Explore New Places and New Ideas This Summer with a Free Printable Treasure Map to Get You Started
School is officially out for the summer as of yesterday, and the Blackwelder boys are already celebrating Water Day at their summer program today. Summer fun starts NOW! (And so does the endless cycle of sunscreening, washing swimsuits and towels, searching for sandals, and all the baths at the end of the sticky, sweaty days…)
Last year, I put together an ambitious Summer Bucket List in a Bingo card format. Our family had a lot of fun playing but boy, were we tired by the end of the summer.
This year, I’m more interested in quality over quantity and focused our plans around the theme of exploration. That’s the best part about summer, isn’t it? Getting out and learning something new, discovering something you’ve never tried before, and generally making the most of the time you have. And Easton and Sawyer are nothing if not little adventurers lately.
I pulled together a list of places and ideas we’re going to explore this summer (coincidentally, the same number of topics as there are weeks of summer). The treasure map format gives you freedom to decide WHAT you want to explore and HOW you want to do it. Here’s what my boys and I will be up to this summer:
The key to fun is trying not to repeat the same places and ideas you’ve done before. So pick a new playground, a new museum, and a new beach this summer! Go somewhere you’ve never been so that it’s a true adventure. (Of course, a few summer activities are just so good that they have to be repeated, and that’s OK too!)
Join in on the summer fun! Print out your own treasure map, then draw in the paths and check off the stops on the map as you explore them. (An entirely blank version of the map is included on Page 2 if you want to connect all your own paths in your own order.)
Download the #NeverDoneWithFun Summer Adventure Map
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Explore New Places and Ideas: The #NeverDoneWithFun Guide to Summer
City
There’s something about the pulse of the city in summer — it’s infectious and there’s an energy you won’t find anywhere else. Pick a new city and explore all it has to offer: new sites, new sounds, new eats, and new treats. Walk everywhere. People watch. Ask locals for their recommendations and then try them out. Don’t over-plan your trip — let the adventure unfold organically and see where you end up. That’s the magic of summer: no schedule and no demands. Soak it up.
Local love – consider these Midwestern day trips or weekend getaways:
- St. Louis, Missouri (4.5 hours from Chicago) – we’re going over the 4th of July as a family and have a whole long weekend of adventures planned, from the famous Gateway Arch to a FREE zoo to the unique City Museum. Full itinerary and details to be published!
- Indianapolis, Indiana (3 hours from Chicago) – go for the children’s museum alone. Stop at Fair Oaks Farm for a pit stop.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2 hours from Chicago) – a day trip the the Mitchell Park Domes with stops at the Safe House spy-themed restaurant (the original location) and Mars Cheese Castle is an inexpensive and accessible way to explore. We did this over Spring Break and it was just right for a day-long adventure.
- Downtown Chicago – you don’t have to venture far from home. Just pick a new neighborhood or landmark! There are so many to choose from.
Science
On a rainy weekend or day when it’s so scorching you don’t even want to be outside, set up Science Saturday inside. Put together a few science experiments (check the dollar store to get started) and some themed snacks for an afternoon of learning and fun.
Ideas to get you started:
- Watch avocado pits sprout in water
- Grow crystals with inexpensive kits
- Dig for dinosaur fossils
- Plant a Chia pet
- Build a classic erupting volcano
- Check out my Pinterest board and follow for a million other DIY science projects
Local love: If you’re not interested in DIY science, cross off Science and Museum on your treasure map at one time with a visit to SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora, with more than 200 STEAM exhibits for kids of all ages.
Garden
It’s not summer without planting and watering. Grow something with your kids this summer. A small vegetable garden is ideal — plant quick-growing veggies like radishes as well as more kid-friendly veggies like carrots, broccoli, and snap peas.
Or create some whimsical container gardens. This summer, we have a prehistoric fairy garden in one corner of our deck, complete with dinosaurs, volcano, and man-eating plant.
In another corner, we have a more traditional fairy garden, with a bridge and pond, gazing ball, and toadstool homes. All the details of what we planted and how we accessorized are in the linked posts!
Nature
No matter what else you do this summer, get outside! The weather is never going to be better, at least not in the Midwest. But better yet, explore nature as a family and foster a love of the great outdoors along with a respect for all living creatures. And could there be a better way to tire out your tireless kids than with fresh air and physical exertion?
Local love – too many on our list this year!
