Registration is open for the Fall Session and slots are still open at parks across the city
CHICAGO, IL – Parents looking to keep their children busy after the school day ends can look no further! Registration for the Chicago Park District’s Park Kids after-school program is open and offers grammar school age children a place to play and engage with their peers, while completing homework assignments or learning a new activity. Specific dates vary by park but most Park Kid programs run from August 31, 2026 to December 18, 2026 for the fall season.
Offered at more than 100 parks throughout the city, Park Kids engages children ages 6 – 12 in a variety of activities, including sports, games, arts & crafts, nature, fitness/wellness, brain play and homework time.
“Park Kids provides children with a welcoming place to spend their afternoons while offering parents a convenient and dependable option after the traditional school day,” said General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “After a successful summer season, our parks continue to provide positive experiences for kids in the cooler months.”
Registration is now open and will continue through the first day of fall session, coinciding with the first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools students on Monday, August 24, 2026. Most Park Kids take place weekdays from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Packages for the Fall, Winter and Spring session are also available here. For more information and to register a child for Park Kids program for the 2026 Fall session, patrons can visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/parkkids-afterschool-program.
Financial Assistance
The Chicago Park District offers financial assistance to support families in need that are enrolling in Park Kids after school program but are unable to afford the full price. If approved, financial assistance will cover half of the program cost. Assistance is also available for qualifying Chicago Housing Authority residents. For more information, please visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/financial-assistance.