Summer is HERE, and we have big plans. Whether you're counting down to fireworks, chasing splash pads, or finally checking "rent a boat" off the list - this is your family's official guide to making the most of summer 2026 in our corner of the northwest suburbs.
We packed everything we love into one checklist - print it out, stick it on the fridge, and start checking things off! 🎉
A huge thank you to our 2026 Sponsor, Jen's Art, Gifts & Books in Roselle, for making this bucket list possible. Jen's is exactly the kind of local gem we love - go pay them a visit at 15 W Howard Ave, Schaumburg, and support small business this summer!
Print it, hang it, and check off your summer fun.
🏊 Beat the Heat
- Cool off at a pool or splash pad — your park district has you covered! Check your local park district for hours and locations.
- Rent a boat at Volkening Lake in Schaumburg — one of our absolute favorite summer traditions.
📚 Feed Their Minds
- Join a Summer Reading Challenge — most libraries kick off their programs in June. Sign up early!
🥕 Shop Local at Farmers & Makers Markets
Fresh produce, handmade goods, and all the community vibes. Here's where to find them:
- Sunday: Bloomingdale & Hoffman Estates
- Thursday: Roselle
- Friday: Schaumburg
- Saturday: Arlington Heights & Palatine
⚾ Cheer on the Home Team
Cheer on the Schaumburg Boomers! There's nothing like a summer night at the ballpark with the family. Check the Boomers schedule and grab your tickets!
🌳 Get Outside & Explore
- Hike through nature — three of our favorites right here in our backyard:
- Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village
- Meacham Grove, Bloomingdale
- Spring Valley, Schaumburg
- Visit the animals at Heritage Farm — a sweet, low-key outing the little ones will love.
- Explore and play at Bison's Bluff in Rolling Meadows — great for adventure-seekers!
🎪 Park District & Community Events
- Attend a Park District program — from camps to classes to drop-in fun, your local park district is packed with options all summer.
- Find a Touch a Truck event — kids go WILD for these and they pop up all over the suburbs.
- Burn energy at an Indoor Play Place — for those hot and humid days!
- Catch a Movie in the Park — bring a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy!
🎵 Rock Out at an Outdoor Concert
Free music, warm evenings, and happy kids? Yes, please. Here's the lineup:
- Tues & Thurs: EG Mid-Summer Classic (Elk Grove Village)
- Thursdays: Roselle Concerts on Main & Concerts in the Park
- Thursdays: Arlington Heights Sounds of Summer
- Fridays: Rolling Meadows Fridays Rock!
- Varies: Hoffman Estates Village Green & Hideaway; Schaumburg Town Square Concerts & Events
🎆 Parades, Fireworks & Festivals
Mark your calendars — this is the good stuff:
June
- 🌹 Roselle Rose Fest & Parade
July
- 🎆 Rolling Meadows 4th Parade & Fireworks
- 🎆 Hoffman Estates Fourth Fest
- 🎡 Arlington Heights Frontier Days Fest
- 🎡 Elk Grove Rotary Fest
- 🎉 Summer Celebration, Streamwood
August
- 🍺 Schaumburg Septemberfest
- 🎪 Palatine Street Fest
September
- 🎪 Bloomingdale Septemberfest
- 🍂 Rolling Meadows Meadows Fest
🛍️ Support Local
Shop small this summer! Start with Jen's Art, Gifts & Books in Roselle — our 2026 Bucket List sponsor and a truly special local shop.
📋 Grab the Free Printable!
Want the full checklist to print and hang on your fridge? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and get the Summer Bucket List PDF delivered straight to your inbox — plus all the best local events, activities, and family fun all season long!
Already a subscriber? Check your inbox - we've got you covered!
🗓️ Find Even More Ideas
Looking for 100 more easy summer ideas? Macaroni KID National has you covered too! Check out their year-round activity list and free printable for even more inspiration.
💛 Let's Do This Together - Neighborhood Maxxing All Summer Long!
Follow along all summer as we explore our community together - and keep an eye out for chances to meet up with other local families IRL! Find us on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates and community fun.
Are you a local business interested in reaching families in our community this summer? I'd love to connect! Shoot me an email at karit@macaronikid.com or DM me on Facebook or Instagram. Let's grow together. 💛
- Whether you are hanging out at home or off on a summer adventure, this printable makes it easy to turn simple moments into lasting memories — one fun activity at a time.
Ready to unlock core memories and make it the BEST summer ever?
Click here to download your FREE Summer Bucket List Printable now!
How to Use Your Free Summer Bucket List Printable
- Complete the form and download it here.
- Print and hang it where everyone can see — the fridge, family command center, or even inside the pantry.
- Let your kids pick activities or do a weekly draw from the lists.
- Snap a photo of each completed activity to build a summer scrapbook.
Get Ready to Make This the BEST Summer Ever
Whether you’re planning a road trip, a backyard campout, or just looking to keep things simple at home, these printables transform ordinary days into lifelong memories — one giggle, splash, and s’more at a time.👉 Click here to download your Free Summer Bucket List Printables now!
OR Fill in the Form below and we'll send it. Get ready to check off joy, one adventure at a time.
Don’t forget to tag us on social media when you check off your favorites - we love seeing your fun in action!
☀️ Have a great summer! ☀️
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Macaroni KID Schaumburg Hoffman Estates is your go-to local resource for family fun, kids activities, birthday parties, including free and ticketed events in Arlington Heights, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg and Streamwood in Illinois. We share the best things to do with kids including local festivals, story times, holiday events, and seasonal celebrations. Find family-friendly discounts, deals, and birthday ideas near you and never miss a chance to make memories. Explore the latest events on the Macaroni KID Schaumburg calendar today!
