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Des Plaines History Center offers Afternoon Adventures

Children who would like to paint and race a wooden car and create a stained glass transparency are invited to Afternoon Adventures from 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, through Aug. 12, at the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St. The program is designed for children ages 5-12 with an adult. The fee is $3 per child, $2 with a member.

Children will also learn some history about the featured topic each week.

"This summer, our Afternoon Adventures program will bring out the kid in all of us," said Carmina Gonzalez, Des Plaines History Center program assistant. Gonzalez brings her many years of experience as an artist and teacher to the program.

Sessions include:

• June 24: "Des Plaines Farms and Beyond." Des Plaines was a thriving farm community in the early 1900s. Children will learn that most of the farms in Des Plaines were the main producers of crops such as onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, corn and carrots that supplied Campbell Soup Company. Kids will create a sock monster that will grow hair.

• July 1: "Toys and More Toys." Participants will discuss how children played in the 1900s. Toys back then were simple but lots of fun to tug and pull. Children will paint and race a wooden car.

• July 8: "1800s Photography." Kids will learn about the process of sitting for a photo in the 1800s and then review some historical photos. The session will involve some humorous moments in photography. Children will add color to some black-and-white masterpieces.

• July 15: "Stained Glass." Children will take a look at some of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs and hear about his contribution to the world of stained glass. Kids will explore the detailed work of craftsmanship of these masterpieces and create stained glass transparencies with glue and paint.

• July 22: "Campbell Soup Company." The Campbell Soup Company was one of the main employers for the farms in Des Plaines. In tribute to them, children will design Andy Warhol-inspired art.

• July 29: "Won't You Be My Teddy Bear?" The teddy bear was inspired by one of America's most beloved presidents, Theodore Roosevelt. Kids will learn the story behind this iconic creature and create a felt teddy bear.

• Aug. 5: "Kinder House." Participants will tour the 1907 Kinder House and imagine living in a home that, at the time, was the most modern one in Des Plaines. Children will create a stereoscope viewer from a shoe box.

Aug. 12: "Ice Cream Social." The summer program will end with an ice cream social at the History Center. Children will make the ice cream from scratch.

For information, call (847) 391-5399 or visit desplaineshistory.org. When online, visitors are invited to like the Des Plaines History Center on Facebook, follow on Twitter and become a member to receive updates, bulletins and newsletters.

The Des Plaines History Center is supported by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, its members and other local business and community contributors.

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