Families looking to JustPlay in Carol Stream

Eight-year-old Lauren Westra and her younger sister, Brooke, 6, were all about gymnastics.

As a local park district tumbling team spent Sunday showing off for family and friends, the Carol Stream siblings spent tried their hands at flipping around a bar, walking a balance beam and learning how to tumble using foam supports.

From tumbling, to fitness class demonstrations, dodgeball tournaments and improv comedy performances, the Carol Stream Park District's annual JustPlay! event seemed to have activities for every member of the family.

"When I told my daughters about it, they just said 'Daddy, we have to go,'" father Jay Westra said as the group walked toward a series of booths that included a game where parents could launch their kids down a makeshift bowling alley toward a set of pins.

Nearly 5,000 people were expected to attend the free daylong sports and recreation festival, which featured more than 100 events and activities that included Chicago Storm soccer clinics and performances by the Jesse White Tumblers.

Organizers broadened the size and scope of the annual event, moving the festivities to the Ross Ferraro Town Center.

"We want to encourage people to get out and get healthy," said Kelly Carbon of the Carol Stream Park District.

Under the park's tent, 5-year-old Timothy Pjerke was adorned in work goggles and helping his father, Paul, put the finishing touches on a small wooden planter with paper flowers.

Across the street at Hampe Park, Villa Park resident Don Kane watched from a small set of stands as his 8-year-old son, Ricky, bounded up and down ramps in the skate park in preparation for a skateboarding competition.

"He's been skating since he could move," Don Kane said. "I've got an old stack of boards at home, and he would roll around the house on his belly. I don't know if he'll be bringing home any trophies, but he can handle the ramps and the streets."