Family events in Aurora, IL

North Aurora Days 2026 is a festival taking place at North Aurora Riverfront Park. It runs across two days, August 7–8, 2026, in North Aurora, Illinois.

This outdoor giant bubble show at Block 59 features kids inside bubbles and bubbles bigger than cars. TwistiCity brings more than 10 years of experience to the performance. Lazy Dog will be on site with temporary tattoos, stickers, creative coloring activities, and sweet cookie treats. It combines big bubbly visuals with hands-on fun for kids and a little treat for everyone.

Downtown Aurora transforms for the Stolp Island Block Party, a free community celebration featuring live music, food trucks, local artists and makers, and family friendly activities. Attendees can grab a bite, dance to live music, and explore creative works from local makers in a lively neighborhood setting. Open to all ages, it celebrates local creativity and community spirit with something for everyone.

Visitors can enjoy free museum admission and activities during First Fridays in August.

Give your ninja a fun evening at Ultimate Ninjas Academy in Naperville with a Zootopia themed drop-off night. The plan features ninja activities to kick things off, pizza for dinner, time to watch Zootopia, and more ninja fun before pickup. Pricing is $40 for members and $50 for non-members, with a 15 percent discount for siblings. This event takes place at Ultimate Ninjas Academy, which is a different location than the separate Ultimate Ninjas facility elsewhere in Naperville.

At the Chasers Card & Collectible Exchange Show, enthusiasts can buy, sell, trade, and expand their collections. Highlights include Counterhoard Tokens, high-end sports cards, and other collectibles, along with laser tag and arcade activities. Admission is $1, and kids 12 and under get in free. A VIP Experience is available with early access, unlimited laser tag, and extra arcade perks.

Set out on a family friendly, guided evening paddle that combines an easygoing kayak trip with campfire s’mores. This short outing welcomes all skill levels and concludes at the Athletic Club with sunset views over the Fox River and a relaxed chance to meet fellow paddlers around the fire. The experience begins at the Aurora Athletic Club, where participants park before taking a shuttle to North Aurora Island Park. On shore, everyone is fitted with a paddle and personal flotation device and receives dryland instruction on the essentials, including paddling straight, turning, stopping, and staying balanced and comfortable. After the briefing, the guide helps with launching, and the group sets off on the water. Participants must be at least 15 years old and a minimum of 100 pounds. Children riding in a tandem kayak with an adult must weigh at least 30 pounds and be able to follow directions. Howling Wolfe Canoe and Kayak provides the kayaks, PFDs, paddles, guide, shuttle service, ingredients for s’mores, and those golden hour views.

Watch nesting herons, egrets, and cormorants in action, with a chance to spot a resident bald eagle. To protect the colony during nesting season, access is restricted, so wildlife viewing is available only during designated public hours. Volunteers and staff will be on hand at the viewing platform and the visitor center to answer questions. This free program welcomes all ages and does not require registration. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for the best views, and use the preserve parking lot. For the protection of this designated nature preserve, dogs and bicycles are not allowed in the Heron Rookery. The viewing platform is reached by a crushed limestone trail that can be uneven. Anyone who needs an auxiliary aid or service should submit a request at least 48 hours before the program.

Now in its third year, this 3v3 soccer classic honors the life of Gianna Lamb with a family friendly day of games, entertainment, and community spirit. The event takes place at the soccer complex at Arranmore Farm + Polo Club in Oswego, Illinois. Boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade can compete, with options for recreational and competitive players. Off the field, there will be food and beverage trucks, live music, a DJ, raffle prizes, and extra activities for kids. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a day centered on soccer and togetherness.

An open play session at Ultimate Ninjas Academy invites children ages 3 to 8 to take on bigger ninja-style challenges with guidance from an adult or a coach. The gym offers kid-friendly versions of obstacles seen on TV, including monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, and a warped wall, along with additional stations to explore. For questions, call 312-500-2040 or email melissa@ultimateninjas.com.

Chess enthusiasts of every age and skill level are invited to a relaxed community night at Block 59 with Elite Chess. Drop-in play is available throughout the event, and Elite Chess instructors offer mini lessons. A blitz tournament is included, with prizes for winners and giveaways for attendees. The format is flexible, so participants can play a few games, grab dinner from a Block 59 restaurant, and return for more chess and conversation. RSVP is requested.

