FREE family fun abounds at Chicago's parks this summer!

I am thrilled to be one of The Local Tourists contributors, and for my inaugural post I thought I would write about something near and dear to my heart....FREE family fun!  As the founder of onthegoChicago.com, I've made it my mission to seek out and explore all of the kid-sized fun in Chicago. 

Chicago is literally bursting with family fun during the summer, and thanks to the Chicago Park District, a lot of it is FREE!  From water playgrounds and pools to movies and concerts, kid-sized fun abounds all around Chicago.  

Here are my top 5 FREE things to do at a local park!

1. Splish, splash lets get wet! If you're looking for a fun way to cool off this summer, don those bathing suits and sunscreen and head over to one of the more than forty parks with water playgrounds and sprinklers.  From the elaborate water playgrounds at parks like Adams Park (1919 Seminary) and River Park (5100 N. Francisco) to the sprinklers and fountains at Weisman Park  (901 W. Oakdale) and Fellger Playlot (2000 W. Belmont), you're sure to get wet and have fun.  Click here for a complete list of all of the parks with water playgrounds and here for a complete list of parks with sprinklers. Please note that Adams Park is under construction until sometime in July.  Boo!
2. Dance the night away! Many of Chicago's parks boast free concerts.  For example, Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.) has free concerts every Tuesday at the Gazebo and Adams Park (1919 N. Seminary) has free concerts every third Thursday through August. Grab a blanket, bring a picnic and meet some friends for a rockin' good time!
3. Enjoy a movie under the stars! There are free movie nights happening all over Chicagoland.  From The Wizzard being played this Tuesday at Wicker Park (1608 N. Milwaukee) to the Zookeeper playing on Friday at Saganash Park (901 E. Pershing Rd) you're sure to find a show your entire family will love.  Click here for a complete list of movies and locations.
4. Have a picnic! Sure your local park is nice, and you get to chat with all your buddies from the neighborhood, but there are lots of amazing parks in the city just waiting to be explored.  One great way to enjoy a new park is with a picnic.  We love having picnics at Oz Park.  Not only are the Wizard of Oz character statues charming, but the old school (yet still very nice) wooden play structure is full of tunnels and bridges perfect for little ones to crawl through. Plus, they have a separate and large enclosed grassy area perfect for picnics. 
5. Find your inner tree hugger! The North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N. Pulaski) is truly an urban oasis.  My kids love the glass enclosed beehive in the Nature Center, but what we enjoy most are the miles of trails past lily pad laden ponds, trees and prairie grass.