Updated March 2026 • Curated by NaperKids
Award-winning school. 3 weeks free martial arts training + complimentary uniform for new students. Family-friendly, 50+ years expertise.
Fitness classes for moms with kids in strollers. First class free. Great way to meet other parents.
Coding and robotics programs for kids, with courses ranging from beginner coding to Minecraft, Robotics, and drones. Free trial class available.
Nonprofit organization serving students from Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, and Oswego. Offers seven sports for athletes with special needs, several affil...
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship providing financial assistance to low-income and disadvantaged persons for formal education or occup...
Free events and programs serving 45,000+ kids in DuPage and Will counties since 2001. Prevents problems before they start by equipping youth and famil...
Hidden gem. Unique museum with Chinese jade carvings, animal dioramas, mineral specimens, gemstones, interactive geological exhibits. Fully accessible...
Free children's programs and events at North Aurora's public library.
Wednesday drop-in group (10am-11:30am) for new moms and infants. Topics include dental health for babies, infant CPR and choking, tummy time sessions,...
Under 14 always free. Illinois residents get free admission on winter weekdays 11am-close through end of Feb 2026. Also free for Chicago teens under 1...
1,700 acres. Four-acre Children's Garden with climbing structures, secret streams, paved paths, wooden bridges. Maze Garden (shrub maze + toddler maze...
500-acre park. Tank Park (kids can climb tanks!), playground, gardens, walking trails, water features, picnic grounds. McCormick Museum and First Divi...
Hidden gem. FREE admission. 13,000-year-old woolly mammoth skeleton, microscopes, spotting scopes, animal tracks. Nature backpacks available for trail...
40+ acres of forest along Fox River. Live animal exhibits, hands-on learning stations, 6 hiking trails. Summer camps for ages 2-13. Free parking. Phon...
Outdoor trails and interactive nature center where kids learn about local wildlife and ecosystems.
Free drop-in Nature Discovery Days during winter (Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar) and two weeks each summer (August). Indoor self-guided activities for families w...
Park especially good for young children 1-5 years. Features noise-making toys, rocking horses, large green dome with holes, smaller playgrounds with s...
Universally accessible playground in the heart of DuPage County Forest Preserve's Danada South. Offers multi-sensory experiences for seeing, hearing, ...
Remove Sensory Storytime program; note that all programs require registration unless marked as 'Drop-in' in title
Includes collaborative art projects and special themed events (e.g., Black History Month art projects).
1.75-mile pathway along the DuPage River featuring gardens, fountains, bridges, and splash areas. Free to enter. Hosts free activities and music throu...
Ninja gym with obstacle courses. Kids and adult open gym sessions (4 kids, 3 adult per week). Drop-ins welcome. Camps, parties, and competitions avail...
Free after-school drop-in activities, mentoring, tutoring, clubs, life skills classes, leadership opportunities, volunteer opportunities.
Free family event at 5:30pm. Check library events calendar for upcoming dates.
Hiking, picnicking, archery, fishing, boating, tubing, camping. Camping Fri-Sat nights May-September. Great for family outings.
Free STEM sessions at Commissioners Park on Mondays from 2-5 PM. Exposes elementary and middle school students to diverse STEM topics through hands-on...
FREE. Scenic strolls, picnicking, open-air amphitheater with seasonal concerts and movie nights.
Includes Storytime at the Museum, IKEA Storytime, bilingual storytime, cultural crafts, and LEGO Club (grades 1-5). Free to all but registration requi...
FREE storytimes: Great Beginnings (birth-23mo), Preschool Storytime (3-5yr), Family Storytime (Saturdays, no registration). Sensory Supported Storytim...
Free admission, tours by appointment Wed-Sat 10am-4pm. Kids Time is a free family event for play and museum exploration. Kids Train Club also availabl...
Always free. One of the last free zoos in the country. Worth the 45-min drive from Naperville.
Worth the drive. Check chicagochildrensmuseum.org for all 2026 free days.
Sitting areas, lighted picnic spots, egret sculpture garden, canoe access along the Fox River.
Provides food and support to over 10,000 people weekly in Naperville and DuPage County. Programs include weekly food assistance, infant care packages ...
Over 40 free children's programs weekly across three locations. Includes storytimes, craft classes, special events, summer reading programs, outdoor s...
Painting, ceramics, collage classes. Phone: 630-682-5402 ext. 333.
Oswegoland Park District's first splash pad with 17 spray and play features. Seasonal outdoor.
Stories, songs, and literacy-based activities for school preparation. IPPL cardholder exclusive; registration required. Also offers early literacy pro...
Check events page regularly for special events, parents' night out, and possible free open gym promotions. Download their app for latest updates.
FREE weekly storytimes (Family Storytime on Thursdays), STEAM activities, arts & crafts sessions. Escape Room: Magical Land of Oz (teams of 2-6). Regi...
All Children's Room programs are free and open to the public. Storytime with stories, music, rhymes. Process art for preschool ages 4-5. Pokemon Go wa...
