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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Before and After School club: The Hanover Park Park District sponsors this fun and safe program for children before and/or after school. Games, snacks, crafts, more for children attending Horizon, Ontarioville, Laurel Hill, Hanover Highlands, Parkwood and Greenbrook schools. For information, (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.

Youth open gym: 4-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. To participate you must have an Open Gym Photo ID. Limited to the first 40 participants in grades three-12. $5 per visit. (630) 540-4834.

Kingswood Preschool: Nondenominational preschool at 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, open to children of all backgrounds and religions now accepting registrations for the fall 2009/2010 school year. For schedule and prices, call (847) 398-0770, ext. .24 or visit kingswoodpreschool.com.

Tales with Tails: Registration begins Jan. 5; Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Children in grades two through five read to a specially trained dog from Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy during five weekly, 15-minute sessions held Thursday evenings from Feb. 19 to March 19. Program is reserved for Mount Prospect Library cardholders. Register in person at the library's Youth Services Desk. Call (847) 253-5675.

Jan. 5

Fairytale Theatre: 1-2 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5-March 16, Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. Fairytale-based theater class open to children ages 305. $80-$88. No class Jan. 19 or Feb. 16. (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.

Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5 and 19, 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.

Jan. 7

Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 7 and 21 and Thursdays, Jan. 8 and 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Storytime 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.

Drum lessons: Begins Thursday, Jan. 8, through Feb. 12, Hanover Park Park District Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave. Private 30 minute drum lessons for ages 8 to adult. $96. Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Jan. 9

Friday Tot Lot: 9 a.m.-Noon Fridays, Jan. 9-April 24, Sport Center gymnasium, 1141 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg. Parent-supervised open gym for children ages 6 and under. Includes balls, riding toys, climbing mats. $40-$60. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Jan. 10

Creative drawing class for children: Saturdays beginning Jan. 10 through Jan. 31, Hanover Park Park District Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave. Class introduces new drawing techniques to students with a strong interest in or talent for art. Ages 6-8 from 10 -10:50 a.m.; ages 9-11 from 11-11:50 a.m. Resident fee $34. Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Elvis Presley Birthday Sock Hop: 2- 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. The event will include costume contests, a live band, karaoke, trivia and crafts for kids. For information, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Jan. 11

All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast: 9 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Jan. 11; Arlington Heights American Legion Post, Douglas and Miner streets. Also raffle prizes. Cost: $6. (847) 253-6632.

Jan. 12

Beginning piano lessons: Begins Monday, Jan. 12 through March 30, A&A Music Academy, 27W281 Devon Ave., Hanover Park. $125 for Hanover Park Park District residents. For ages and class times, call Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Mom and Son Date Night: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Live entertainment, dinner, dancing and games. Sons must be between the ages of 4-10. $28 per couple. Registration required before Monday, Jan. 12. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Jan. 14

Young Rembrandts classes: Begins Wednesday, Jan. 14, Hanover Park Park District Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave. Combines what children need to learn with what they love to draw. Resident fee $36. For classes and ages call Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Noah's Art Preschool and Kindergarten: Registration for the 2009-2010 school year begins on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington. To arrange a tour or the preschool, call Mary Bradley at (847) 844-3738.

Preschool information night: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 14 at Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Avenue. The annual Preschool Open House offers adults an opportunity to meet teachers from more than 30 local preschool programs. Free; register at ahml.info or call (847) 392-0100. to reserve a seat.

Jan. 15

Roselle District 12 preschool screening: Thursday, Jan. 15, by appointment only. Screening in the areas of vision, hearing, motor development and language skills will be available for children between the ages of 2 years 9 months and 5 years old, who live within District 12 boundaries. For an appointment, call (630) 529-1883.

Jan. 16

Acoustic and electric guitar lessons: Begins Friday, Jan. 15 weekly through Feb. 27, Hanover Park Park District Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Beginning and advanced guitar lessons for ages 6 to adult. Resident fee, $175. Call Susan, (630) 837-2468.

