Northwest 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. Deadline is 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.

Dec. 7

Kids Culinary Academy-Holiday Classics: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Whole Foods Market Palatine, 1331 N. Rand Road. Junior chefs cook classic dishes with a natural and organic twist. For children ages 7-10. (847) 776-8080 or ahpd.org.

Anime Club: 4-5:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 6-12 can see a new Anime movie or series and enjoy Japanese snacks. Registration required; (847) 459-4100 or www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Record Bowls: 4:30-5:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade can make a decorative bowl out of an old record. No registration required; tickets will be given out 30 minutes before the program begins. (847) 459-4100 or www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Scrabble for Kids: 3-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Drop in for a friendly game of Scrabble. Library supplies game boards. For grades three and up. (847) 358-5881 or palatinelibrary.org.

Funky Marble Crafts: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Make simple, decorative holiday gifts using clear craft marbles and magazine cutouts. Make magnets, pins, tokens. For grades seven-12. Register at (847) 358-5881, ext. 133 or palatinelibrary.org.

Teddy Bear Holiday Party: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Sunderlage Farmhouse, 1775 Vista Lane, Hoffman Estates. Stories, prizes and treats for children ages 3-6, with an adult, hosted by the village of Hoffman Estates Historical Sites Commission. Bring your Teddy bears. Seating is limited, reservations to (847) 781-2606 before Monday, Dec. 7.

Dec. 8

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

Open storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8; 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9; and 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Stories and songs for children ages 6 and under. (847) 253-5675.

Dec. 9

Parenting a Child with Special Needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 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.

Teen Glass Etching: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Teens can etch a delicate design and turn everyday glass into a holiday gift. $3 kit fee. Space is limited. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

On Your Way to Christmas: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Craft time, kid-friendly buffet supper, followed by an Advent Worship Service at 7 p.m. Freewill donation accepted to cover the cost of food. Register at (847) 253-4839.

Gingerbread house workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Northbrook Park District Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave. Children ages 3-14, with a parent, can create a gingerbread house. Register at (847) 291-2995 or nbparks.org.

Dec. 10

Movie at the library: 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Viewing of "My Sister's Keeper," (PG-13-106 minutes). Register at (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org/events.

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Search for the wide variety of candy canes scattered throughout the outdoor grassy area. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. All ages. $2-$4. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Swim with Santa: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Pavilion Aquatic Center, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Games, crafts and swimming for children. Adults must accompany their children. $7-$10 for children; $5 for adults. Register at 847) 593-6248 or elkgroveparks.org. before Thursday, Dec. 10.

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

Whimsical Winter Wonderland: 4-4:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Children ages 7 and up make something wintry to decorate for the season. Supplies and snacks are provided. To register, (847) 259-6050, ext. 140.

Dec. 12

Brunch with Santa: Saturday, Dec. 12, Twin Lakes Clubhouse, Palatine. Delicious food, games, crafts, entertainment and Santa. For information and reservations, call (847) 259-6890.

Lunch with Santa: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Cardinal Drive Church of Christ 2300 Cardinal Drive, Rolling Meadows. Each person is asked to bring one can of food for those in need. (847) 259-2995 or cdfamily.org.

Cookie Walk/Living Nativity: 9-11 a.m. Saturday Dec. 12, Bethel Lutheran Church, 3839 W. Frontage Road, Palatine. Homemade cookies sold for $9/pound. The Living Nativity at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Refreshments served. (847) 397-4372.

Breakfast with Santa: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave. Cost is nonperishable food donation for the CEDA pantry. Bring your cameras, all welcome to attend and enjoy a pancake breakfast, Christmas crafts, and a visit with Santa. Pick up free tickets in advance at the church office. Call (847) 255-5112 or visit fumcah.com

Teen Holiday Craft Party: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Crafts to make and give as gifts. Library supplies the materials and instructions for making potpourri, pomanders and greeting cards. Register at (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org/events.

Breakfast with Santa: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Northbrook Park District Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave. Register at (847) 291-2995 or nbparks.org.

Holiday Wonderland Festival: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Games, toys, entertainments, prizes, crafts, caroling, inflatables, concessions, kiddie train rides, and photos with Santa for children and parents. $6 in advance; $8 day of. Parents and children under 2 are free. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

WildStang Robotics Team: Saturday, Dec. 12, IIT, Chicago. Team, sponsored by Motorola and District 214, attends the FIRST Technical Challenge Robotics competition. Includes students from Rolling Meadows, Wheeling and Prospect high schools. For informaiton, mark.koch@d214.org.

