Join the Chicago Park District for Chance & Bri's Books and Breakfast, where you can enjoy free breakfast, get free children's books and even take a free family portrait.

This fun family event is part of a series launched earlier in the summer by Chance The Rapper, in partnership with educator and author, Briana McLean, to promote literacy and encourage a love of reading in young children. Advance registration is required, and spots will fill up fast!

Big Miracle is based on the true story, in 1988, when 3 gray whales were discovered dramatically stranded off the frozen coast of Barrow, Alaska. Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski depict actual real life characters most integral in this international news story.

It's produced as a fictional family film, but I found it to be a bit bigger than that! My kids asked many questions thereafter which convinced me that it was a good documentary-based movie to watch. I recommend it for older kids who can comprehend the gravity of risk, heroism, environmental activism, culture - and perhaps a little Cold War history, too!

Note: a few (tame) swear words are thrown out, and there is the deep, ongoing concern of loss throughout the entire movie.

Fox Valley Park District and the City of Aurora co-own a family-friendly aquatic center that features many different water slides, a zero depth entry leisure pool, and a tot-friendly splash pad with tons of spray guns, waterfalls, and sprinklers.

This is a fun pool party game! If your kids are of under-water diving ability, throw in a variety of different colored poker chips and let them sink to the bottom. Divide your group into teams and have the kids jump in the pool at once to collect as many chips as they can.

Different color chips have differing values, so the team with the highest points win! This is one of my favorite pool party games because it gets everyone involved - and because there are so many chips to retrieve, everyone is likely find at least one and can contribute to "ante."

Note: depending on the size of the pool, and the amount of kids, results will vary. It also works best in a somewhat circular pool.

It's good to have a few prepared games on your list of kid pool party ideas, just in case the group needs an organized activity to bring everyone together. One of the easiest pool party games for kids is having a scavenger hunt dive!

While kids have their eyes shut, throw in a bunch of pool-safe, sinkable items (e.g., diving rings) for players to jump-in, seek and retrieve. They can either collect as many as they can, or recover specific items the referee calls out by name.

Tip: if you throw in a clear and filled plastic water bottle, it will sink and remain moderately camouflaged. It can be a fun challenge item for kids to hunt!

Easy and welcoming pool accessories are terrific items to have for a kids pool party. An inflatable volleyball net that floats in the pool will encourage multiple kids to play together at once. Use a beach ball or an actual volleyball, depending on player ability.

Leave your heavy ice cooler at home and stick to this decorative and inflatable ice bucket that can comfortably house dozens of drink cans, water bottles, and/or popsicles. This decorative palm tree is 60" high and can fit the theme of any tropical or Hawaiian pool party. It clearly marks the spot for kids to grab a "cool one" on their own time.

Temporary tattoo applications only require water and skin - both of which are found at pool parties!

Have a table set up for press-on temporary tattoos, particularly using designs that showcase the party theme. Kids can stamp these tattoos on themselves or apply them on each other during swim breaks.

If this a birthday pool party, consider tattoos that highlight the child of honor, too. You can find tattoos with age numbers or letters that can spell out "happy birthday."

I also had a few of these balls placed in a snowy backyard as décor for a winter party and our guests had a great time bumping them around and playing catch. These all-season balls are light weight and water resistant.

Pool noodles are quite versatile! They can be used as relaxing water floaties or for an exciting game of water joust! When the party is over, they can even be sent home with guests as pool party favors. Best of all, a bulk package of noodles can be purchased at a rather inexpensive price.

Arrange 4-6 tall dining room chairs in a circle with the seats facing out. Throw bedsheets over the top and anchor them onto the seats using several heavy books.

My kids build forts all the time using this super simple method. The only downside is eventually wanting your kitchen chairs back!

We saved a few extra large wardrobe boxes for the kids to play in as tunnels. Just connect them with tape! Like little hamsters, they can enjoy crawling through their burrows.