Outdoor activities, nature programs, and farms for kids in Naperville. Hiking, nature education, and outdoor adventures.
26 activitiesUpdated March 2026 • Curated by NaperKids
Outdoor trails and interactive nature center where kids learn about local wildlife and ecosystems.
1.75-mile pathway along the DuPage River featuring gardens, fountains, bridges, and splash areas. Free to enter. Hosts f...
Park especially good for young children 1-5 years. Features noise-making toys, rocking horses, large green dome with hol...
Free drop-in Nature Discovery Days during winter (Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar) and two weeks each summer (August). Indoor self-gu...
Nationally accredited 5-acre zoo with 150+ animals representing 60+ native Illinois species including bobcats, foxes, go...
Family farm with petting zoo for over 33 years. Friendly farm animals to pet and feed. Free pony rides on Saturdays & Su...
Fall festival with corn maze, pumpkin patch, outdoor family activities, bouncing trampoline, zip lines, petting zoo, sli...
40+ acres of forest along Fox River. Live animal exhibits, hands-on learning stations, 6 hiking trails. Summer camps for...
Nature education and programs through the city's parks system.
Zero-depth entry leisure pool, drop-off slides, twisting enclosed body flume slides, kid-friendly spray area, lap swimmi...
Grain bin sandbox, spring animals, pedal tractors, pony rides, gem mining, train rides, face painting. Seasonal (fall po...
Premier indoor/outdoor soccer facility. Lil' Kickers (18mo-7yr), skills development (8-10yr), 3v3, Futsal leagues. Off W...
FREE. Open grass field, basketball hoop, children's play structure, swings.
FREE. Great for kids interested in animals and birdwatching. Connect with local wildlife.
Seasonal outdoor water park. 11 attractions: 5 water slides (2 flume, 2 free fall, 1 tot slide), zero-depth shallow end,...
1,700 acres. Four-acre Children's Garden with climbing structures, secret streams, paved paths, wooden bridges. Maze Gar...
500-acre park. Tank Park (kids can climb tanks!), playground, gardens, walking trails, water features, picnic grounds. M...
Hiking, picnicking, archery, fishing, boating, tubing, camping. Camping Fri-Sat nights May-September. Great for family o...
Water slides, splash pads, family-friendly water park. Seasonal - opens summer 2026. Hours: Mon-Thu 12-7pm, Fri 11:30am-...
Oswegoland Park District's first splash pad with 17 spray and play features. Seasonal outdoor.
Sitting areas, lighted picnic spots, egret sculpture garden, canoe access along the Fox River.
Always free. One of the last free zoos in the country. Worth the 45-min drive from Naperville.
60 forest preserves, 500+ miles of trails. Nature centers have free exhibits. Check calendar of events for free nature p...
22 summer day camps for kids and teens
Horse riding lessons indoor and outdoor arenas
Garden store and learning center with themed gardens and children's workshops