- Big Run Wolf Ranch, Lockport – this educational preserve visited Easton’s afterschool program with some of their animals, and he’s talked about it since then, so this is top of our list for exploring nature this summer. The preserve has 8 wolves, a black bear, a cougar, and even a Siberian tiger! NOTE: It’s only open to the public once a month for Family Day; summer dates are June 22, July 27, and August 24, so plan accordingly.
- Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, Darien – a beautiful hiking spot with a legit waterfall (as long as it’s not too dry) — and causes way less anxiety than Starved Rock did last summer
- Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook
- Little Red Schoolhouse, Willow Springs
What can I say? We love the nature centers. It’s an easy, not-too-intense morning or afternoon time filler that everyone enjoys.
Playground
Here’s a cheap and easy one to check off the treasure map: Find a playground you’ve never been to! Use local resources (like Kidlist if you’re in Chicago) to research some of the coolest parks in your area, pick one and make the drive. Pack a picnic lunch and stay all day.
Local love – some DuPage County favorites:
- Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn – bring bread crusts to feed the fish!
- Maryknoll Park, Glen Ellyn – don’t forget your swimsuits for the splash pad
- Seven Gables Park, Wheaton
- Northside Park, Wheaton
- Ty Warner Park, Westmont
- Maggie Daley Park, Chicago — if you’re feeling ambitious like I am. I’ll share my tips for success after we make the trip. I’m thinking this is a weekday one to beat the crowds.
Museum
There’s going to be summer days (hopefully not weeks) where the weather just doesn’t cooperate for picnics and pool days. When it’s rainy, get in the car and find a new museum to explore.
Local love – it’s not called Museum Campus for no reason:
- Adler Planetarium – the planetarium is the only one left on museum campus that we haven’t checked out, so it’s our top summer museum destination. The Omnimax movie theater is a great place to beat the heat and grab a moment of relaxation while you’re at it.
- Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier – check out my Family Field Trip guide to making the most of your visit
- DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville
- Field Museum, Chicago – our family’s perennial favorite. Dinosaurs and pyramids and giant insects, oh my!
Farm
Strawberry-picking was so fun last year, we want to go back this year — it’s one of the few activities we are going to repeat this summer! But it makes sense: My kids basically exist on fruit alone, and strawberries are one of the very few fruits that both boys eat. (Really. They are totally opposite eaters, and keeping track of it all practically requires a spreadsheet.)
In addition to berry-picking, Sawyer has been begging to see horses, so exploring farm life is on tap this summer.
Local love:
- Johnson’s Farm Produce, Hobart, Indiana – It seems like every weekend is a fruit festival at Johnson’s. Strawberry Festival starts the weekend of June 15 and continues through the end of the month. July is Blueberry Festival month, and August is Raspberry Festival month. There’s U-PICK, a hayride to the picking fields, a farm stand and store, refreshments, and a play area for the kids. You can easily spend a whole day here, and drop a significant chunk of change on fresh produce. But at least it’s fruits and veggies!
- Blackberry Farm, Aurora – Another family favorite, this historical farm includes pony rides and hayrides in their inexpensive admission fee — one of the main reasons it’s one of our family’s favorite spots. The awesome adventure playground, a minature train ride, and some amazing cheese fries also make the list. 😉
- Stade’s Farm and Market, McHenry – In the summer, Stade’s is a more traditional pick-your-own farm, with strawberry season opening in June, followed by sugar snap peas and raspberries. It’s a classic berry-picking experience a little closer to home.
- Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago – We missed lambing season again this spring but Kline Creek Farm is still a fun, free place to explore with your kids. It’s another historical farm, so get ready for costumed interpreters with your sheep and horses. Open Thursday through Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
History
#DoneWithFun Daddy has an (unused) degree in history, so he’s made it his life’s work to impart the same love of the past to our kids. It’s apparently working because the boys have been into medieval knights, ancient Egypt, and ancient Greek and Roman gladiators as of late. So I’ll throw Daddy a bone and include history on our list of what to explore. Maybe it’ll help him complain a little less when I pack us into the car on a Saturday morning for our next adventure.
Local love – get ready for a blast from the past:
- Bristol Renaissance Faire, Kenosha, Wisconsin – If your kids are into knights, dragons or medieval princesses, let them wear their favorite costume and take a family day trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. It combines shows, games, rides, and other entertainment with a mix of historical and modern flair. Buy your tickets online before you go, and join their email list to get a discount.
