Lake Co. kids, teens and family calendar
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.
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.
Prairie Crossing Charter School Open House: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 26, Prairie Crossing Charter School, 1531 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. For residents of Woodland District 50 and Fremont District 79 interested in learning more about Prairie Crossing Charter School. For information, visit pccs.ws or call (847) 543-9722.
Jan. 28
Animé/Manga Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Drawing, big-screen entertainment, food, friends, and the latest in anime and manga. There is no charge, but registration is required. Call (847) 526-6225 or visit wauclib.org.
Jan. 29
Get your baby ready to read: 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 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.
Kindergarten Parent Information: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Hawthorn Middle School North, 201 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills. Parents in Hawthorn District 73 can get information about the kindergarten experience, Hawthorn's four elementary schools and the registration process. Beginning Jan. 30, Kindergarten Registration Packets will be available at the Hawthorn District Office, 841 West End Court, Vernon Hills as well as in school offices. For information, visit hawthorn73.org or call (847) 990-4200.
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.
Kingswood Preschool Open House: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 31, Kingswood Preschool, 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. Families can tour the facilities, meet the teachers, and register for fall. For information, call Laura Kopka, at (847) 398-0770, ext. 24 or visit kingswoodpreschool.com.
Crafty Kids: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Children in third grade and up can make a surprise project. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 223-5313 or visit grayslake.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.
Feb. 13
Walk-In Craft Projects: 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.
Feb.16
Free kids movie matinees: 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Parents, caregivers and kids are invited to a free showing of the film "WALL*E." "Balto" will be shown 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.
March 2
Free kids movie matinees: 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Parents, caregivers and kids are invited to a free showing of the film "Balto." All children must be accompanied by an adult. The film is rated "G." For information, call (847) 244-5150 or visit wnpl.info.
Ongoing
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.
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.
Storytimes: 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, through Feb. 12, then again March 3-26 and April 21 to May 14, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich.. To register, call (847) 438-3840, or visit eapl.org.
After School Adventures: 4:30 to 5 p.m. Thursdays 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.
Relax and Read to Rover: 5-6:30 p.m., Mondays through 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.
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.
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.