Kids, teens and family
Events specifically for children or teens as well as those for families, 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.
Youth open gym: 4-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. To participate you must have an Open Gym Photo ID. Limited to the first 40 participants in grades three-12. $5 per visit. (630) 540-4834.
Kingswood Preschool: Nondenominational preschool at 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, open to children of all backgrounds and religions now accepting registrations for the fall 2009/2010 school year. For schedule and prices, call (847) 398-0770, ext. .24 or visit kingswoodpreschool.com.
Pet Photo Contest: Entries accepted through Dec. 31. Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Enter a photo of your pet with his/her favorite book. Open to kids age 6 through 12. Entry form and contest rules are at ahml.info. click on "kids' world." Call (847) 506-2620.
Dec. 22
Winter holiday art camps: 9:30 a.m.-noon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 22, 23 and 24; Monart Drawing Studio, 628 S. Arthur Ave., Arlington Heights. Open to ages 6 and older. Each camp is $115. For details, call (847) 788-9323 or visit sharpeexpressions.com
Lapsit Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. For infants 18 months and under and their caregivers, enjoy time together building language skills through the use of songs, finger plays, rhymes and stories. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jump N Art: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23, Pump It Up, 1234 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Art camp for children that combines art projects, playtime and structured physical activities. $99. (847) 885-8767.
Poms Clinic: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Build your poms skills with instructors from Fremd. Learn routines, build confidence. For grades one-five. $59-$65. (847) 934-6300.
All sports and dodgeball camp: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. For grades one-five. $32-$35. (847) 934-6300.
Drop-in Crafts: Wintry craft supplies will be available in Kids World during the weeks of December 22 and 29; Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. This is a drop-in activity for all ages during library hours; Call (847) 506-2620.
Dance and Arts Camp: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23; Prairie Lakes, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. For campers 6-14. Covers prop, scenery and costume construction, and several disciplines of dance. Performance at 3 p.m. on Dec. 23. Residents, $75; nonresidents, $94. Call (847) 391-5711 or visit desplainesparks.org
Winter Break Day Camp: 1-2 p.m., Dec. 22- Jan. 3; Clayground Art Studio, 550 Business Center Drive, Mount Prospect; Different medium featured each day, including charcoal, markers, pencils, paint sculpture, watercolor, clay, etc. Register for one or all six days. Open to ages 6 and older. Cost: Residents, $10 per day; nonresidents, $12 per day. (847) 255-1200
Ben Franklin program: 1-2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22; Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. "Benjamin Franklin" will share his life and how his inventions cam about. Open to grades Kindergarten -5 and registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Holiday Hide and Seek: Dec. 22 through Jan. 4, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Holiday Hide and Seek activity in Kids' World. Drop-in event for all ages; stop by the Kids' World desk
Chess Club: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. No prior knowledge of chess is required. All ages are welcome. Registration is required to participate. To attend, call (847) 459-4100 or signup online at www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Give Them a Break: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30 and Jan. 2. Ahlstrand Field house, 6900 Catalpa Road, Hanover Park. Games, crafts, computer lab, more. Sign up for one or all days. Open to children in grades K-6. For information, (630) 837-2468.
Winter Break trip to Enchanted Castle: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22, pick up and drop off at Salt Creek Park District's Rose Park, 530 S. Williams Ave., Palatine. $25-$28. (847) 259-6890.
Way Fun Winter Break Camp: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday Dec. 22 and 29; Tuesday, Dec. 23 and 29; Friday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 Meineke Recreation Center, 220 W. Weathersfield Way. For children ages 6-12 includes field trips, game, gym, art projects more. $40-$60. (847) 490-7020.
Family Gaming: 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Play Dance Dance Revolution, Rock Band or Nintendo Wii Sports with the whole family. Water and snacks will be provided. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Make a penguin ornament: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Drop in to make the ornament by yourself or with a caregiver. (847) 358-5881.
Holiday Day Camp: Various times, Starts Monday, Dec. 22; Frontier Park, Arlington Heights. This all-day camp is a mini-version of the Park District's Summer Day Camp program (Arlington Adventure and Sunny Meadows). Each day we'll have sporting activities, crafts, movies, and go outside, weather permitting. The Park District provides lunch on December 26 and January 2. Sign up for one day or all. Visit ahpd.org
Arts Alive - The Winter Adventure: Starts Monday, Dec. 22; Hasbrook Park, Arlington Heights. Students experience different types of art forms, games, movement, and crafts. Sign up for one day or sign up for all. Visit ahpd.org
Dec. 23
Winter Break trip to Funway Entertainment Center: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22, pick up and drop off at Salt Creek Park District's Rose Park, 530 S. Williams Ave., Palatine. $25-$28. (847) 259-6890.