Kids ages 3 to 8 can experience an open play session at Ultimate Ninjas Academy that introduces bigger ninja challenges with help from an adult or a coach. Participants can try obstacles such as monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, and a warped wall, along with other TV-inspired elements sized for younger kids.

This free, family friendly concert takes place at McDonald Farm, where guests may bring lawn chairs and beverages and relax to live music in a pastoral setting. This date in the summer series features The Milkman’s Kid, with Good Omen Gyoza and Sno Problems providing food and treats. In the event of clearly unfavorable weather or conditions that make setup unsafe, the concert will be canceled. Lightning or thunder during the program will also result in cancellation and attendees will be sent home. Notices will be posted on Facebook and the website, and a sign at the farm driveway will indicate that the event is canceled. Support for this series comes from Bartlett Tree Experts, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., GreenState Credit Union and What WE Make.

Designed for first-time students ages 7 to 12, this beginner-friendly Kids Aerial class at Rondi’s introduces the foundations of aerial in a fun and encouraging setting. No prior experience is required. Through playful movement and creative exploration, participants build confidence, coordination, and strength while learning basic skills. The experience focuses on trying new things, making friends, and discovering the excitement of lifting off the ground.

This 20 minute trolley ride is designed for children and rolls around Naperville with children’s music playing along the way. Riders can search for items from an optional list during the trip, and everyone gets to ring the bell at the end for a cheerful ding ding. The cost is $10.00.

Explore modern Naperville while learning about its past on a one-hour trolley ride. The route highlights downtown, North Central College, the Historic District, Century Walk art, Park District areas, the Police and Fire campus, Naper Settlement, and additional sights around the city. Cost is $25.

The Naperville Public Library presents an outdoor story time with a summertime twist, featuring read-alouds, music, and dancing for children of all ages and their caregivers. It offers a chance to learn, play, and spend quality time together in a welcoming setting. Every child who participates receives a “Top Dog” award courtesy of Lazy Dog, which includes a voucher for a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an entree that can be used to celebrate after the event. Seating is limited and provided by Block 59, so bring a picnic blanket or camping chairs for comfort.

The Naper Settlement Farmers Market offers a relaxed afternoon of free local shopping, live music, activities for children, and classes focused on food and nature, all set outdoors on the museum grounds. A new feature, Down on the Farm Hour, brings families together for performances, story time, and more. Adults can take part in free sessions with community organizations and local experts on topics such as backyard chickens and beekeeping. Visitors can also discover the new We the People: Naperville and the American Story exhibit and step inside historic buildings like the blacksmith shop and the one-room schoolhouse. Admission is free.

Warm up for Cruise Night with a stop at Village Green, where JG’s Reptile Road Show brings a family friendly performance to the pavilion. The show goes on rain or shine under cover. No registration is required, just arrive and enjoy. This installment is part of the monthly pre-Cruise Night series that has also featured Twist City Bubbles and Scales & Tales Traveling Zoo.

Cruise Nights bring themed car showcases to Lockport Street in Plainfield, offering a relaxed stroll past favorite Downtown spots. RE/MAX Ultimate Professionals will be there with popcorn, giveaways, and updates on current real estate news. If you have questions about the housing market, visit on Tuesdays throughout the summer.

Celebrate an AG Doll theme with a pop up hip hop dance party paired with a creative craft. This class is designed for children ages 5 to 8. The fee is $25 per class, and registration is required.

Experience hands-on fishing instruction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Fishing Program at Lake Patterson in Oakhurst Forest Preserve. Educators guide participants through essentials like casting, tying knots, identifying fish, and practicing responsible angling. Bring your own gear or borrow rods and tackle, available in limited quantities. Standard Illinois fishing regulations and any site-specific rules apply. The clinic is free and no registration is required.

Middle school girls in grades 5 through 8 can take part in a six-week creative arts group focused on building confidence, exploring emotions, and strengthening self-esteem in a supportive, engaging setting. Sessions blend art-making, mindfulness, hands-on activities, and thoughtful conversation to help participants release perfectionism, embrace creativity, and notice how feelings show up in the body. Along the way, they practice self-love, positive affirmations, and intention setting, transform worries and self-doubt through creative expression, and clarify personal goals while boosting motivation. The group also encourages connection and helps each participant identify supportive people in her life. No prior art experience is needed, only a willingness to create, explore, and grow. Cost is $35 per session, with the option to bill through insurance. For registration and additional details, contact the organizer.