Summer Adventures for All Ages: Things to Do with Your Tots AND Teens

Do you have toddlers and teens? Maybe cousins visiting from out of town? Looking for local ideas to have a fun family outing, free from eyerolls or wiggly boredom tantrums? Trust me, we understand. It's hard to please everyone. Luckily for you, we curated a list of 7 experiences and places around Chicagoland that will keep everyone in your family entertained this summer!

This article is sponsored by The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Photo credit: The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Whether your kids are into sports, or adventure, or science, there are plenty of activities around Chicagoland that will be fun for both teenagers and young kids. We've broken down some features that may be interesting to both age groups (as well as the whole family!) so have fun exploring! 

Pro-tip: let the teenagers help in your research (especially helpful for future vacations) and they'll be more likely to show some enthusiasm when it's time to leave!

Let's get planning!

227 Heritage Quarries Dr, Lemont, IL 60439

The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a 300-acre adventure park offering outdoor fun for all ages, abilities and adrenaline levels. Built along an old limestone quarry that was filled in to make the beautiful lake that sits beneath the zipline, the concessions and tables make it a beautiful place to sit and relax while your kids play, or in between adventures if you're brave enough to join them! Here's why we love it for all age groups:

For teens & tweens:

• 🪂 Zipline
• 🧗‍♀️ Adventure ropes course
• 🪓 Axe throwing
• 🏹 Archery
• 🛶 Kayaks & canoes
• 🔫 Outdoor laser tag
• 🚲 BMX Pump Track

For 6 and under:

• 💦 Discovery Zone - nature based play
• 🥅 Adventure Zone - climbing area
• 🤸‍♀️ Inflatable Zone
• 💎 Gemstone Panning Adventure

For the whole family:

• ⛳️ Mini Golf
• 🏎️ Dino Carts
• 🚤 Pedalboats

Bonus: In addition to the everyday fun with their explorer and adventure passes, The Forge: Lemont Quarries hosts many fun events, like Forge Fest on July 12th, and free outdoor movies every Monday! 

Photo credit: The Forge: Lemont Quarries

This may seem like an obvious one, but it can be hard to find pools that have safe toddler areas AND big waterslides that are exciting enough for the older kids. Here are a few of our favorites in the suburbs:

GH20, Glendale Heights

• For teens & tweens:
  • Surfing/wave simulator, diving boards, water slides
• For 6 and under:
  
  • Splash pad, zero depth entry, sand play area

Coral Cove, Carol Stream

• For teens & tweens:
  • Rock climbing wall, diving boards, water slides
• For 6 and under:
  • Dry playground, water play tables, splash island play area

Raging Waves, Yorkville

• For teens & tweens:
  • Wave pool, 32 waterslides, lazy river
• For 6 and under:
  • Splash island, sand play area, two zero depth entry toddler pools with slides

5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL  60637

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (formerly Museum of Science and Industry) is a massive interactive science and technology museum housed in the historic 1893 Palace of Fine Arts, featuring immersive exhibits designed to inspire scientific curiosity across all ages

For teens & tweens:

• Henry Crown Space Center
• The Blue Paradox

For 6 and under: 

• The Idea Factory
• Farm Tech
• The Great Train Story

For the whole family: 

• Coal Mine
• Mirror Maze
• Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition (The brand new exhibit does require extra paid tickets, but it definitely has something for everyone)

34W002 Cherry Lane Geneva, IL 60134

The Kane County Cougars are a professional baseball team based in Geneva, Illinois, competing in the American Association of Professional Baseball – a partner league of Major League Baseball. They are known for being an exceptionally family-friendly introduction to professional baseball games.

For teens & tweens:

• The game! But also, snacks!
• Exclusive experiences, like throwing out the first pitch or being a bat kid for the day

For 6 and under: 

• Kidzone: inflatables, swingset, games, face painting
• Ozzie and Annie’s Kids club for discounts & perks

For the whole family:

• Fireworks after most weekend games
• Complimentary first game certificate
• Special themed nights like superhero night, neon night & star wars night!

1830 Towne Center Dr, North Aurora, IL 60542

Slick City is Illinois’ first indoor “waterless slide park,” and features air courts for basketball and dodgeball, trapeze and zip‑line attractions, a junior jungle and arcade in addition to the slides.

For teens & tweens:

• Giant dry slides (ages 4+)
• Acrobat alley

For 6 and under:

• Junior Jungle playground (under 45 in.) 
• Web crawler

For the whole family:

• Sunday family fun day special - comes with jump passes, pizza, and soda
• Letting the teens sleep in? Take your kids ages 7 and under for the Little Sliders Club Sunday mornings that includes toddler activities, music and crafts!

601 Dundee Ave, East Dundee, IL 60118

Originally opened in 1959, Santa's Village is a Christmas‑themed family destination offering over 20 rides, a petting zoo, and a seasonal water park.

For teens & tweens:

• Thrill rides
• Midway carnival games

For 6 and under:

• Old MacDonald's Barn
• Kiddie carnival rides

For the whole family:

• Santa Springs water park included with admission
• Pictures with Santa every day!

Bonus: Save $$$ on tickets! Use Certifikid to buy your Santa's Village Any-Day Tickets!

Photo Credit: Certifikid

1335 S River St Batavia, IL 60510

Funway in Batavia is a five‑acre family entertainment center. Originally founded as a go‑kart track in 1959, it’s grown into the Fox Valley’s largest entertainment hub.

For teens & tweens:

• Go Karts
• Laser Tag

For 6 and under: 

• Bumper Boats
• Bowling

For the whole family: 

• Mini Golf
• Arcade

Need even more ideas? We send a free weekly email that highlights all the local carnivals, festivals and other guaranteed fun-for-the-whole-family events that are happening around town so you don't miss a thing!

• Get on the Wheaton area list (covers Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Warrenville, Winfield, West Chicago, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and more!)
• Get on the Downers Grove area list (covers Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, La Grange, Lombard, Villa Park, and everywhere in between!) 

Thank you to our article sponsor, The Forge: Lemont Quarries! 

Without the support of local sponsors like them, Macaroni KID would not be able to provide parents with this free resource to find their family fun!