Kids, teens and family
Events specifically for children or teens as well as those for families, including classes, park and library programs, music, dances, family fitness events, battles of the bands. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.
Dec. 8
Lapsit Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8 and 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. For infants 18 months and under and their caregivers, enjoy time together building language skills through the use of songs, finger plays, rhymes and stories. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Santa's Mailbox: Until Monday, Dec. 8, Round Lake Area Park District, Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Those wishing to send a letter to Santa can drop it off at Santa's mailbox. Make sure all letters include a return address so Santa can respond by Dec. 24. No postage is necessary. (847) 546-8558.
Chess Club: 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 8 and 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. No prior knowledge of chess is required. All ages are welcome. Registration is required to participate. To attend, call (847) 459-4100 or signup online at www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Holiday Etiquette Class for Children: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Instructors from A Touch of Etiquette will provide age-appropriate instruction in social grace and dining dynamics for ages 9-12. An optional book will be available for purchase after the program. Registration is required. To register, call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org.
Dec. 9
The Great Gingerbread Escape: 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Gingerbread-themed story and snack program for families with preschoolers.
Drop-In Storytimes: 9:30 a.m. for 1-year-olds and 1:15 p.m. for 5- and 6-year-olds Tuesday, Dec. 9; and 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, for 3- to 4-year-olds, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; and 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, for 2- to 6-year-olds, Evergreen Interim Library, 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills. For information, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.
Teen Action Group: 3:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Teens can have some pizza while providing input on library book selection, teen programming and more, and have some pizza. There is no charge, but registration is required. For information, call (847) 526-6225, or visit wauclib.org.
Music and Movement for You and Your Baby: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Family Network Parent/Child Center, 330 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. The program will be led by Lisa Griffith, Director of Music Together. For information or to register, call (847) 433-0377.
Dec. 10
Pajamarama Storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Ages 3 to 5 can wear pajamas and enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and crafts. Rregistration is required. Call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org.
Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 10 and 11, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. For children 18-36 months and their caregivers. Share stories, finger plays and songs to encourage listening and motor skill development. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Teen Bingo: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Play bingo and win prizes. Celebrate National Bingo Month and learn a bit of history about the game. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Household Supply Drive: Through Wednesday, Dec. 10, Fairhaven School, 634 Countryside Hwy., Mundelein; Diamond Lake School, 25807 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein; and West Oak Middle School, 500 Acorn Lane, Mundelein. District 76 schools are collecting toiletries, basic household supplies, baby supplies, and nonperishable food items for distribution within the community.
Dec. 11
Yoga for Preschoolers: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Children ages 3 and up can learn the benefits of yoga. Please bring a mat or a towel. Space is limited. To register, call (847) 438-3433, visit eapl.org or e-mail infodesk@eapl.org.
Teen Writing Workshop: 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Get creative writing ideas and brush up on writing skills. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Registered Storytimes: 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Stories for 2-year-olds with a parent or caregiver. Registration required. For information or to register, call (847) 362-2330 or visit webres.cooklib.org.
Dec. 12
Gift Jars: 5-5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Create jarred mixes with layers of ingredients. For kindergartners through fifth graders. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Holiday Craft for Teens: 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Students in sixth grade and up are invited to drop in to create holiday gifts using a variety of material provided by the library. For information, call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org.
Dec. 13
Breakfast with Santa: 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Viking Park Dance Hall, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Breakfast includes pancakes, Canadian bacon and sausage. Children can have their picture taken with Santa and receive a special gift. Space is limited. Tickets are $7 per person for Gurnee Park District residents $9 per person for nonresidents. Register at gurneeparkdistrict.com, or call (847) 623-7788.
Train Run and Book Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The North Central O'Gaugers Model Railroad Club will hold its annual Holiday Wonderland Train Run and Display. At the same time, the Friends of Fremont Library will hold a special holiday book sale in space adjacent to the train display. There will be holiday treats and activities for all ages. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Cinderella For a Day: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Plato's Closet, 1420 S. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville. Image consultant Gwen Rich will hold a self-esteem workshop for teenage girls. Rich will teach basics of wardrobe-building and makeup application. Admission is free. For information, call (847) 867-7203 or log on to www.imagebygwen.com.
