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.
District 23 Kindergarten: Prospect Heights School District 23 is accepting names of children, who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2010. Children must be age 5 by Sept. 1, 2010. A call to the school office at Betsy Ross (847) 870-3868 or Eisenhower (847) 870-3875 will result in a packet of information being sent to you regarding registration and orientation. Registration will take place from 1-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Betsy Ross School, 700 N. Schoenbeck Road and from 2-7 p.m. at Eisenhower School, corner of Camp MacDonald and Schoenbeck roads.
Kingswood Preschool registration: Kingswood Preschool registration for the 2010-2011 school year is now open. For information about the program, current tuition prices or to schedule a personal tour, contact Laura Kpoka, (847) 398-0770, ext. 24 or kingswoodpreschool@comcast.net. Visit kingswoodpreschool.com.
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.
Dec. 28
Lapsit: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Babies from birth to 18 months enjoy stories, puppets, finger plays and playtime with their parents. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 29
Teddy Bear Tea Party: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Bring your Teddy bear or other favorite stuffed toy to hear stories an enjoy treats. Parents and grandparents are also welcome. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
Falcon Park Neighborhood Welcome: Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Falcon Park Recreation Center, 2195 N. Hicks Road, Palatine. Come see the new facility and preview some programs including free drop-in basketball, volleyball and soccer and free use of the track. For information, (847) 202-5111.
"The Art of Railroads": 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St., Des Plaines. Registration required. $3 adults; free for children 12 and under. Celebrate the railroad heritage of Des Plaines and the United States with Janet Thompson and William Grice III. Program for families includes photos, poems, paintings, more. Registration required. For information, call (847) 391-5399 or desplaineshistory.org.
Hodge Podge Crafts: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 29, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Drop in between 10-11:30 a.m. and make a craft from the library's leftover materials. For 3-year-olds to fifth graders. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult. For details, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Create a Craft: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Drop in and create a craft. Children under 10 need to be accompanied by an adult. To register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Nintendo Wii Game On: 1:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Teens can play Wii games including "Guitar Hero" and "Super Smash Bros. Brawl." To register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Dec. 30
Parenting a Child with Special Needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 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.
Winter Break activity: Noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Lean hose to make a snowman without any snow. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
New Year's Eve Party: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Community Center Dance studio, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Pizza, juice and dessert, games, prizes. Open to children in grades kindergarten-six. $8-$12. To register, (630) 837-2468 or hppark.org.
Krusin' Kids trip: Departs 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 from the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines for a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and Waterworks. $34-$43. For information packet, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Leisure Lizards Day: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. Gym sports and games, bingo, baggo, arts and crafts, use of game room and board games available. $23-$29. To register, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Dec. 31
Krusin' Kids trip: Departs 9 a. m. Thursday, Dec. 31, from the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines for a trip to Monkey Island. $34-$43. For information packet, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Almost New Year's: 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 31, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Children ages 406 play games, make party favors and celebrate 2010. Register at (847) 506-2620 or ahml.info.
CD Clocks for Teens: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Teens can decorate old CDs and assemble a CD clock. $3 kit fee. Space is limited. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
New Year's Eve Party: 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 31, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Children are invited to an early New Year's Eve party. Make a craft, play games, make some resolutions and have snacks. This program is most appropriate for children between the ages of 5-10 years. No registration required. Tickets given out 30 min. before program. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Leisure Lizards Day: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. Gym sports and games, bingo, baggo, arts and crafts, use of game room and board games available. $23-$29. To register, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
New Year's Eve overnighter: 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31-9 a.m.-Friday, Jan. 1, Prairie Lakes, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Lock-in for grades one-eight includes gym sports and games, arts and crafts, board games, movies, use of the game room, party, dinner and balloon drop. $36-$45. For information or to register, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Jan. 2
Tales With Tails registration: Begins Saturday, Jan. 2, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Register for the Tales With Tails program in which children in grades two-five read to a specially trained dog from Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy. For information, (847) 253-5675.
Jan. 3
Youth ski and snowboard trip: 9 a.m. bus departs Sunday, Jan. 3, from the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines for a trip to Tyrol Basin, Mt. Horeb, Wis. Trip for grades one-12 includes lift ticket and equipment rental. $67-$84. Lift ticket only $52-$65. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Jan. 4
Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 6-12 can enjoy a new Anime movie or series and Japanese snacks. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Twitterature Fest: Monday, Jan. 4-Sunday, Jan. 31, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Month-long Twitter book discussion for prizes. Can you discuss your favorite book in 140 characters or less? For informaiton, e-mail Megan at teens@palatinelibraryl.org to receive your Twitterature participation guidelines.
Jan. 5
Twitter 101 Lab: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Instructional lab will have you twittering like a pro. For grades seven-12. To register, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
Cocoa and Cookies: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 5-Jan. 26, Ahlstrand Fieldhouse, 6900 Catalpa Road, Hanover Park. Ages 3-5 learn about season of winter through weather, animals, nature activities, crafts and games. Warm cocoa and cookies served each week. $24-$36. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Jan. 6
Legos at the Library: 4-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6 and Feb. 3, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Build something related to a book-based theme or make whatever you want. Snacks provided. Ages 6 and up. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org.
Kids Boot Camp: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 10, Prairie Lakes, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Games, races, and tournaments with exercise for ages 7-12. $35-$45. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Jan. 7
After school crafts: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Ages 6 and up make cool crafts after school. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055.
Jan. 8
Wiggles and Giggles: 10-11 a.m. Fridays Jan. 8-Feb. 5, Community Center, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Ages 12-36 months can enjoy climbing, sliding, jumping and crawling on equipment. Parents stay with child. $18-$27. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Jan. 9
Enchanted Kingdom Puppet Show: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. A variety of characters from various fairy tales will appear. For ages 4-12. Tickets given out 30 minutes before program. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 10
Chess Tournament: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Indian Trails Public Library partners with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation for their second annual chess tournament. All play levels welcome; for first-graders and older. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 11
Improving Grades: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Learn to use the library to ge better grades, improve test scores and have more fun while learning. Register at (847) 923-4437.
Jan. 15
Drop in crafts: 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Drop into the library and discover a fun craft. While supplies last. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org.
Jan. 18
Mini Golf at the library: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Drop in for a few rounds of golf on the library's indoor putting green. For information, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
Knit your own scarf workshop: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Mosaic Yarn Studio in Des Plaines guides participants through a simple scarf project. Bring knitting needles (size US 35, 19 mm). Register at (847) 358-5881, ext. 132 or palatinelibrary.org.
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.
Jan. 30
Mysteries of the Spellbinder: 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 30, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Magician Walter King Jr. will perform state-of-the-art illusions for participants in the winter reading program. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Feb. 3
Legos at the Library: 4-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Build something related to a book-based theme or make whatever you want. Snacks provided. Ages 6 and up. Drop-in. (847) 259-6055 or rmlib.org.
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.