10 St. Charles Family-Friendly Activities to Add to Your Summer Bucket List
- STC Business Alliance
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Now that summer is in full-swing, it's time to brainstorm some fun seasonal plans that will be enjoyable for both you and your kids. To make this task easier, we've put together a list of top summer activities that are a "must do" before the season comes to a close. Keep reading below to get started!
1.Visit the Waterparks
Photos Courtesy of the St. Charles Park District
Searching for a way to beat the summer heat? Here in St. Charles, we are lucky enough to have not one, but two wonderful public water parks! Situated within Pottawatomie Park is Swanson Pool. Swanson Pool has tons of different attractions including drop slides, diving boards, a sand play area, and much more. West of downtown at James O. Breen Community Park is where you can find Otter Cove Aquatic Park! This summer, dive in and join Ollie the Otter and his friends and take advantage of the many exciting things to do such as water slides, lazy river, and sand volleyball courts.
Photo 1 Courtesy of @rachel_kawate. Photo 2 Courtesy of the St. Charles Park District
Everyone, regardless of age, loves Miniature Golf. It's fun, it's challenging, and it's great way to have a little friendly competition! Located in Pottawatomie Park, River View Miniature Golf Course is a fantastic 18 hole course filled with exciting obstacles, and a great view of the Fox River. For an extra challenge try playing Stanley's Spin-N-Play, where eight holes have a wheel that you can spin that will give you a wacky task to perform while putting, like spinning around five times, or putting with your eyes closed.
3. Attend an STC Live Performance
STC Live! is back! Experience FREE live music on Wednesday and Friday from 6pm-7:30pm on the 1st Street Plaza, as well as at various local St. Charles businesses. You do not want to miss these free concerts, so bring your kids and make an afternoon out of it! Afterwards, end the evening with a sweet treat and get some ice cream/frozen yogurt from Kimmer's, Kilwins, or Forever Yogurt downtown. To view the schedule of upcoming STC Live! performances this summer, please click the button below.
4. Jump Around at Urban Air Adventure Park
Photos Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography
Looking for an activity where your kids can burn off some energy? Look no further than Urban Air Adventure Park! Featuring Bumper Cars, Go-Karts, and so much more - the kids will have a blast jumping around with their friends. Plus, this summer, Urban Air Adventure Park is making it easy to play during the summer, as they offer a special deal on summer passes. And with a cafe located in the park, you can stay refreshed all summer long.
5. Swing by the Kane County Fair
Photos Courtesy of the Kane County Fairgrounds
Nothing says summer quite like a County Fair, and here in St. Charles, we have one that's Fox Valley's Top-Rated Summer Event! The Kane County Fair will take place from July 16th through July 20th, and will feature live entertainment, exciting rides, and even a professional championship bull riders and cowgirls on that Friday! To find more information on all the elements taking place at this year's Kane County Fair, you can visit their website by clicking the button below.
Which Tour on the Travel St. Charles App Will You Complete this Summer?
Tortilla Tour
Public Arts Tour
Instagrammable Spots Tour
St. Charles History Walking Tour
6. Take a Kayak or Pedal Boat Ride
Photo 1 Courtesy of the St. Charles Park District, Photo 2 Courtesy of @rachelkawate
A summer in St. Charles is the perfect opportunity venture the Fox River, enjoy some scenic views, and even burn a little bit of energy. You can do all this by hitting the water with a kayak or pedal boat ride! Both of these can be rented at the Riverview Miniature Golf Course in Pottawatomie Park - making it easy to get out and cruise on the water, all while making summer memories with friends and family.
7. Bike the Trails
Photos Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography
In St. Charles, we are very fortunate to have an abundance of scenic trails that are terrific for a summer bike ride. Taking a ride is fun for the whole family, and with plenty of routes to choose from - like the Fox River Trail or the Great Western Trail, it's simple to pedal into summer memories. If you're in need of a bike, or if you need some tune-ups on your existing ride, you can cruise of to either Sammy's Bikes or The Bike Rack where they can expert staff can assist with all your biking needs.
8. Listen to a Concerts in the Park Performance
Photo 1 Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography. Photo 2 Courtesy of the St. Charles Park District
Every summer, the St. Charles Park District hosts exceptional concerts in Lincoln Park on Thursdays at 7pm, and the best part is: their FREE! They have some incredible performers playing this year that you do not want to miss, and you can bring food and snacks from nearby local businesses so that you can have a picnic while you enjoy the concert. So, grab some blankets, chairs, and a bite to eat, and bring the whole family out for a wonderful afternoon. To view the list of upcoming performances, please click the button below.
9. Participate in the Be You Rock Hunt
Nearing the end of the summer right before school is in session, we have another event to end the season on a high-note: the very popular Be You Rock Hunt! On Friday, August 8th, you'll have the opportunity to search for vibrantly painted "Be You" rocks all around the downtown area! If you find one, be sure to bring it back to the St. Charles Municipal Building to receive a great prize. To learn more, be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram, as more details will be posted closer to the date of the event.
10. Learn About the History of St. Charles
Photo 1 Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography
You've experienced a ton of fun St. Charles activities this summer, but did you ever stop to think about the beginnings of this city, and just how it's evolved throughout the year. The St. Charles History Museum is a wonderful community resource where you and the kids can go back in time and learn all about the history of this town. Before you leave, make sure to pick up a St. Charles souvenir at the Curious Fox Gift Shop to take home!
Looking for more summer fun? The St. Charles Farmer's Market has a brand new location this year - with more vendors than ever to discover! Located just North of the St. Charles Municipal Building at 211 N. Riverside Avenue running on Friday's from 8am-1pm, shoppers can explore a wide range of local goods, including produce, meats, fish, and many more exceptional products!