Color My World: 11-11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Kindergartners through fifth-graders can help act out stories from popular story books with makeshift props and on-the-spot coaching. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Yu-Gi-Oh Match: 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Students in third through fifth grade can play each other. Bring your own cards, no trading allowed. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Winter Break trip to a movie and water park: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 23, pick up and drop off at Salt Creek Park District's Rose Park, 530 S. Williams Ave., Palatine. $25-$28. (847) 259-6890.
Dec. 26
Family fun night: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, Meineke Recreation Center, 220 W. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. For all ages includes Dj, table games, open play in the gym, concessions, more. (847) 985-2143.
Spring Valley Winter Break Camp: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday Dec. 26; Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Learn about winter ecology. Activities include tracking animals, looking for birds, learning about snow, snowshoeing and more. For ages 7-10. Sack lunches and appropriate dress required. (847) 985-2100.
Dec. 27
Winter break Hip Hop workshop: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Learn basic hip hop steps and improve your dance skills. For ages 7-11. $30-$33. (847) 934-6300.
Rockin' Dance Lock-In: 5 p.m.-9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 28; Des Plaines Park District leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. Des Plaines School of Dance welcomes girls ages 7-15 to a dance slumber party bash. Includes dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday with games, arts and crafts, movies and dancing. Residents:$40, nonresidents, $50. Call (847) 391-5700 or visit desplainesparks.org.
Preschool Saturdays: 9:30-10 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Stories for preschool children Dec. 27; short and entertaining films of stories old and new on Jan. 3. Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Dec. 29
Jump N Art: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, Pump It Up, 1234 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Art camp for children that combines art projects, playtime and structured physical activities. $99. (847) 885-8767.
Fremd Volleyball Camp: 1-3 p.m. Monday Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Led by Curt Pinley, Fremd High School varsity volleyball coach. Improve your skills or learn to play. $62-$65. (847) 934-6300.
All sports and dodgeball camp: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. For grades one-five. $32-$35. (847) 934-6300.
Winter Break trip to Rinkside Sports: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 29, pick up and drop off at Salt Creek Park District's Rose Park, 530 S. Williams Ave., Palatine. $25-$28. (847) 259-6890.
Kung Fu Panda: 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 29; Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane. Rated PG; 92 minutes Po is a kung fu fanatic whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. (847) 259-6050.
"Snowed In On Stage with Miss Rachel": 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29 and 30; Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Two day workshop includes writing, rehearsing and performing your own play. Invite your friends and family for the 4 p.m. performance on Tuesday. Open to grades K through six. $125. To register, call (847) 577-5982, ext. 221.
Fun and games at the library: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, Palatine Public Library District, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Enjoy old-fashioned family fun with classic board games and puzzles. All ages welcome. (847) 358-5881.
Preschool Storytime: 11-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. A short film and stories for ages 3 to prekindergarten 5. No parents or siblings are permitted in the story room. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Dec. 30
Hodge Podge Crafts: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 30, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Drop in anytime and make a craft from the library's supplies. This program is for 3-year-olds through fifth-graders. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Board Games from Around the World: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Play board games, including Cranium Cadoo, Clue, Uno Attack, Monopoly and Candyland, along with Mancala and other games from around the world. One adult per family should accompany children younger than second grade. Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Thank You Notes Drop-in Craft for Kids: 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Drop in and create thank you notes for holiday gifts. The Library will provide all materials. For all ages; no registration is required. For information, call (847) 438-3840.
Dec. 31
New Year's Eve Celebration: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 31, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Celebrate the New Year early with a craft, play a game, New Year's resolutions and noisemakers. Most appropriate for ages 5-10. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
"New Year's Eve On The Plaza": Downtown Des Plaines and headquartered at the Des Plaines Library, 1501 Ellinwood. Free bowling at Sim's, karaoke at the First United Methodist Church, Bingo at St. Mary Church Auditorium, and Arts and Crafts at the History Center. Live entertainment. Visit desplaines.org or call (847) 298-4644 or (847) 922-0556.
New Year's party: 3-6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31; The Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Participants will decorate their own masquerade mask, dance, ride on the carousel, play in Jumps n' Jiggles, and swim at the Pavilion Aquatic Center. Tickets at the Pavilion and the Al Hattendorf Center. Admission: $5 when purchased by Dec. 30; $8 Dec. 31. Call (847) 437-9494
Jan. 3
Preschool Saturdays: 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Stories for preschool children Dec. 27; short and entertaining films of stories old and new on Jan. 3. Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Jan. 5
Fairytale Theatre: 102 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5-March 16, Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road. Fairytale-based theatre class open to children ages 305. $80-$88. No class Jan. 19 or Feb. 16. (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.