How to Keep Kids Entertained on Chicago’s North Shore This Summer

School’s out for summer … so now what? Take advantage of summer temps with a trip to the pool. Or let your kiddos get all of their energy out at a local sports camp or indoor adventure park. There are endless ways to keep little ones entertained all season long, so start planning your best summer ever today.

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Athletico Center
1900 Old Willow Road, Northbrook
Your kids will love Athletico Center’s summer camps, running June 11 to Aug. 17. Choose from Superstars Camp (featuring sports like basketball and volleyball, plus playground games, crafts, and more; 4-13 years), Specialty Sports Camps (kids will learn the fundamentals and strategic game play of sports like soccer, football, basketball, pickle ball, and baseball; 4-13 years), and Soccer Skills Performance Training Camp (training on fundamental skills and play; 5 and up). There’s no weekly commitments, so you can register only for the days you want to attend (half day or full day), or save when you buy a 20 Day Camp Pass. You can even host your summer birthday parties here and play football, soccer, dodgeball, relay races, and more, plus jump on inflatables.

Athletico Center, Northbrook

Quad Indoor Sports
2454 Oakton St., Evanston
This sports and multi-purpose facility is offering three weeks of camps for kids ages 4-14 this summer: June 11-15, July 16-21, and Aug. 20-24. Kids will have a blast during themed days like Jersey Day, Inflatable Fun, Amazing Race, Wacky Science, and Field Trip Day. You can also celebrate a birthday (or any event) here with time on the field and in the party room, staff on hand to supervise and run games, and add-ons like pizza, cake, and an inflatable bounce slide.

Quad Indoor Sports, Evanston

Water Parks

Of course, it wouldn’t be summer without a trip (or too many to count!) to the pool. Visit the Skokie Water Playground (3459 Oakton St., Skokie) to enjoy five slides, an accessible sprayground, an interactive multi-level play area, lap lanes, and more. And the Wheeling Family Aquatic Center (327 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling) is celebrating its 25th anniversary all summer long with events like Christmas in July (July 14), Parents’ Night Out (July 20), and Flick ’n’ Float: “Moana” (July 25). Or, visit Splash Landings (2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview) for some indoor aquatic fun. This water park features a play pool, lap pool, whirlpool, and therapy pool, plus a family changing room, Wiggles and Giggles Childcare Service, and an Aqua Shop (just in case you forget those goggles or swim diapers).

There are plenty of ways to enjoy some time at the pool on Chicago’s North Shore. Find a complete list of water parks and pools here.

Wheeling Family Aquatic Center, Wheeling

Funtopia Adventure Park
2050 Tower Drive, Glenview
This indoor adventure park boasts fun walls, a rope course, a giant slide, and more for kids and kids at heart. Stop by on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays for Toddler Time (complete with free play, circle time, and crafts and/or cooperative group activities), or drop your kids ages 8-14 off on Wednesdays for Hangout Night (they’ll enjoy Fun Walls, group activities, and pizza). You can even get the entire family in on the fun during Family Fun Fridays (includes one hour of climbing walls and unlimited soft play for kids 8 and younger, pizza, and soda).

Funtopia Adventure Park, Glenview

Beaches

Last, but not least, don't forget this summer classic. Beaches! Dip your toes in Lake Michigan while your little ones splash around, or rent a boat or kayak and get out on the water. Explore any of five different Evanston beaches where daily passes are $8 for adults and $6 for children, or you can buy season passes. Also check out Glencoe Beach, with a children's playground in the sand. Daily passes are $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Season passes are available as well.

Discover all the beaches on Chicago's North Shore here. 

Glencoe Beach, Glencoe

There’s endless fun to be had all summer long on Chicago’s North Shore. For more ideas, check out our information on Family Fun, Beaches, Entertainment, Museums, and Sports Centers.