- Onesti’s Wild West Town, Union, Illinois – kids’ paradise of rides, games and entertainment with a classic old-time Western theme. Tickets are $19 per person all-inclusive (no extra costs) for everyone ages 3 and up, so it’s not an inexpensive day, but this is the one summer activity #DoneWithFun Daddy is excited about. It might just be his Father’s Day gift.
- The Grove, Glenview – Pioneer Day is June 22 for an immersive experience. Or explore on your own terms, including a Native American longhouse and more. Note: The interpretive center is currently under construction until this fall, so most animals will be off exhibit this summer.
- Graue Mill and Museum, Oak Brook – more pioneer life exploration, with the only operational waterwheel gristmill in the area.
Beach
A summer list isn’t complete without at least one trip to the beach, even if you’re a avowed hater of sand like I am. If I’m going to the beach, I’d prefer it be a tropical one, but there’s this little thing called reality… The fact is, sand and water keep my kids entertained, so sand everywhere is a relatively small price to pay for the chance to sip a frosty beverage of choice and soak up a few rays myself. I’ve got the sand toys at the ready.
Local love – old favorites and new spots:
- Gillson Park Beach, Wilmette – our annual beach day spot, Gillson Beach on the North Shore is so pretty you almost won’t realize you’re swimming in Lake Michigan. It’s not nearly as crowded as the Chicago beaches either!
- Centennial Beach, Naperville – I grew up here and there’s a sandy beach but the water is chlorinated and free of fish, seaweed, and other lake life. That alone makes it worth the admission price.
- Michigan or Indiana Dunes – if anyone wants to weigh in on which is better for kids, I’m all ears.
Transportation
We never got around to taking a train trip last summer, so this one is reprising its position on the summer bucket list. Hop on your local commuter train and ride it a few stops to a new town. Grab lunch or get ice cream, maybe check out a new park, and then ride the train back home. The novelty of train travel will take you far, especially with the younger set.
Local love – a few itinerary options:
- To Wheaton – go on a Saturday morning and wander the French market for the most delicious fresh hot donuts, plus all the produce, flowers, and other artisanal foods and goods your heart desires
- To Geneva – the cutest downtown ever. Grab pizza from Doughocracy, then ice cream or fudge from Kilwin’s or Graham’s. If you’ve got great walkers or a stroller, make the trip to Island Park on the river before catching the train back home.
- To Downers Grove – Every Day’s a Sundae is right across from the train station for ice cream, plus Anderson’s Bookshop and My Special Toy Store just down the street
- To Naperville – the DuPage Children’s Museum is a block away!
- To Oak Park – Another kid-friendly downtown just steps from the Metra, don’t miss Courageous Bakery for inventive cupcakes.
If a train trip seem overly ambitious (I’ll weigh in later this summer), check off your Transportation goals with classic cars instead. Find a town with a classic car display on a summer evening and wander the streets to find your favorites.
Local love – summer nights were made for classic cars and ice cream cones:
- Vintage Rides Car Show, Wheaton, Fridays 6-9 PM
- Summer Nights Classic Car Show, Downers Grove, Fridays 6-9 PM
- Lombard Cruise Nights and Summer Concerts, Lombard, Saturdays 6-10 PM
Entrepreneurship
Teach your kids the value of money and let them hone their hustling skills with a classic summer lemonade stand. Easton’s got big goals for the money he’s going to make from his stand this summer — he’s saving for a laptop. Download my printable lemonade stand signs for a cute detail.
New exhibits at old favorites
Go back to some of your favorite summer spots (museums, parks, other attractions) and see what’s new there or what you may have missed the first time around. Check their Calendar of Events for special events or guests that will put a new spin on your summer standbys.
Local love – all LEGO, all the time:
There’s not one but two LEGO sculpture exhibits at some of our local favorites this summer: the Morton Arboretum and Brookfield Zoo are both featuring incredible, life-sized animals crafted entirely of the tiny plastic bricks.
Plus, both places have Summer Evenings where you can explore as the sun sets and the scorching temperatures cool down, frequently with live music and other entertainment. Bring a blanket or a picnic for classic summer fun.
Do you have other ideas to EXPLORE that I’ve missed? Add to my list in the comments below or connect with me on social media (@NeverDoneWithFun and #neverdonewithfun to be featured in my Stories!) Follow all of our summer adventures and watch the progress on our adventure guide on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration to keep your summer fun going strong!
There’s always Summer Bucket List Bingo if you need even more F-U-N in your summer! Check out my Family Field Trip guides for some more local love with an insider’s perspective on the do’s and don’ts at some of Chicagoland’s best.
