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.
Jan. 19
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.
Walk-In Craft Projects: Monday, Jan. 19; Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14; Friday to Monday March 6-9; and Monday to Sunday, March 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.
Free kids movie matinees: 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Parents, caregivers and kids are invited to a free showing of the film "Snow Buddies." "WALL*E" will be shown on Feb. 16 and "Balto" on March 2. No registration is needed. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All films are rated "G." For information, call (847) 244-5150 or visit wnpl.info.
The Bucket Boys: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Mechanics Grove School, 1200 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The Bucket Boys will hold a performance. The entrance fee is $2.
Jan. 20
Teen Action Group: 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St. Wauconda. Teens can share their opinions on book selection, teen programming and more. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 526-6225 or visit wauclib.org.
Storytimes: Jan. 20 to Feb. 12, March 3-26 or April 21 to May 14, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Terrific Twos & Threes, for accompanied children age 2 or 3, meets from 9:30-9:50 a.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays; Preschool Storytime, for unaccompanied children age 3, 4 or 5, meets from 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesdays. To register, call (847) 438-3840, or visit eapl.org.
Jan. 21
Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 and Thursday, Jan. 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.
Winter Tales: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda. For children 5 and under. Program features winter stories and a winter-themed craft. After the program, kids can explore the new Children's Learning Gallery, an exhibit and play space for kids 10 and under. Cost is $6 per adult and $2.50 for children 4 and up; children 3 and under are free. Price includes museum admission. Registration is required; register at LCFPD.org or (847) 968-3321. For information, visit the Web site or call (847) 367-6640.
Jan. 22
Get your baby ready to read: 11 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 22 and 29, Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Learn about the six skills that every child needs in order to learn to read. For babies 13-23 months old. Registration with a WNPL card is required for the free program. For information, call (847) 244-5150. Register at wnpl.info.
It's Magic: 4-4:55 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, Mundelein Community Center, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Ages 5-13 can learn magic tricks with cards, ropes, coins and more. Age-appropriate materials are included with registration. Cost is $19 for Mundelein residents, $29 for nonresidents. To register or for information, call (847) 566-0650, or visit mundeleinparks.org.
Jan. 23
Friday Fun Faire: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Lake Villa District Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. For 3-year-olds through kindergartners to enjoy a story and make a craft. Adult supervision required. For information or to register, call (847) 356-7711 or visit lvdl.org.
Sketchbook Teen Drawing Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St. Wauconda. An art instructor will be on hand to help teens develop their artistic expression. No charge but registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 526-6225 or visit wauclib.org.
Jan. 24
Preschool Saturdays: 9:30-10 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 24 and 31, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Stories just right for preschool children. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Life on the Prairie: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the "Little House on the Prairie" series, by reading stories and making a prairie craft. To register, contact the library in person, at (847) 223-5313 or at grayslake.info.
Jan. 25
FUNtastic Family Fair: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Avenue West, Highland Park: The fair, aimed at preschoolers through sixth-graders, is for parents and their kids. It features over 50 hands-on interactive exhibitors about healthy choices, fitness, and arts and expression. Exhibitors will sell and show handcrafted items. For information, call (847) 831-8828 or visit infinityfoundation.org.
Jan. 26
Monday Morning Tots: Between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26 Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Stop by to meet with other families and share a variety of toys and books. Designed especially for infants and toddlers. Siblings are welcome. Registration is not required. VAPLD cardholders only. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Daycare and Preschool Fair: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The fair gives parents the chance to meet and chat with area day care and preschool providers. No registration required. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Lunar New Year Baby Jam: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. This drop-in program for 1- and-2-year-olds with a caregiver will feature dance-along tunes to celebrate the New Year. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Jan. 31
Preschool Saturdays: 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Stories just right for preschool children. For information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Feb. 4
Abraham Lincoln: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Abraham Lincoln will be on hand to discuss the importance of reading as the library celebrates his 200th birthday. For details or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Ongoing
Preschool screenings: Gurnee Public School District 56 holds preschool screenings during the school year at Spaulding Elementary School, 2000 Belle Plaine Ave., Gurnee. The screenings are for children ages 3-4 who live in District 56, and examine a child's skill in speech/language, fine and gross motor skills, concept development, attention span, behavior, vision, and hearing. Parents with questions or concerns about their child's development in any of these areas may schedule an appointment by calling Spaulding School at (847) 662-3701. There is no charge for the screening.
American Legion Auxiliary: Entries are due by Feb. 6. The American Legion Auxiliary is taking entries to join the Americanism Essay contest titled, "Where are the American Heroes of Today." The contest is open to boys and girls in seventh through 12th grades. Winners in each class can earn cash prizes or scholarships. Call Ruth Stark at (847) 587-2526.
After School Adventures: 4:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Feb. 19. Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Games, crafts and music for children in kindergarten and first grade. Parents may register their children for individual sessions. Register online at fremontlibrary.org, by calling (847) 918-3218, or in person at the Youth Services desk.
Family Drop-In Storytime: 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 11, Lake Villa District Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Drop in for a story. For information, call (847) 356-7711 or visit lvdl.org.
Relax and Read to Rover: 5-6:30 p.m., Mondays, Jan. 12 to March 2, Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Children in grades 1-6 are invited to bring their favorite books and read to a certified therapy dog. Each session will last 20 minutes. Registration is required. For more information, call the Children's Services at (847) 526-6225, ext. 212.
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.
Fremont's Impressive Teens: 4 to 5:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Open to students in grades 7-12. Teens who attend two F.I.T. meetings are eligible to earn service hours by volunteering at the library. Register online at fremontlibrary.org, by calling (847) 918-3218, or in person at the Youth Services desk.