Your Chicago-Area Family-Friendly Summer Bucket List

CHICAGO AREA, IL — Grab the sunscreen and some snacks — it's time to gear up for summer fun in the Chicago area.

And when it comes to family friendly fun, there's plenty to be found. We've included some of our top choices below. And if you feel like we've missed a good one, let your fellow readers know about it in the comments section.

Berry Picking

This is a win-win for families with kids of all ages, especially those with little ones. Fresh air and sunshine while hunting for the perfect berry will keep them busy and you'll get to head home with a fresh stash of raspberries or strawberries. Here are links to some of our favorite you-pick berry farms:

• Heider’s Berry Farm, Woodstock
• Cody’s Farm, Marengo
• Tom’s Farm Market, Huntley

Hit the Beach

Of course, there's plenty of beaches across the Chicago area worth checking out, including some of our faves: Hall Quarry Beach in Batavia, Centennial Beach in Naperville, Three Oaks Beach in Crystal Lake and Paulus Park Beach & Sprayground in Lake Zurich. But a trip to a beach along Lake Michigan adds a little extra fun, especially for residents living inland. You can make a day of it and head into the city North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, Montrose Beach or Rainbow Beach.

In the suburbs, Gillson Park Beach in Wilmette is gorgeous and so is Rosewood Beach in Highland Park. Another great spot to visit for a half day or full day of fun is Illinois State Beach in Zion.

Ravinia Festival

Ravinia offers a unique experience for all ages stopping out for summer concerts. And the venue offers plenty of family friendly options, including The Lion King: In Concert Live to Film, The Goonies in Concert as well as its kids concert series. Kids visiting the park can also check out the interactive KidsLawn area with large-scale instruments.

Six Flags Great America

The popular amusement park in Gurnee is a go-to family friendly attraction for many in the Chicago area. From Goliath to the 40-year-old American Eagle coaster, many will nab seasonal passes or make a point to make it out to the amusement park at least once during the summer months. Hurricane Harbor Chicago is also located on the property for those looking for some epic water slides to test out and will open over the Memorial Day weekend.

New this year, the park will debut its DC Universe. Six Flags Great America has rebranded its Yankee Harbor, with the hopes of immersing its guests in a "DC Comic book-inspired world."

Park roller coaster favorites, Batman The Ride and The Joker Free-Fly Coaster, will be found in the newly themed portion of the park, which formerly housed Yankee Harbor. The area of the park will also have three reimagined attractions: The Flash: Vertical Velocity, which is a high-speed launch coaster; Aquaman Splashdown, a winding flume ride with a water plunge; and DC Super-Villains Swing, which is a spinning attraction that twirl riders in a 360-degree orbit.

Santa's Village Azoosment

A much smaller-scale amusement park than Six Flags, Santa's Village in East Dundee has several rides and options for younger kids and also opened a small water park in recent years. The park is also home to more than 200 animals, birds and fish. While you won't find Great America-size coasters, there are plenty of thrills for a full afternoon of summer fun.

A Day At The Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears ... A trip to a Chicago-area zoo will have you eye to eye with some amazing animals. Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo in Lincoln Park are among the most popular spots. But other lesser-known hidden gems, like Cosley Zoo in Wheaton,Lambs Farm in Libertyville and Randall Oaks Petting Zoo in West Dundee.

A Day Trip To Chicago

For suburbanites, a trip into the city can feel like a getaway. Some family favorites worth checking out include: 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier, or a visit to a museum, like the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum or the Museum of Science & Industry.

Illinois Railway Museum

For any train aficionados out there, this museum in Union is a must-see. Included in your general admission to the Illinois Railway Museum is unlimited train rides and the chance to view the many trains on exhibit. You can also stop out to exhibit buildings that house much of the museum's collection of trains and historic structures such as Spaulding Tower, 1851 East Union Depot and the Schroeder Mercantile Store.