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.
Dec. 22
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.
Benjamin Franklin: 1-2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Kindergartners through fifth-graders can listen to "Benjamin Franklin" share what life was like for him and how his inventions came about. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
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.
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 Sport with the whole family. Water and snacks will be provided. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Hanukkah for Children with Special Needs: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Brunswick Zone, 10 S. Waukegan Road, Deerfield. The Friendship Circle of Illinois invites children with special needs and their families to a Hanukkah Bowl, with hot latkes, doughnuts, Hanukkah sand art and Dreidel games. To volunteer or to RSVP, call (847) 833-6843, or e-mail rsvp@FCIL.org or visit fcil.org.
Dec. 23
Celebrate with a Movie: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Enjoy "WALL*E," rated "G" on the library's big screen. And, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, watch "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," rated "PG." Children under age 8 must be accompanied by a caregiver. For information or to register, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.
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.
Dec. 27
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
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.
School's Out Movie/Craft for Preschoolers: 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, McHenry Public Library, 809 Front St., McHenry. Watch "Abby in Wonderland" and make a craft. For ages 3-6 with parent or guardian. For information or to register, call (815) 385-0036 or go to mchenrylibrary.org.
Drop-in craft: 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. All children in preschool through sixth grade are welcome to participate. Materials will be provided, free of charge, to create a simple craft. For information, call (847) 526-6225, ext. 212.
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.
Teen Advisory Board: 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Teens can voice their opinions on past programs and help start new ones. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Drop-in Wii: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, Wauconda Area Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Children in grades 1-6 can play their favorite Wii games. Parents or adult caretakers of children under 9 must remain in the library while their children participate. For information, call (847) 526-6225, ext. 212.
Gamer's Open Play: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, McHenry Public Library, 809 Front St., McHenry. Play Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero for PS2 and MarioKart and Mario Super Smash Brothers Brawl for Wii. Participants can bring in their own games that are rated "T" or lower. Snacks provided. For grades 6-12. For information, call (815) 385-0036 or go to mchenrylibrary.org.
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.
Jan. 2
First Aid For Little People: 10-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Children can learn basic first aid skills abd safety tips and make a personal first aid kit to take home. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Polar Bear and Penguin Storytimes: 7-7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Activities will include listening to stories, doing a craft and eating an ice cream sandwich. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Monopoly Tournament: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, McHenry Public Library, 809 Front St., McHenry. Be part of the library's second annual Monopoly Tournament. For grades 5-12. Limited to the first 30 players who register. For information or to register, call (815) 385-0036 or go to mchenrylibrary.org.
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.
Dance classes: Registration for the second semester at Dancenter North will begin Jan. 3. The studio is also adding new classes to its second semester schedule, which begins Jan. 17. Dancenter North offers classes for all ages and levels. Registration can be completed by phone, fax, mail, or in person at Dancenter North, 540 N. Milwaukee Ave. in downtown Libertyville. Visitdancenter-north.com or call call (847) 367-7970.
Jewelry Making for Teens: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Make a colorful bangle bracelet using memory wire and sparkly beads with jewelry artist Serene Gergans. A $6 kit fee is required at time of registration. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 5
Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5 and 19, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read manga, eat pocky and watch a new Anime movie or series on the first and third Mondays of the month. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 7
Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 7 and 21 and Thursdays, Jan. 8 and 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Storytime for children 18-36 months and their caregivers. Share stories, finger plays and songs to encourage listening and motor skill development. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 19
Anime Club: 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Indian Trails Public Library, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read manga, eat pocky and watch a new Anime movie or series on the first and third Mondays of the month. Registration is required. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Jan. 21
Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 and Thursday, Jan. 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Storytime for children 18-36 months and their caregivers. Share stories, finger plays and songs to encourage listening and motor skill development. Registration is required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.
Ongoing
Walk-In Craft Projects: All December and Jan. 16-19, Feb. 13-14, and March 6-9 and 23-29, Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville and Evergreen Interim Library, 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills (Evergreen is closed Sundays). Look for creative holiday and winter fun for all ages. For information, call (847) 362-2330 or visit cooklib.org.
American Legion Auxiliary: Entries are due by Feb. 6. The American Legion Auxiliary is taking entries to join the Americanism Essay contest titled, "Where are the American Heroes of Today." The contest is open to boys and girls in seventh through 12th grades. Winners in each class can earn cash prizes or scholarships. Call Ruth Stark at (847) 587-2526.
Baby Jam: 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Offers music specially chosen for babies 6- to 23-months-old to give the babies a safe space to move and bounce; an alternative activity will be provided for siblings older than 3. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Family Jam: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a different style of music each week to get everyone dancing, for children ages 2-5 with an adult. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Big Screen Games: 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Offers a different interactive DVD game each week for first- and second-graders. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Afternoon Adventures: 1:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a different craft, game, or activity every week for first- and second-graders. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.
Lunch & Listen: Noon Fridays, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Features a one-hour sample of a different book on CD each week for students in fourth grade and up. Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch, and the library will provide drinks and snacks. For details, call (847) 918-3225 or visit fremontlibrary.org.