Are you looking for a fun event or experience for the dad this Father’s Day? We’ve compiled a list of all the fun places you can go to make sure he’s knows just how much you love him and appreciate him. So read on to find out where to have Father’s Day fun in Lake County.
Father’s Day Freebies in Lake County
Saturday, June 17
31st Annual Nostalgia Days Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show happens between 31st and 25th Streets in Zion from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Father’s Day Story Time will be held at Barnes and Noble in Deer Park, 20600 N. Rand Rd., 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. featuring the book When Dads Don’t Grow Up.
Head over to the Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Rd., Barrington, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. to learn about dads in nature.
Classic Car Cruise Night will take place at Miller’s Dog n Suds, 517 Washington St., Ingleside, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. featuring a tribute to Neil Diamond.
Father’s Day Activities and Events
Friday, June 16
Still need to get dad a present? Come to the Father’s Day Make and Take at Click Incorporated, 424 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kids can make 11×14 inch puzzles and a custom storage tin. Bring in your favorite family photo, children’s artwork, or digital images from a trip or celebration to make into a gift for dad to treasure. Event cost is $35, pre-registration required.
Saturday, June 17
Michael’s Kids Club, your local Michael’s store, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Children age three and older can craft a Father’s Day-themed picture frame. Cost is $2 per child.
Picnic in the Park with Dad, 1o:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Enjoy food, live entertainment, superheroes and balloon artists! The first 20 fathers to arrive will receive a gift card to Fanzz. Admission is $3 per child or $1 for Saplings members. Purchase your ticket at Snickelfritz Toys, located on the lower level of the mall across from the PlaySpace.
Saturday, June 17 – Sunday, June 18
If the dad in your life loves certain wizard books and movies, then you’ll want to dress up and head up to Antioch for Wizards Weekend, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in downtown Antioch at Main and Lake Streets. You’re sure to find magic in the midst of the celebration featuring Quidditch, Hogwarts School of Magic, Wezar Horcrux Hunt, Wizards Chess, Costume Contest, and more!
Tilt Studio Family Entertainment Center, 6152 Grand Ave., Gurnee, is offering buy one attraction, get one attraction free.
Sunday, June 18
15th Annual Corvette, Chevy & Street Rod Father’s Day Car Show at Libertyville Chevrolet, 1001 S. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Help stock the Libertyville Township Food Panty by bringing a donation. Admission is $3 per person, or $5 per car; proceeds benefit the Lake County Honor Flight.
The Tempel Lipizzans, 17000 W. Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the show starts at 1:30 p.m. Tickets range from $17 – $27 in advance, and $22 – $32 on the day of the performance. In its 35th season, The Tempel Lipizzans present a live, 90-minute program of synchronized movements, demonstrating athleticism and harmony between the horses and riders, set to music. The show includes examples of all levels of horsemanship, from the newest foals to the grand finale performances of highly trained adult horses. Witness history as the first women perform the long reign segment and the military-style airs above the ground leaps.
Father’s Day Swim Special, Round Lake Area Park District Aquatics Center, 860 Hart Rd., Round Lake, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dads receive FREE admission with a paid admission. Come see who will make the biggest splash at the father’s diving board and participate in swim contests for prizes. Visit the Aquatics Center website for admission prices.
Bring dad to the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for a Father’s Day Family Adventure — an adventure he won’t forget! Use a GPS to find hidden clues along our trails, shoot a bow and arrow, build shelters in the woods, and work together to build a fire. The afternoon ends with a cookout — you bring dinner, we provide the grill. Activities are subject to change. Registration required; cost is $12 per participant, children younger than two are FREE.

Father’s Day Meals
Lambs Farm Father’s Day Brunch, 14245 W. Rockland Rd., Libertyville. Breakfast and dessert merge to make a yummy brunch for dad at the Lambs Farm Father’s Day Brunch. Seatings are at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Brunch is $24.95 for adults, $10.95 for children ages 2 – 12, and FREE for children 23 months and younger. Call the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery for reservations at (847) 362-5050.
Beer and Buffet may be all the dad in your life needs to hear, and if so, bring him to the Illinois State Beach Lakeside Restaurant Father’s Day Beer Brunch, 1 Lake Front Dr., Zion. Dads and their families can enjoy chicken wings, BBQ ribs, chicken and waffles, and more! Children age two and younger are FREE; children ages 3-5, $6.95; children ages 6-11, $16.95; and adults and children ages 12 and older, $35.95. Call (847) 625-7300 to make your reservations.
Lindy’s Landing, 115 Park St., Wauconda has a BBQ buffet in their pavilion by the boat launch. Enjoy burgers, brats, and all the fixings. The buffet runs from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and the cost is $18 for adults, $9 for children ages 4-12, and children age three and younger eat for FREE.
Worth the Trip
If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat BBQ and a day at the zoo, then look no further than the Brookfield Zoo’s Father’s Day BBQ, 8400 W. 31st St, Brookfield. DJ entertainment and a summertime buffet makes for a good time for the whole family, but be sure to make a reservation because seating is limited.
Looking for gift ideas? Melissa shared 6 Lake County shops to spoil any type of dad over on Chicago Parent.
Where will you take dad on Father’s Day?
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