🎉 The Naperville FunTimes

YOUR WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY GUIDE

Issue #17  ·  July 3, 2026

Happy Friday & Happy 4th, Naperville families! 🎆

A little while back, we asked Naperville parents on Reddit a simple question: Where do you actually take your kids? The ones that never show up on "Top 10" lists. You responded with 30+ comments, and the gems kept coming. We used a few in Issue #12 — and this week, we're back with three more straight from the community thread.

Plus: the 4th of July falls on a Saturday this year — which means the astronomy club is almost certainly out at the Dandelion Fountain tonight. More on that below. 🌟

🗓️ This Week's Top 3 Family Picks — From Your Neighbors

Sensory Garden Playground — Lisle

This one showed up multiple times in our Reddit thread — parents were emphatic. The Sensory Garden Playground in Lisle is unlike any other playground in the area. Designed for children of all abilities, it features an accessible treehouse, a gravity rail, musical instruments built into the ground, a sound garden, water play, and sensory garden beds you can actually touch and smell. But here's the thing: neurotypical kids go absolutely wild here too. The variety is incredible, and it's completely FREE to visit, every single day.

Bolingbrook's Free Summer Movies — Zootopia 2 on July 16

The Bolingbrook Park District runs a free outdoor movie series every summer, and this is the one to snag. Zootopia 2 is playing Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 PM at the UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook parking lot. Lawn chairs, blankets, and all the summer evening energy you'd want. It's completely free — but registration IS required for this date, so don't sleep on it. The series also continues August 6 with Lilo & Stitch at Volunteer Park South.

Naperville Astronomical Association — Stargazing at the Riverwalk

The Naperville Astronomical Association sets up telescopes at the Dandelion Fountain on the Riverwalk for free public stargazing nights — and July 4th falls on a Saturday this year. Members bring their own hand-built telescopes and walk families through what they're seeing: planets, star clusters, nebulae, whatever is up that night. No tickets, no reservation, no agenda — just show up and look up. Kids who've never looked through a real telescope tend to get very quiet when they see Saturn's rings for the first time.

The July 4th angle: Stargaze with the astronomy club, then walk a few minutes down the Riverwalk to watch the fireworks. It doesn't get more summer-in-Naperville than that. 🎆

🍽️ Kids Eat Free This Week!

Denny's is your July 4th dinner move (every single night, including Saturday!). Miller's Ale House in Lombard is your Tuesday treat next week. Two great deals — zero excuses to cook.

Have an amazing 4th of July weekend, Naperville! Whether you're staring at Saturn through a telescope at the Riverwalk or watching your kids conquer the gravity rail in Lisle — this is the good stuff. 🧡 Keep sending us your hidden gems. We read every single one.

The Naperville FunTimes Team 🧡