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.
Pumpkin sale: 9 a.m.-dusk Monday-Saturday; noon-dusk Sundays through October, St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 647 Dundee Ave., Barrington. Proceeds benefit youth mission trip to Haiti.
Oct. 26
Adventure Club - Pumpkins: 6:30-7:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Enjoy snacks and stories and decorate pumpkins. For kindergarten through third grade. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Oct. 27
Parenting a Child with Special Needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 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.
Study Buddy Homework Center: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 27, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Friendly high school students help grades one-eight with homework. (847) 259-3500.
Halloween Happenings: 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 27, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. The Puppet Place presents "Hansel and Gretel." for children through eighth grade. Dress in Halloween costume for a parade through the library. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35, or phpl.info.
Dancing through the Decades: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Beth Judea Youth Lounge, Route 83 and Hilltop roads, Long Grove. Teen dance through the decades dressed in clothes from their favorite decade. Free for members; $10 nonmembers. All invited. Aaron, (847) 634-0777.
Blam! Let's Make Comics: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, Indian Trails Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Russell Lissau journalist and comic book writer will discuss the ins and outs of making comics. For grades 3-5. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Teen Cracks in the Wall Murder Mystery: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Teens can follow clues to solve a murder. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Guitar FUN-damentals: Fall session begins Tuesday, Oct. 27, for eight weeks, Hanover Park Park District. Small group classes, bring your own guitar. Three levels. For information, (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Oct. 28
Son Of Franken-Scream Halloween Magic Show: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Halloween entertainment for the entire family. No registration required. For information, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Oct. 29
Career Night: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Prospect High School. Careers in health and natural resources will be highlighted. For information, call Krista Paul, (847) 718-7947.
Parenting Teenagers: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 29-Dec. 10, Spectrum Youth and Family Services, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Guided discussion and support for parents who reside in Schaumburg Township and have children ages 10-18. $25 per parent or couple. Register at (847) 884-6212.
Halloween Party: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Community Center activity room, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Ages 9 and under enjoy creepy games, crafts, prizes, mini pumpkin hunt, snacks. $4-$8. Register at (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
"Haunted High School:" 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at Prospect High School, 801 W. Kensington Road, Arlington Heights. Children ages preschool-fifth grade are invited to a safe Halloween alternative. Enter through Door 22; come in costume. Games, Monster Mash dance, face-painting, the pumpkin shot, temporary tattoos, storytelling, "Boo"sical chairs. Must be accompanied by a parent. Free, but donations of canned food for the local pantry are requested. (847) 718-5200.
Drum lessons: Thursdays beginning Oct. 29, Hanover Park Park District. Children and adults learn jazz, rock, blues, funk and Latin fun drum techniques during private half-hour lesson on a professional drum set. Instructor Verne Duddles. For details, (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Awesome Halloween party: 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Hat Trick Hockey, 6347 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Children ages 8 and under enjoy face painting, games, prizes, maze and moon bounce. Parents must accompany children. $4-$6. Registration required, call (847) 259-6890.
Halloween Parade and Storytime: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court; 5 p.m. Rand Road branch, 15885 Rand Road; and 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Freeman Road Branch, 1262 Freeman Road, Hoffman Estates. Come in costume, Halloween storytime, songs, parade through the library. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibary.org.
Parent workshop: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Community Consolidated District 93 office, 230 Covington Drive, Bloomingdale. "What Do You Know about Sexting, Cyberbullying, Texting Chain Messages and More?" Free. Register at (630) 539-3154 or ThomenB@ccsd93.com.
Oct. 30
Halloween Fest: 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Elk Grove Park District Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Hot dog meal, stories, games, family costume parade, pumpkin decorating, crafts, hayride. $5 per child; $4 adults before Thursday, Oct. 29. $10 per child; $8 adults at the door. (847) 437-9494 or elkgroveparks.org.
Teen Late Night Halloween Bash: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Traditional Halloween fun with a vampire twist. Teens can wear a costume to win prizes, eat treats, and play games including Twilight Trivia. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Haunted Mystery Tour: 4:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Olympic Swim Center, 660 N. Ridge Road, Arlington Heights. A trip to Enchanted Castle and the Jaycees Haunted House in Lombard for children ages 10-14. Haunted house, miniature gold, go cart rides, laser tag, pizza, more. Parents, who would like to attend, call Matt Healy at (847) 577-3040. $45. (847) 577-3000 or ahpd.org.
Haunted house: Meet 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, for a trip to a haunted house. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Cost is $10 per person with free McDonald's afterward. Destination is Scream Scene at Oakton Park in Skokie. (847) 998-1946 or stphilip.info.
Halloween BOO-nanza: 1-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, Wheeling Park District Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Preschool-fifth grade enjoy pumpkin decorating, costume parade, candy hunt, pumpkin shoot, movie, more. Parents must accompany children. Free. Call Kim, (847) 465-7673 or wheelingparkdistrict.com.
Oct. 31
Halloween Party: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 31, Community Center, 250 E. Wood St. Palatine. Palatine Park District host Halloween party for ages 1-10. Games, goodies, crafts, puppet show, Jim Nesci and his cold blooded creatures. $5-$7. Register at (847) 991-0333 or platineparks.org.
Scary Silly Stories: 11-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Chris Fascione acts out fun and family-friendly Halloween stories for all ages. To register, (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info.
Trick or Treat at Victory Centre: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Bring your children to trick or treat at Bartlett Victory Centre. (630) 213-0100.
Halloween party: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 31, Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Games, treats, crafts and some ghostly surprises for children ages 3 through fifth grade. Dress in costume. Admission is a bag of treats. All preschool children must be accompanied by a parent.
