NW suburban family calendar

Events specifically for children or teens as well as those for, 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.

Palatine Parks: The Palatine Park District is now taking registration for a variety of winter programs at the new Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 N. Hicks Road, which will open Monday, Jan. 4, with the Grand Opening Wednesday, Jan. 9. Winter programs include classes for children and adults, fitness, dance and athletics. For information, visit palatineparks.org/falconprograms.html.

Teen film fest competition: Creative film buffs in grades six-12 are invited to write, shoot and edit their own films, and submit them for consideration in the Mount Prospect Public Library's Teen Film Fest, beginning Sunday, Nov. 1. Your piece could be one of the films featured at the library's Jan. 30, public screening. Submissions are due Friday, Jan. 15. Full details are available at mppl.org/teens.

Nov. 23

Drumming circle: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Registered Music Therapist Rita Lopienski presents"Drumming Circles-The Rhythm of Life." Instruments provided, all ages welcome. Free. To register, (630) 213-0100 or rlopienski@pathwaysl.com.

Lapsit: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Babies from birth to 18 months and their parents can enjoy stories, puppets, finger plays and playtime. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Mini Golf at Palatine Library: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 700 N. North Court. Drop in for a few rounds of mini golf on the library's indoor putting green. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.

Nov. 24

Scratch Programming: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Grades 6-8 can create an animated character or video game with Scratch, a free program designed by MIT. Space is limited. Registration required; call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

Fun and games at the library: 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 700 N. North Court. Family fun with board games and puzzles All ages welcome. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.

Weird Science: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, Freeman Road Branch of the Palatine Library, 1262 Freeman Road, Hoffman Estates. Children ages 8-14 can prepare psychedelic milk, make snowflakes using a candle, watch water defy gravity. To register, (847) 934-0220 or palatinelibrary.org.

Nov. 25

Parenting a Child with Special Needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, JCFS, 1156 W. Shure Drive, Arlington Heights. Parents support one another as they discuss the stresses and challenges involved in parenting children with special needs. Ongoing weekly group. $15 per session. For information, call Pamela, (224) 625-2804.

Movie on the big screen: 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Comedy adventure about a 78-year-old balloon salesman, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure. Rated PG, 96 minutes. No registration required.

Pajama party: 7-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court. Special storytime for children of all ages. Wear your jamamas and slippers. Milk and cookies served. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.

Nov. 27

Wii Everyone: Noon-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court. Drop in for an afternoon of dun and Wii games. All ages. (847)( 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.

Nov. 28

Gamer's Glory-open play: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Board, card and video games provided for play. (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.org.

Christmas tree Lighting: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Prospect Heights Police Station, 14 E. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights. Prospect Heights Garden Club host tree lighting ceremony with carols, Santa, elves, hot chocolate and cookies for all. Free.

Nov. 30

Monday Morning Tots: 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Children under 3 and caregivers can stop by to meet with other families and share a variety of toys and books. At 10:30 a.m., attend a story and music time for infants and toddlers. Siblings are welcome. VAPLD cardholders only. No registration required. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

Dec. 2

Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Mary Edsey, native Chicagoan and author of "The Best Christmas Decorations in Chicagoland," takes a look at area holiday displays from the traditional to the incredible from downtown Chicago to the southernmost boonies. For adults and young adults. To register, (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.org.

Dec. 4

Pictures with Santa Claus: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Free photo with Santa, just bring your camera. For information, (847) 359-1080.

Inverness Park District Home Town Holiday Celebration: 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, North Park, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Santa arrives by fire truck at 5 p.m., caroling by the Sundling Junior High Chorus. Visit and share cookies with Santa. Visit invernessparkdistrict.com.

Dec. 8

JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Bernard Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook. (847) 763-3551.

Dec. 11

Holiday movie night: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Meineke Recreation Center, Schaumburg. For grades five and six. $11 includes soda, popcorn and sweet treat. (847) 985-2143 or parkfun.com

Dec. 12

Cookie Walk/Living Nativity: Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine, will sponsor two events on Saturday Dec. 12. A Cookie Walk will be held from 9-11 a.m. The cost of cookies is $9/pound. The Living Nativity will be held at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. (847) 397-4372.

Dec. 19

Breakfast with Santa: 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Bartlett Park District Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. Pancake breakfast, holiday crafts, visit with Santa. For ages 2-8 with paid/registered adult. $12-$16 adults; $10-$14 per child. (630) 540-4834.

'Winter Tales': 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Culturally diverse blend of old and new folk tales for children with Roscoe the Elf and a magical reindeer dance. $5. For tickets, (847) 202-5222 or palatineparks.org/box office.

Jan. 20

JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, Jacob Duman JCC at Woodland Commons, 370 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 763-3551.

Feb. 10

JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, Bernard Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook. (847) 763-3551.

March 2

JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, Jacob Duman JCC at Woodland Commons, 370 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 763-3551.