Family events in Elgin, IL

Designed for children ages 4 and up, this drop off day camp offers four hours of creative fun for $68. Participants rotate through stations and complete multiple art projects, with activities that can include a Cookies and Canvas session, pottery painting, slime or squishies, or a one day workshop, along with open studio time. Daily activity lineups vary and are posted by the organizer. Pack a sack lunch, a snack, and a water bottle.

Little adventurers ages 5 and under can jump, climb, and slide through select areas of the park during a dedicated play session. Admission is $9.99 per child, and Urban Air socks are required and not included. One parent or guardian enters free with each participating child, and tickets are sold at the park. During summer break, the park welcomes guests of all ages, and the Jumperoo special still applies to children 5 and under. For more information, call (630) 584-8171.

Designed for little adventurers under 40 inches, this indoor play time offers climbing, jumping, sliding, and plenty of room to explore in a spacious adventure park. Admission is $9.99 per child, with Urban Air socks required and not included. One parent or guardian is admitted at no charge with each participating child, and tickets are available for purchase at the park. During summer break, the park welcomes guests of all ages while the Jumperoo special remains in effect. For details, call (630) 584-8171.

Panton Mill Park hosts a community back to school celebration filled with family friendly activities, live music, and plenty of ways to connect. Expect a foam party, face painting, mini golf, a bubble party, inflatables, and first responder vehicle displays. SEPD officers will be on site for meet and greets and hands on safety demonstrations, including drunk trikes and the seat belt convincer. Local organizations will participate. Food options include food trucks from Fernando’s Street Kitchen and Rosati’s, concessions from the FUNdation, and a snow cone vendor. The entertainment lineup features a live performance by 28 Days with a high energy show suitable for all ages. A free shuttle service will run from the Kenyon Woods parking lot for convenient access. A 500 backpack giveaway is planned, with one ticket per child and the child required to be present to receive it. Distribution is first come, first served while supplies last.

Step into the world of Tuck Everlasting, a stage musical that follows young Winnie Foster as she encounters a family guarding the secret of everlasting youth. When she must choose between a life that never ends and a life fully lived, her journey invites reflection on growing up, the bonds of family and friendship, and the flow of time. The production features a Tony-nominated score with sweeping ensemble numbers and tender ballads. Set in the late 1800s, its folk-tinged music evokes the era’s warmth and simplicity, enriching the story’s atmosphere. Presented by CCT as a family-friendly production, it is especially suited for ages 8 and up, with all ages welcome at the discretion of a parent or guardian.

Scott Smith's All Animal Expo returns to the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, Illinois after a July break. This family friendly expo features a wide range of animals, supplies, and specialty vendors. Attendees can browse puppies and kittens, reptiles and amphibians, birds, small exotic mammals, and invertebrates, along with live and frozen feeders, tanks and supplies, plus animal themed art and crafts. Vendors are available to answer questions, share knowledge, and help visitors learn more about the animals they work with. Admission is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 10, and free for children 5 and under. Free parking is available, and there is an ATM and concessions on site.

The fifth annual car show returns to French Med Spa + Health with a showcase of exotic and luxury vehicles presented with Chicago Motor Cars. Expect a lively scene with a DJ, refreshments, and a celebratory summer vibe. Alongside the cars, look for one-day specials on aesthetic and wellness services, live demonstrations of Emsella and Emsculpt Neo, and raffles with giveaways running throughout the afternoon. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Plenty of photo-worthy moments await, including standout builds from around the Midwest.

Chicagoland Halal Fest 2026 expands with a move to Kane County Fairgrounds, bringing more space, easier parking, and additional attractions. There is more room for food, shopping, entertainment, and family activities, while maintaining the familiar vibe. It is planned as the biggest edition yet, offering a weekend centered on food, culture, shopping, and community.

Bring the family for close animal encounters at Lords Park. This Saturday session features Incredible Bats!: Animals Around the World. It runs for one hour, and it is a free, drop-in event with no registration needed.

Celebrate the easygoing spirit of summer with a family-friendly evening at Primrose Farm. This event welcomes all ages, with admission at $18 per person. Settle by the fire to toast hot dogs, enjoy sweet corn and fresh watermelon, and finish with melty s'mores as the daylight fades. Play a few lawn games, then climb aboard for a wagon ride through the fields while the sunset paints the sky.

A sensory friendly play session at Urban Air Adventure Park in St. Charles is designed for children with autism and special needs, with the environment adjusted to be calmer for those with sensory processing differences. Admission is $19.99 per child with Platinum Access, and one parent or guardian is free with each participating child. Participants must wear Urban Air socks. For more details, call (630) 584-8171.

Enjoy sensory-friendly days at the Fox River Trolley Museum. During these days, a Quiet Train is in service, and a sensory-friendly safe space is available at the Wayne Depot.

Join a free drop-in, all-ages program at the zoo-themed series for kids and families. This session runs from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM and does not require registration. The August 11 theme is “Extirpated Illinois,” with activities as part of the select Tuesday lineup.

A librarian from the St. Charles Public Library leads a lively story time at Creek Bend Nature Center in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, featuring story readings, finger plays, songs, and other activities for children from infancy through age 5. Afterward, families can explore the Nature Center’s interactive exhibits, then finish the experience with a second book along the StoryWalk. The program is free, and no registration is required.

One Twenty Live hosts a Wednesday cruise night that offers a midweek break after a few days of work. All kinds of rides are invited, including classic and period-correct builds, imports, exotics, bikes, overlands, and clean builds. The gathering is family friendly and rated for everyone, and pets are welcome. Attendees may want to browse the venue’s menu beforehand to decide what to order.

The Davenport Project brings a mix of classic rock, blues, and country with a sound that invites tapping along and clapping to the beat. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and friends to enjoy a summer night of live music at Panton Mill Park.

Enjoy a summer evening concert as part of the Village of South Elgin Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series. The event runs from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and takes place at Panton Mill Park in South Elgin.