Amelia Bedelia Bash: 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Children in second or third grade who have picked up a reading log and completed two of the featured "Amelia Bedelia" books are invited for a morning of games and refreshments. This program is offered free of charge; registration is required. For information, call (847) 526-6225, ext. 212.
Santa Breakfast: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Westfield Hawthorn Shopping Centre, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. The Children's Heart Foundation will host a breakfast at the mall food court. All proceeds will benefit the foundation. In addition to a hot breakfast and juice from McDonald's and coffee from Caribou Coffee, there will be goody bags, and raffles and children will have a chance to visit with Santa. Space is limited. The price is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, call (847) 362-2600 or go to westfield.com/hawthorn.
Dec. 14
Book Buddies: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Barnes & Noble, 720 Hawthorne Center, Vernon Hills. Learn about Hanukkah through art projects, story time and songs with families with children up to age 5. To RSVP, contact Abby Halper at (312) 444-2844 or email bookbuddies@juf.org. This free event is sponsored by Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and is open to the public.
Breakfast with Santa: 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 14 at Round Lake High School, 800 High School Drive. Cost is $5 for adults and $4 for children under 12 and seniors. Proceeds benefit the Round Lake Area Chamber's scholarship program for area high school seniors. Call the chamber at (847) 546-2002 for information.
Winter Christmas Tale: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Wheeling High School Auditorium, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling. The holiday show combines folk characters from American and Russian traditions, and is danced by 60 performers ages 5 to 50, most members of the Mazurdance School in Buffalo Grove and the Art of Dance School from Cleveland, Ohio. Tickets are $25, and are at the Mazurdance School and online at bomond.com. For information, call (847) 506-9390.
Santa Claus in Long Grove: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Bring an unwrapped gift for a boy or girl which will be donated to A Safe Place For Families.
Dec. 15
Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read manga, eat pocky and watch a new Anime movie or series on the first and third Mondays of the month. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 16
White Elephant Party: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Bring a gift get a gift. Come with a gift in a brown paper bag, with no name or any other identifying information on it. The goal is to choose wacky, funny or entertaining gifts. For grades 6-12. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 17
Pajamarama Storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Ages 3 to 5 can wear pajamas and enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and crafts. Rregistration is required. Call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org.
Teen Scrapbooking Club: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Bring pictures to build a scrapbook. For a one-time fee of $10, students receive an album with page inserts. The library provides all other supplies. The monthly theme is "Winter Wonderland." Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 18
Yoga for Preschoolers: 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Children ages 3 and up can learn the benefits of yoga. Please bring a mat or a towel. Space is limited. To register, call (847) 438-3433, visit eapl.org or e-mail infodesk@eapl.org.
Dec. 19
Teen Coffee House: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Open mic night and karaoke jam for local high school students. Pizza and soda will be available. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 22
Lapsit Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. For infants 18 months and under and their caregivers, enjoy time together building language skills through the use of songs, finger plays, rhymes and stories. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Benjamin Franklin: 1-2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Kindergartners through fifth-graders can listen to "Benjamin Franklin" share what life was like for him and how his inventions came about. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 23
Celebrate with a Movie: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Enjoy "WALL*E," rated "G" on the library's big screen. And, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, watch "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," rated "PG." Children under age 8 must be accompanied by a caregiver. For information or to register, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.
Ongoing
Walk-In Craft Projects: All December and Jan. 16-19, Feb. 13-14, and March 6-9 and 23-29, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville and Evergreen Interim Library, 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills (Evergreen is closed Sundays). Look for creative holiday and winter fun for all ages. For information, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.
Baby Jam: 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Offers music specially chosen for babies 6- to 23-months-old to give the babies a safe space to move and bounce; an alternative activity will be provided for siblings older than 3. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Family Jam: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a different style of music each week to get everyone dancing, for children ages 2-5 with an adult. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Big Screen Games: 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Offers a different interactive DVD game each week for first- and second-graders. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Afternoon Adventures: 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a different craft, game, or activity every week for first- and second-graders. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Lunch & Listen: Noon Fridays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a one-hour sample of a different book on CD each week for students in fourth grade and up. Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch, and the library will provide drinks and snacks. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.