Summer Family Fun (2025 Edition)

Summer Family Fun in and around Clinton County (2025 Edition)

Looking for ways to make summer memorable for your family? Whether you’re planning outings with the kids or looking for inspiration for your next family photo session, Clinton County and nearby towns have you covered. Here’s your go-to guide of events to keep the kiddos entertained this summer with some pro photo tips to help you level up this summer's memory book!

1. Clinton County Showcase: The Little Mermaid Jr.

When: June 26–29, 2025, 8:00 PM nightly
Where: Northside Park, Breese, IL
Details & Tickets: Clinton County Showcase – The Little Mermaid Jr.
Photo Tip: Don't forget to get a picture with the members of the cast and tell them how awesome they did! Your kids will love a picture with the real life Ariel!

2. Highland Summer Concert Series

When: Every Friday, June 13 – August 8, 2025, 8:00–9:30 PM
Where: Highland Square, Highland, IL
Details: Highland Muny Band Concerts
Photo Tip: Golden hour light is gorgeous for portraits! Don't forget to get a close up of some details! The square is a great place for pix!

3. Albers Music in the Park

When: Thursdays throughout the summer, 7:00 PM (e.g., June 12, July 31, August 7)
Where: Lehrter/JC Park Stage, Albers, IL
Details: Event Info on Facebook
Photo Tip: Take action shots of the kids playing in the grass or dancing to the band. Don’t be afraid to get silly! Bring bubbles along for even more fun!

4. Toast & Table Kiddo & Keeper Cooking Class

When: July 30, 2025, 6:00 PM
Where: Toast & Table, 227 W 1st St, O’Fallon, IL
Details & Registration: Toast & Table Cooking Classes
Photo Tip: Snap close-ups of messy hands, floury faces, and the “proud chef” moment with their finished dish. Ask a fellow classmate to take a picture of the two of you together!

5. Watershed Nature Center Summer Camps (Edwardsville, IL)

When: June 23 – August 15, 2025 (various weekly camps)
Where: 1591 Tower Ave, Edwardsville, IL
Details: Watershed Nature Center Camp Info
Photo Tip: Take photos of your kids exploring nature, looking for bugs, or holding up their nature “discoveries.” I love a dirty face picture. Dirty faces = fun days!

6. Clinton County Fair & Whippoorwill Rodeo

Fair Dates: July 13–19, 2025
Rodeo: Friday, July 18, 2025, 7:00 PM
Where: Clinton County Fairgrounds, 1899 Methodist St, Carlyle, IL
Details: Clinton County Fair Events | Rodeo Facebook Event
Photo Tip: Capture the excitement of the rides, games, and livestock shows. The rodeo offers action shots. Try burst mode for catching those fast-moving moments! Make sure to grab candids of your kiddos expressions!

7. Breese Public Library Summer Reading Program

When: July 1–31, 2025
Where: Breese Public Library
Details & Sign Up: Breese Library Summer Reading Info
Photo Tip: Snap a pic of your child with their favorite book, or reading together under a tree. Pay attention to the types of stories they love and play dress up with them as their favorite characters. You can do an entire scrapbook of memories about their favorite stories.

8. Summer Family Fun Day – Free Yoga with Moonbird Yoga

When: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10:00 AM
Where: The Farm Stand, 610 N Madison St, Lebanon, IL
Details: Event Details
Photo Tip: Leave your phone in your bag! Be present with your kiddos and enjoy the peace of mind and giggles this fun yoga sesh will bring.

9. Clinton County Showcase Summer Series: Hello, Dolly!

When: July 31–August 3, 2025, 8:00 PM nightly
Where: Northside Park, Breese, IL
Details & Tickets: Hello, Dolly! Tickets
Photo Tip: Dress up for the show! Make some fun period piece hats and use them as props for some fun pictures!

10. O’Fallon Family Sports Park Splash Pad & Summer Movie Nights

Splash Pad: Open daily, Memorial Day–Labor Day
Movie Nights: Select Fridays/Saturdays, June–August 2025 (check schedule)
Where: 301 Obernuefemann Rd, O’Fallon, IL
Details: O’Fallon Parks & Rec Events Calendar
Photo Tip: WATER AND KIDS IS SO FUN! if you have a big camera, change the settings to practice stopping the water and the fun! Work with the sun to create fun candid shots of your tots playing. If you want to pose them for a smile pic, find the shade do not face them toward the sun.

Bonus: General Summer Photo Tips

Golden Hour is Your Friend: Aim for photos in the hour after sunrise or before sunset for the prettiest light.
Get in the Picture: Don’t forget to ask someone else to snap a shot with you in it!
Candid is Best: My favorite memories are the unposed. Capture the laughter, the mess, and the in-between moments.
Don't Forget a Detail or Two: Get close! Zoom in! Get pictures of their little fingers, their eyelashes, their noses and toes! You can never have too many of those!
For the Tween Parents: Ask your tween to be the photographer and take goofy pictures of you. Give them a chance to pick the location. Let them check the camera, BUT don't let them be too critical. Coach them to see the positives not all the negatives about themselves!
For the Teen Parents: Our days with them all the time are numbered so grab those selfies. Go on a mural hunt this summer! St Louis, Belleville and Edwardsville all have fun murals to find.

Want to capture your summer fun forever? I’d love to help you create family portraits that feel as joyful and real as your favorite memories.
Ready to book your session or have questions? Reach out at Jill Daugherty Photography or call (618) 789-0735.

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