 5, 2024 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Spring Festival (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
May 5, 2024 | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Sand Ridge Service Days (South Holland)
May 5, 2024 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Sunday Makebreak (Michaels Craft Stores)
May 5, 2024 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Participation Celebration (La Grange Public Library)
May 5, 2024 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Take Note Spring Concert (Lisle)
May 5, 2024 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Northwest Suburbs
We strive to answer the question “Where can I find weekend events near me?” Our team takes care to stock the calendar full of kid-friendly fun, but please keep in mind that last minute changes to events do happen. We recommend clicking through to the event details to double check if there has been a change in registration requirements and to get additional information before you go. Have fun!
Friday
Stay indoors at Palatine Public Library’s Family Game Day or get outside for Buffalo Grove’s Kite Fly. Navy Pier kicks off their weekend-long celebration of Mexico Fest.
Drop In Crafts (Rolling Meadows Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 9:00am – 8:00pm
Bilingual Spanish Storytime (Palatine Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Register in advance.
Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Friday Fun Day (Wood Dale Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 4:30pm
Spring Bazaar (Sheila Ray Adult Center, Elk Grove Village)
May 3, 2024 | 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 3, 2024 | 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Family Game Day (Palatine Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Stories and Snacks (Schiller Park Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Young Artists Workshops: Fantasy Houses (Prospect Heights Public Library)
May 3, 2024 | 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Kite Fly (Reiner Park, Buffalo Grove)
May 3, 2024 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Saturday
There’s fun everywhere in the northwest suburbs on Saturday. Algonquin is hosting their Touch-a-Truck, Schaumburg is hosting their Spring Fest, and Bloomingdale is hosting their Stratford Park Ribbon Cutting and 60th Anniversary Kickoff Event.
Palatine Farmers’ Market
May 4, 2024 | 7:00am – 1:00pm
Home Depot Workshop (Check your local store)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
1st Saturday Children’s Craft (Bartlett Depot Museum)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Growin’ Green Garden Market (Addison)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
DuPage River Sweep (Springbrook Nature Center, Itasca)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Free Comic Book Day (Rolling Meadows Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Free Comic Book Day (Mount Prospect Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Touch-a-Truck (Algonquin)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops (Check your local store)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Big Trucks (Family Aquatic Center, Palatine)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club (Palatine Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 4:30pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 10:30am – 2:30pm
Craft Supply Swap (Prospect Heights Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Touch a Tractor at Crabtree (Barrington)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
KidFest (Citizens Park, Barrington)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
Stratford Park Ribbon Cutting and 60th Anniversary Kickoff Event (Bloomingdale)
May 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Polish Constitution Day Parade and Concert (Grant Park, Chicago)
May 4, 2024 | 11:30am – 4:00pm
Spring Fest (Bock Neighborhood Center, Schaumburg)
May 4, 2024 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Star Wars Day: May The 4th Be With You (Elmwood Park Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Minds Matter: Mental Health Fair (Schaumburg Township District Library)
May 4, 2024 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Palatine Children’s Chorus – Spring Concert
May 4, 2024 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Star Wars Family Bingo (Mount Prospect Public Library)
May 4, 2024 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Sunday
There’s something for all interests on Sunday afternoon. Visit River Trail Nature Center’s Frog Frenzy in Northbrook, join the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club at Palatine Public Library, or celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Elmwood Park Public Library.
Low-Sensory Mornings (Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 8:30am – 9:30am
Register in advance.
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 10:30am – 2:30pm
Touch A Truck Family Festival (Kohl Children’s Musem, Glenview)
May 5, 2024 | 10:30am – 2:00pm
Register in advance.
Sensory-Friendly Hour (Park Ridge Public Library)
May 5, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Mexico Fest (Navy Pier, Chicago)
May 5, 2024 | 11:00am – 6:00pm
Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club (Palatine Public Library)
May 5, 2024 | 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Frog Frenzy (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
May 5, 2024 | 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Sunday Makebreak (Michaels Craft Stores)
May 5, 2024 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cinco de Mayo (Elmwood Park Public Library)
May 5, 2024 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
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 can filter the calendar by day by clicking the date on top, so if you are looking for things to do on a specific day, it’s easy to find!
You might also be interested in…
We hope you found some family-friendly fun in our list of things to do with kids this weekend in the west and northwest 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.)
We love local businesses, libraries, park districts, villages, and organizations — they plan great events for all of us to enjoy. If you are hosting an event or know of an event 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 see so many weekend events listed. It would definitely be easier to just list the details for a few events and call them “the best weekend events for families”, but we recognize that everyone has different interests. Not to mention, sometimes I’m in the mood to go to a huge festival, and sometimes I’d rather go to a low-key storytime at the library. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. That’s why we work hard and spend a lot of time to find everything going on in our area so you don’t have to!
We hope you find it helpful and we are open to suggestions. The Kidlist Team always talks about how we can improve and evolve to meet your needs, so let us know!