Halloween Boonanza: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Schaumburg. Children ages 1-14 enjoy carnival-type atmosphere with hay rides, prizes, candy, crafts, trick-or-treat in Safety Park, games, entertainment, moonwalk more. $6 per person. To register, (847) 490-7020.
Trick or Treat at Golf Mill: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Golf Mill Shopping Center, Golf Road and Milwaukee Ave., Niles. (847) 699-1070.
Halloween Party: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 31, Community Center, 250 W. Wood St., Palatine. Gym time, games, goodies, crafts, entertainment for ages 1-10 hosted by the Palatine Park District. $5-$6. (847) 991-0333 or palatineparks.org.
Russian Children Theatre "Charodei" Present: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. A theatrical game of well-known fairy tale characters. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Trunk-or-Treat: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Meadows Baptist Church, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. The parking lot will be filled with decorated cars and trucks for you to have a safe environment to trick-or-treat in. Games, food, candy and more.
Halloween Fun Fest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, downtown Bartlett. Costume sidewalk parade at 10 a.m., treats, games and prizes from participating merchants. Precedes official trick-or-treating hours in Bartlett of 3-7 p.m. and the Lions CLub Sight Night Illuminated Halloween Parade at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 1
Chili cook-off: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, Christian Life Church, 400 E. Gregory St., Mount Prospect. Chili, hot dogs, nachos and desserts will be served. Tickets at the door, $1.50, all you can eat chili; nachos and hot dogs $1. Trunk-or-Treat for children in the church parking lot at 4 p.m. (847) 259-3090 or mail@christianlifechurch.org.
Nov. 3
Preschool/kindergarten: 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Nov. 3-18 and Dec. 1-16, St. Paul, 100 S. School St., Mount Prospect. A new program for children ages 3 years through kindergarten. Students enjoy a variety of activities to help learn about God and the world around them. Contact Dari at dhartmann@saint-paul.org. (847) 255-0332 or saint-paul.org.
Cheerleading: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays Nov. 3-Nov. 24, Elsie Johnson School gym, 1380 Nautilus Lane, Hanover Park. Girls ages 6-12 learn the basics of cheerleading motions, jumps, dance, kicks and routines. $39-$54. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Chess: Beginning chess 4-5 p.m.; improving player 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 3-Dec. 8, Schaumburg Township District Library Youth Services classroom, 130 S. Roselle Road. For ages 6-14. $10 each class. Register at the Youth Services Games and Programs desk.
Nov. 5
Babysitter's Training course: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays Nov. 5 and Nov. 19, South Barrington board room, 3 Tennis Club Lane. Hands-on activities, video, role-plays and discussions will teach you to be the best babbysitter. Receive Babysitter's Training certificate from the American Red Cross upon completion. For ages 11-15. $65-$75. Register at (847) 381-7515 or sbpd.net.
Magic class: 5-5:55 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, Ahlstrand Fieldhouse, 6900 Catalpa Road, Hanover Park. Kids ages 5-12 lean tricks that involve cards, ropes, coins, mind-reading and more. $18-$27. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
Nov. 6
QUEST Days Off School Program: Meet 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, South Barrington Community Center, for a trip to Navy Pier which includes a scenic boat cruise. For grades six-eight. $40-$45. Bring money for lunch. To register, (847) 381-7515.
Nov. 8
Hoffmann's Animal Show: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court. A variety of animals - some common, some exotic- will delight children in this interactive program. For tickets, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
Nov. 10
39 Clues: Bonjour, France: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court. Follow in the footsteps s of the first book in the best-selling mystery series "39 Clues." Taste a chocolate croissant, lean some French phrases, exchange trading cards, and do a little sleuthing. To register, (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.
Nov. 11
Leisure Lizards: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. Supervised fun day for grades K-eight. Gym sports, games, bingo, baggo, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, more. $23-$29. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Krusin' Kids: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. Fun trip for grades two-eight to Enchanted Castle. Lunch provided. $34-$43. For information packet, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Nov. 12
Career Night: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Rolling Meadows High School. Careers engineering/industrial technology/business and computers will be highlighted. For information, call Krista Paul, (847) 718-7947.
JCC Camp Chi info night: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Jacob Duman JCC at Woodland Commons, 370 Half Day Road, Buffalo Grove. (847) 763-3551.
Nov. 13
QUEST Days Off School Program: Meet 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, South Barrington Community Center, for a scavenger hunt and movie. For grades six-eight. $40-$45. Lunch included. To register, (847) 381-7515.
Harvest Party: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Hay ride, games, DJ and food for children in grades five and six. $13. (847) 985-2143 or parkfun.com
Fantastic Friday: 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines. Gym sports, games room access, arts and crafts, board games, Baggo, outdoor play, movies for ages 5-12. (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Drum Circle: Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines, will have a Drum Circle at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Bring your own drum or percussive instrument or they will be provided, and experience an amazing change in consciousness and personal vibration. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. It includes people of all ages. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with self and with each other. All are welcome.
Nov. 14
Middle School drop-in: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Recreational activities for grades six-eight include dodgeball, basketball, music and dancing, volleyball, Karaoke, Guitar Hero, more. Pizza and pop for sale. $7 at the door, (847) 391-5700 or desplainesparks.org.
Nov. 19
Real Men Read: 6:30-7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Schaumburg Township District Library Youth Services classroom, 130 S. Roselle Road. Children ages 5-14, accompanied by fathers, grandfather, uncles or adult brothers, may bring their favorite book and read aloud.
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. 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.