Naper Settlement offers different type of King celebration

Students can keep their brain juices flowing even on their day off.

At least that’s what Naper Settlement organizers hope to do during the 19th-century museum’s “School’s Out! Super Cool!” event on Martin Luther King Day.

Instead of being couch potatoes, children can help out in the community Monday and also learn how nature creates its winter wonderlands.

Activities will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. It costs $45 for the general public and $40 for Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members.

Education Manager Nancy Smith said participants will write personal letters to students in “high-needs schools” and donate books, too. She said the project touches on the same issues King promoted, such as education, literacy and community service.

After the children write letters about their favorite books and hobbies, they can challenge each other to some winter games, like chilly ice box races. They also will learn about the history of famous snowstorms that have hit the area, make a festive snow globe, learn how snow is made and discover how people stored ice years ago.

For more information visit napersettlement.org.