Museum plans Bubble Bash in Naperville
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Blast off!
Kids can launch themselves into the new year Friday, Dec. 31, at Bubble Bash, a New Year's Eve celebration and countdown to noon at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville.
It's a dual-purpose countdown this year as families embrace outer space with arts and crafts, snacks and activities centered on the theme of space exploration.
“We have an extremely popular pretend space play area,” said Marcia MacRae, the museum's art specialist. “It's so popular we thought, why don't we make that the theme of this year's Bubble Bash?”
The morning begins at 9 a.m. with activities on all three of the museum's floors.
One prevalent theme abounds: Lots and lots of bubbles — bubbles cascading down from bubble machines, bubbles being made near the water works area and bubbles raining down during the countdown to noon.
This year, kiddie band Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies will perform two shows, entertaining Bubble Bashers with songs, costumes and extra instruments for the audience.
“They're kind of characters,” said Alison Segebarth, director of marketing and membership. “They have dress-up roles. One of them is a little person. They're a little bit more well-known downtown or North Side.”
Arts and crafts opportunities include making a rocket shaker noise maker, creating an alien or an astronaut mask and making a jet pack to wear.
Kids also can help build a black light solar system by painting a miniature planet with glow paint.
“We're going to black off a room so you can create your own constellations,” Segebarth said.
Staff storyteller Ben Webber appears on the second floor.
Starbucks has donated coffee, and the drink of astronauts — Tang — will be served.
Children can decorate lunar cookies donated by Whole Foods and then eat them according to the phases of the moon.
Just before noon, the entire group will gather on the first floor for an official countdown led by always enthusiastic Mayor George Pradel.
Each year it remains a nice way to spend time with family during the day on a holiday often celebrated by adults at night.
“It's a big turning point in the year,” MacRae said. “Bubble Bash is a great way to think about the upcoming year and be with family. It helps them understand what it's all about.”
Bubble Bash sells out each year. Attendance is capped at 900 to keep from overcrowding.
Whether it's to ring in the New Year or wishful thinking about a launch into space, museum leaders say the countdown this year will have an extra special connotation.
“When you think of blast off, a lot of kids know the countdown,” MacRae said. “When we do the countdown to the New Year, it'll have even more meaning.”
Tickets are $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members. They can be purchased on the museum's website, www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org. For details, call (630) 637-8000.
If you go
If you go
What: Bubble Bash
When: 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 31
Where: DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
Cost: $20 nonmembers, $15 members
Info: (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrensmuseum.org