Jan. 17

ArtReach Educational Theatre open house: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 915 Crestwood Court, Streamwood. See performances from students, meet teachers, enjoy dinner and tour the facility. For information, (630) 808-5852.

Jan. 19

No school sports time: Noon-1:30 p.m. for grades three-six; 1:30-3 p.m. for grades seven and eight, Monday, Jan. 19, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Basketball fun under the direction of a supervisor. $3. (630) 894-4200.

School day out trip to Medieval Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, meet at Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. For children ages 6-14. $22. (630) 894-4200.

Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 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.

Jan. 23

Teen Scrapbook Night: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Introductory scrapbooking class for children ages 12-18. Make six scrapbook pages using rubber stamps, cardstock, inks and embellishments. $20-$25, advance registration required. (630) 540-4834.

Jan. 25

"Spamalot" trip: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday Jan. 25, bus departs from the Palatine Park District Community Center, 250 W. Wood St., Palatine. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," Spamalot is a new musical directed by Mike Nichols. Arrive in downtown Chicago's theater district with plenty of time for lunch on your own before the 2 p.m. performance in the Auditorium Theatre. Seats are in the balcony, no elevator access in this venue. $70, residents; $105, nonresidents. Reservations required, call (847) 991-0333.

Feb. 6

Daddy/daughter dance: 7-9 p.m. Friday Feb. 6, North Park, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Dads and daughters dress up for an evening of live entertainment, refreshments, more. $34-$44; $9 for each additional daughter. Reservations required. (847) 934-6300.

Feb. 12

Palatine Park District Date Night: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Birchwood Recreation Center, 435 W. Illinois Ave., Palatine. For ages 3-12 with parent. $12-$18 per person. Dress up for a night of dining and dancing. Valentine theme evening included food and photos. Call (847) 991-0333.

Feb. 13

No school sports time: Noon-1:30 p.m. for grades three-six; 1:30-3 p.m. for grades seven and eight, Friday, Feb. 13, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Basketball fun under the direction of a supervisor. $3. (630) 894-4200.

Feb. 14

Dad and Daughter Date Night: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Live entertainment, dinner, dancing and games. Daughters must be between the ages of 4-10. $28 per couple. Registration required before Friday, Feb, 13. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Feb. 15

Daddy Daughter Date Night: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. For girls ages 10 and younger. Refreshments, photos, dancing, music and the magic of Jim Jensen Entertainment. (630) 894-4200.

Feb. 16

No school sports time: Noon-1:30 p.m. for grades three-six; 1:30-3 p.m. for grades seven and eight, Monday, Feb. 16, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Basketball fun under the direction of a supervisor. $3. (630) 894-4200.

School day out trip to Legoland: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, meet at Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. For ages 6-14. $22. (630) 894-4200.

Feb. 21

Flick and float: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Splash Central, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Bring your water noodle, raft or inner tube and float away while watching a movie on a big screen. $5-$7. (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.

Feb. 27

School day out trip to Gameworks: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, meet at Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. For children ages 6-14. $22. (630) 894-4200.

March 14

Family pirate brigade: 7:15-9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Splash Central, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Pirate-themed evening of water fights, water balloons, cannonball contests, relay races and food delights. $5-$8. Register at (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.

Preschool openings: The Salt Creek Park Preschool has immediate openings for its 3-4 year old program. Call (847) 259-6890.

Tutor. com: Youth Services Department at the Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm Street, Prospect Heights will have a new online service. Tutor.com connects to a real-time live tutor in an online classroom to work one-on-one on homework, studying, test prep, etc. Available daily from 2- 9 p. m. via the library's Web site phpl.info

Before and After School Care program: Weekdays, 6-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6 p.m.; nonschool days (except major holidays), 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2025 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Open to children ages 5 through 12. For details, call (847) 437-5176.

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