Make a gingerbread house: 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Whole Foods Market Palatine, 1331 N. Rand Road. All ages welcome. $19.99 per house. Just bring your creativity. Register at (847) 776-8080.

Dec. 13

Polar Express: 1:45-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13; 9:45-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Hanover Park train station. All ages depart for the North Pole on the Polar Express to visit with Santa. Carols, special gifts for children, hot chocolate and treats. $8-$12 adults; $6-$9 children. For tickets and information, (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.

Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 13, Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates. Breakfast buffet with Santa. $14.95 adults; $9.95 children; under age 3, free. For reservations, (847) 781-3655.

Holiday Brunch with Santa and Scrooge: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. brunch; 1 and 4 p.m. performances of "A Christmas Carol, Sunday, Dec. 13. Brunch at the Double Tree of Arlington Heights, 75 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights; performances at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Package tickets are: $40 adults; $17 children ages 5-12; $10 for children 4-and under. Call (847) 427-4239.

Cookie Monster storytime: 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Whole Foods Market Palatine, 1331 N. Rand Road. Ages 3-6 with parents enjoy cookie-making and story telling class. Bring your Teddy bear. Register at (847) 776-8080.

Dec. 14

Mad Science: 7-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Explore magnetic fields, learn about static and current electricity, have "hair-raising" fun with the Van de Graaff generator and make lightning. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Lapsit: 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays, Dec. 14 and 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.

Family Laughter Club: 7-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, and Feb. 8, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court. Program combines laughter, gentle stretching exercises and talking about good-hearted living. To register, (847) 358-5881, ext. 108 or palatinelibrary.org.

Dec. 15

Bruce Lund: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Visit with Bruce Lund, creator of games such as "Fireball Island," "Quack Shot," "Dragon Strike," "Slap Happy," "Thlink," "Escape the Blob" and more. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Dec. 16

Crazy Candles: 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Create crazy candles using odd objects as containers. $3 kit fee. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Dec. 17

Preschool celebration: 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights, Road, Arlington Heights. Celebrating Christmas - Parent and Child Hand in Hand is designed for parents or grandparents and 2- and 3-year-old children as an introduction to the preschool experience in a Christian environment. $5. Register at (847) 253-4839 or e-mail clambs@sbcglobal.net.

Mom and son pancake pajama party: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, Community Center Dance Studio, 1919 Walnut Ave., Hanover Park. Have breakfast for dinner, dress in your favorite PJs and have fun with activities and crafts. For children ages 8 and under. $26-$39 per mom/son couple; $13 each additional son. To register, (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.

Dec. 18

Santa's Storytime: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, The Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Sip hot cocoa while Mrs. Claus reads her favorite holiday story. Includes crafts, a winter wonderland walk outside and a visit and photo with Santa. Free, registration required. Call (847) 437-9494 or elkgroveparks.org.

Play group: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Storytime and meet and mingle for children through age 3 with caregivers. Bring snacks. Drop-in event. (847) 392-0100.

Beth Judea Family Festival and concert: 6:30 p.m. hot dog and hamburger dinner; 7:30 p.m. concert by Rick Recht, Thursday, Dec. 24, Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Concert only, $10; family dinner with concert, $54-$72; adult dinner with concert, $18-$25. RSVP before Friday, Dec. 18 to (847) 634-0777 or LNeiman@BethJudea.org.

Dec. 19

Winter Break Camp: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21-Wednesday, Dec. 30, Ahlstrand Fieldhouse, 6900 Catalpa Road, Hanover Park. Sign up for a full or half-day. For kids Kindergarten through sixth grade. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.

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.

Skate with Santa: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Community Center & Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Open skate for the family with Santa on the ice at 10 a.m. Santa will be available for photos at 10:40 a.m., bring a camera. Free. Skating exhibition from 10:40-11:40 a.m. (847) 885-7500 or heparks.org.

"Charlotte's Web": 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Performance of the classical tale of Wilbur the Pig and his friends. All ages welcome. Register at (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info.

Dec. 22

Graeme and Catherine Thomson: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Join Graeme and Catherine Thomson of HL Games and play board and card games that focus on a combination of entertainment and education. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

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

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.

Dec. 31

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.

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.