Annual events: Village Picnic (Art in the Park, petting zoo, scavenger hunt, fishing derby), Wednesday Night Summer Concerts (Roger C. Claar Performin...
Nonprofit providing expert grief support for children ages 5-18, families, and adults experiencing loss. Youth and family bereavement support. Service...
Free zoo established 1915 with 100+ animals from 41 species. Bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, otters, reptile house. Free splash pad and playgroun...
FREE bowling for kids through the KidsBowlFree.com program during summer. Sign up online for free game passes.
Free storytimes: Baby Storytime, Baby & Toddler Storytime, Storytime ages 4-7, Sensory Storytime (inclusive/sensory-friendly). Also science programs (...
9-hole par 27 course, driving range, mini golf. Junior program welcomes 200+ kids/year. Perfect for beginners - short course without pressure. 3rd gen...
Weekly storytimes for different ages. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. 2026 Bookmark Contest (grades K-8). Children's area has light-up wall, ...
Weekly story times, craft sessions, and STEM programs tailored for children.
YS Play Area with forts, mini climbing wall, games, LiteZilla. Take & Make crafts. Explore More Illinois (free museum/attraction passes for cardholder...
FREE. Great for kids interested in animals and birdwatching. Connect with local wildlife.
Offers Adaptive Play Time and Sensory Friendly Saturday programs with modified environments for children with disabilities, autism, and sensory proces...
Nationally accredited 5-acre zoo with 150+ animals representing 60+ native Illinois species including bobcats, foxes, goats, and sheep. Free admission...
Basketball, swimming, crafts, cooking. 'We Are Aurora Youth' offers free meals noon-4PM at designated centers. Summer youth programs available. A.R.I....
Free weekly storytime at participating locations. No registration needed. Store hours: Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 11-7. Call (331) 288-9766 to confirm.
FREE open gym for littles. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:30-11am. Safe, encouraging play space with age-appropriate toys and activities. Part of Community C...
Free after-school and summer programs. Gym, conference room, multi-purpose room, open recreation area. Open Mon-Sat.
City-run summer youth programs including camps, activities, and free meal programs.
Language immersion program at select elementary schools for students from both English and Spanish speaking households. Promotes bilingualism starting...
Known for Fall Fest events with pumpkins, hayrides, and self-feed petting zoo. Spend the day meeting farm animals and feeding them.
June 18-21, 2026. Kendall County's largest festival. Free concerts, carnival rides, petting zoo, pony rides, 5K race, Father's Day parade, business ex...
60 forest preserves, 500+ miles of trails. Nature centers have free exhibits. Check calendar of events for free nature programs for kids.
Must register online ahead of time. One parent can register up to 4 children. Upcoming: Mar 7 Leprechaun Trap, Apr 4 Farm Planter. Kids get to keep wh...
Family-owned indoor playground with 4-story play structure, slides, tunnels, foam obstacles, and mazes. Designated toddler zone. Cafe for parents with...
Family farm with petting zoo for over 33 years. Friendly farm animals to pet and feed. Free pony rides on Saturdays & Sundays in October (11am-5pm). P...
Spring Break week activities in Billy Graham Center Museum, Sports & Rec Complex, Wade Center. Story time, scavenger hunts, open gym, open pool, movie...
Free DIY workshops for kids at participating locations. Registration required. Recent project: Birdhouse (Feb 21).
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 8am-8pm. Toddler Time: Tue/Thu 10am-12pm, Sun 8-10am (under 46" only, parent/child). Jump socks requir...
Connects residents to essential health and human services. Available 24/7 with interpreting for non-English speakers. Dial 2-1-1 or text zip code to T...
Full-service YMCA with youth programs including swimming, gymnastics, sports, and childcare.
Bowling (dragon ball ramps for young kids), laser tag, 100+ arcade games, high ropes, VR. Full restaurant. Kids Bowl Free program in summer. Mon-Thu 1...
Official village events calendar with community events, festivals, and family activities.
Modified play and learning environment for children with disabilities, on the autism spectrum, and/or sensory processing disorders and their families....
Step back in time to experience 1890s DuPage County farm life. Restored farmstead with historically-costumed interpreters. Hands-on farm activities fo...
Founded 2009 as Naperville Moms Network, rebranded 2019. Over 80,000 mom members in western suburbs. Hosts Moms Nights, kid playgroups, special events...
Seasonal event with food trucks, live music, vendors, scavenger hunt, lantern launch. Kids under 8 free.
Naperville offers dozens of free kids activities including library programs, community center events, free trial classes at local businesses, outdoor nature programs, and seasonal festivals throughout the year.
Yes! Many Naperville organizations offer free summer programs including library reading challenges, park programs, community center activities, and free trial weeks at camps and studios.
The Naperville and Nichols libraries offer free storytimes, STEM programs, and craft activities. Many local businesses also host free open play days, demos, and community events.