Your kids can jump in a bounce house, watch a magic show, and peek inside a fire truck — all before a free outdoor movie under the August sky. That's the lineup for Naperville's National Night Out kick-off on Aug. 3.

The City of Naperville announced July 22 that the free community celebration returns to the Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St., on Monday, Aug. 3, starting at 6:30 p.m. Games, giveaways, police equipment displays, a bounce house, and a magic act are all on the schedule. Food trucks will be on-site; food is available for purchase. The evening wraps with a family-friendly movie projected outdoors at sunset, with free popcorn while supplies last. Bring your own chairs and blankets. If it rains, the movie moves indoors.

The next night is even bigger. Thirty-six neighborhoods across Naperville have registered to host their own block parties on Tuesday, Aug. 4, between 5 and 8 p.m. Expect ice cream socials, live music, cookouts, kids' parades, and more bounce houses. City employees from the police, fire, public works, and utility departments will roll through many of those parties with trucks and equipment on display, giveaways, and safety information for families. Elected officials will also be making the rounds, the city said.

No Naperville City Council meeting will be held Aug. 4 so that officials can attend neighborhood events.

Little Friends donation drive

The city has partnered with Little Friends, a Naperville-area nonprofit founded in 1965 that serves more than 800 children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities each year across DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will, and western Cook counties. Donations will be accepted at the Monday kick-off, and neighborhoods are encouraged to collect items at their Tuesday parties too.

Items most needed include construction paper, kinetic sand, light-up toys and squishy toys; sensory items like bubbles and shaving cream; simple games for ages 6 and under; plain white T-shirts in sizes child small through adult XL; socks; underwear; and Target or Walmart gift cards. A full list is posted at naperville.il.us/nno.

What you need to know

  • Cost: Free (food purchases separate)
  • Monday, Aug. 3: Kick-off at Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St., 6:30 p.m. Movie at sunset.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 4: 36 neighborhood block parties, 5–8 p.m. Find your neighborhood's event at naperville.il.us/nno.
  • Accessibility: Details on wheelchair access, stroller routes, and sensory accommodations have not yet been posted. Check naperville.il.us/nno or contact the city for specifics.

This week in Naperville

  • Wednesday, July 29 — Naperville Park District fall program guide goes live online at napervilleparks.org. Start planning camps, classes, and leagues before registration opens.
  • Friday, July 31 — Last day for early-bird pricing ($40/person) for the 29th annual Rotary Ride benefiting Little Friends, Naperville YMCA, and Grow Wellness Group. Price jumps to $50 on Saturday, Aug. 1. Starts at Trek Bicycles, 3416 S. Route 59.
  • Monday, Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. — Naperville Park District resident registration opens for fall programs.
  • Monday, Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m. — National Night Out kick-off, Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St. Free. Bring chairs and blankets for the movie.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 4, 5–8 p.m. — 36 neighborhood block parties citywide. Police, fire, and public works on-site. Find your party at naperville.il.us/nno.
  • Thursday, Aug. 6, 8:30 a.m. — Nonresident registration opens for Naperville Park District fall programs.
  • Saturday, Aug. 8 — Junior Tour de Naperville, Wolf's Crossing Community Park, 3252 Wolf's Crossing Road. Ages 3–12. Helmets required. Register at napervilleparks.org/juniortourdenaperville.