Events Of The Week For June 21 to June 27, 2010

It may be summer break, but your kids can actually be learning more than they ever did in a day of school! Most kids  learn best with hands-on projects and experiences, and this summer, DuPage is chock full of opportunities for learning! Just check it out...

MONDAY
There will be a Children's Story Hour at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Stories from the 1890's will be read to the children! The event is free, and no registration is required.

Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. $5.00 per child.

Do your kids complain about having to do chores on their summer break? Visit Kline Creek Farm, at  1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago, and try out the types of chores kids in the 1890's had to do around the house and farm! Show up at 1:30, 2:30 or 3:30 pm. The event is free and no registration is required! On Thursdays you can help Dad, and come back on Monday to try helping Mom!

TUESDAY
The AMC Theater at Yorktown Mall will host "Summer Movie Camp" every Tuesday at 10:00 am, for the rest of the summer.

The Cinemark Theaters in Woodridge and North Aurora will host a Summer Movie Clubhouse every Tuesday at 11:00 am, for one dollar per ticket. (A package of ten tickets can be purchased in advance for $5.00.)

Story Time at Pottery Barn Kids in Oakbrook Mall, 11:00 am. Kids who attend five times get a special gift! Kids can also play in the store before and after the story time!

Picture Book Picnic at Lufkin Park, 1000 S. Ardmore in Villa Park, from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm. Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch to eat while enjoying a storytime presented by the Villa Park Library!

From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, kids and caregivers can stop into the Elmhurst Historical Museum,  120 E. Park Ave in Elmhurst, to do a magic-themed craft project. This will take place on Tuesdays throughout the summer! To participate, visit the Education Building at the museum. The cost is $2.00 per child.

WEDNESDAY
Classic Cinemas will be hosting Wednesday Morning Movies for kids, each Wednesday at 10:00 am, throughout the summer. The doors will open at 9:00 am on these mornings, and there will be games, character meetings, etc, before the movie starts. Admission is just one dollar! Check the website to see which movie is playing each Wednesday at the Classic Cinema closest to you.

Marcus Theater will host Kids Rule summer movies on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 am, for $2.75 per person. The price includes popcorn!

Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 10:00 am.

Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 10:15 am to 11:30 am. $5.00 per child.

Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in Batavia, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.

Story time at Oakbrook Terrace Barnes and Noble at 11:00 am.

Its time for Wild Wednesdays at Lakeview Nature Center, 17 W 063 Hodges Rd in Oakbrook Terrace! Children will get to participate in a story time, and then meet an animal up close and in person, for free, each Wednesday!  The event takes place several times throughout the day: at 10:15 am, 11:00 am, 11:45 am, and 1:00 pm. While you're there, you can  go fishing, go paddleboating, play on the playground, and more! Lakeview Nature Center also participates in Passport To Adventure.

Or, try out a different Wild Wednesdays program at Cantigny! (1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.) Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, you can gather in the backyard of the Visitor's Center for a hands-on, nature exploration program for kids ages three to ten years old. This event is free, and no registration is required, but you still have to pay for parking at Cantigny. ($5.00 per car.)

Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. $5.00 per child

Outdoor summer concerts will take place every Wednesday night in downtown Clarendon Hills, starting at 7:00 pm. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on! No coolers or glass containers allowed. Food will be sold starting at 6:30.

THURSDAY
Marcus Theater will host Kids Rule summer movies on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 am, for $2.75 per person. The price includes popcorn!

Story time at Land Of Nod in Oakbrook Mall, at 11:oo am.

Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. $5.00 per child.

York Center Park District,  1609 S. Luther Ave in Lombard, hosts a free Kids Klub every Thursday at noon, throughout the summer. Different events and performances will be taking place each week. This week, we'll be meeting Irish Billy! Seating is on the ground, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs if you'd like. There will also be concessions for sale.

Don't let your kids' brains go numb over the summer! Help them get a nice history lesson with History Alive! every Thursday at the First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. Each week, a different war will be presented, and kids will play games and do crafts based on that war. Kids are welcome to dress up like soldiers, as well! This is a free event, and no registration is required.

Do your kids complain about having to do chores on their summer break? Visit Kline Creek Farm, at  1N600 County Farm Road in West Chicago, and try out the types of chores kids in the 1890's had to do around the house and farm! Show up at 1:30, 2:30 or 3:30 pm. The event is free and no registration is required! On Mondays you can help Mom, and come back on Thursdays to help Dad!

The Carol Stream Carnival will take place starting at 6:00 pm tonight, and continue throughout the weekend. You'll find it at Ross Ferraro Town Center, at the SW Corner of Gary Ave. and Lies Rd in Carol Stream.

FRIDAY
Excel Gymnastics Jr. Open Gym at Excel Gymnastics in St. Charles, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. $5.00 per child

Open Gym And Moon Jump Friday at Gymnasti in Carol Stream, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. $5.00 per child.

Preschool Playtime at Prairie Gymnastics in Batavia. 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm. $5.00 per child.

Story time at Bloomingdale Barnes and Noble, 7:00 pm.


SATURDAY
A flea market for kids will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Armstrong Park, 391 Illini Drive in Carol Stream. Kids can come buy used toys and sports equipment from other kids!

Bartlett's Art Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, at the Bartlett Town Center on Main and Railroad Ave. The event will include children’s art activities, storytelling by the Bartlett Public Library, henna art and drumming circles, as well as a wine tasting, free Italian ices, free lemonade and cookies, a sidewalk sale, dance performances, games, etc.  Forty artists will also have their work up for show and sale. Check here for a schedule of events!

Willowbrook's Family Fun Day will take place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Willow Pond Park, at Adams and Plainfield Rds in Willowbrook. The day will include free hotdogs for all, bean bag games, a fishing derby, and a moonwalk for kids.

Story time at the Oak Brook Borders at 2:00 pm.

Cantigny will host Dave Rudolf's Beach Party from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The event is free except for parking fees. ($5.00 per car.)You'll limbo, hula hoop, jump rope, do a conga line, watch the bubble machines, and listen to great tunes from Jimmy Buffet, Harry Belafonte, and Dave’s own original hits! Bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on.

SUNDAY
Little Friends Inc's Second Annual Step Up For Autism Walk-A-Thon will take place in downtown Naperville! Its not too late to register to participate for a walk and "fun run," including a mile long kid-friendly route. Besides the walk, there will be a resource fair, interactive displays, face painting, moon jumps,. and entertainment for all, including a hospitality tent for pets! (You can bring your friendly dog on the walk if you want! But don't bring an unfriendly one!) There will even be picture schedules available for people with autism to use... or download one ahead of time here. Participant registration will start at 8:30 am.

Bartlett's Art Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, at the Bartlett Town Center on Main and Railroad Ave. The event will include children’s art activities, storytelling by the Bartlett Public Library, henna art and drumming circles, as well as a wine tasting, free Italian ices, free lemonade and cookies, a sidewalk sale, dance performances, games, etc.  Forty artists will also have their work up for show and sale. Check here for a schedule of events!

The Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave in Elmhurst, will host the Magical History Tour Open House Spectacular from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. You'll see magical performances, meet the Bozo Show's Wizzo, and make ice cream disappear. This event is free!




Have A Great Week, everyone!