South suburban resource guide

 

Bolingbrook Park District

200 S. Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook

(630) 739-1700

www.bolingbrookparks.org

Parent/Child Climbing Wall classes 9-10 a.m., Nov. 3-Dec. 22. Kids 6 and older with parent can learn climbing. Registration required. $84 pair, $56 resident pair.

Chicago Ridge Park District

9807 Sayre Ave., Chicago Ridge

(708) 423-3959

www.chicagoridgeparks.com

Turkey Shoot 7 p.m., Nov. 14. Parent/child teams can participate in a free throw contest. All ages. Free, charge for non-residents.

The Children's Museum
of Oak Lawn

9600 E. Shore Drive, Oak Lawn

(708) 423-6709

www.cmoaklawn.org

Craft Like an Egyptian, Nov. 1-3. Happy Birthday Sesame Street stories and crafts, Nov. 7-10. Thanksgiving crafts and stories, Nov. 14-21. Check Web site for updates and for regular museum hours and admission. Events are recommended for kids 2-10.

The Children's Farm
at The Center

12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park

(708) 361-3650

www.thecenterpalos.org

Family Christmas Card art class 1-3 p.m., Nov. 18. Explore printmaking and embossing in this family-oriented class. Reservations required. $8/person.

Downtown Joliet

City Center

(815) 774-6066

www.jolietdowntown.com

Light Up the Holidays Festival & Parade 5:30 p.m., Nov. 23. Bands and floats kick off the holiday season. The parade runs along Chicago Street.

Fossil Ridge
Public Library District

386 W. Kennedy Road, Braidwood

(815) 458-2187

www.fossilridge.org

Jim Gill Family Tour Show 6:30 p.m., Nov. 12. This family concert is filled with songs for kids. Performed at the Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church on Hickory Street. Call for more information.

Governors State University

Center for Performing Arts

1 University Pkwy., University Park

(708) 235-2222

www.centertickets.net

Annie 1 and 6 p.m., Nov. 4. See this award-winning musical tale of Little Orphan Annie at the Center. Winnie the Pooh 11 a.m., Nov. 17. The classic books come to life in this musical featuring Pooh, Tigger and the rest of the gang. Visit Web site for ticket information.

Homewood Flossmoor
Park District

3301 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor

(708) 957-0300

www.hfparks.com

Grandparent and Me Thanksgiving Feast 6:15-7:15 p.m., Nov. 6. Enjoy dinner and make a craft with Grandma or Grandpa. Make your own homemade butter, a Native American headdress and turkey. Ages 4-8. Registration required. $39/pair, $26/resident pair. Turkey Hoops 6-8 p.m., Nov. 9. Parents and kids can team up to shoot free throws. Your combined score may win you a turkey. Kids 4 and older with parent. Registration required. $4.50, $3 resident.

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center

2453 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields

(708) 481-2330

www.ironsoaks.com

Nighty Night 7-7:45 p.m., Nov. 16. Kids 2-3 years old can listen to stories and create crafts. Kids should come in their PJs with their favorite stuffed animal. Parents must accompany kids. Registration required. $3.

Joliet Area Historical Museum

204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet

(815) 723-5201

www.jolietmuseum.org

Light Up the Holidays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 23. Enjoy Victorian-themed crafts and activities for all ages. Free admission to the museum on this day.

Joliet Public Library

150 N. Ottawa, Joliet

(815) 740-2660

www.joliet.lib.il.us

Book Carnival 2 p.m., Nov. 18. Make a book, take a book walk, play book bingo and spend some time in the reading corner. All ages.

Joliet Public Library

Black Road Branch

3395 Black Road, Joliet

(815) 740-2660

www.joliet.lib.il.us

Craft Club 7 p.m., Nov. 5. Kids 9-14 can learn a new craft. All materials provided. Registration required. Free. Book Carnival 1 p.m., Nov. 17. Make a book, take a bookwalk, play book bingo and spend some time in the reading corner. All ages.

Joliet Junior College
Renaissance Center

214 N. Ottawa, Joliet

(815) 280-1404

www.rencen.info

Brunch with Santa 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 23. Enjoy brunch and then have a picture taken with Santa, make a gingerbread ornament, decorate Christmas cookies and make a chef's hat. There will also be face painting, raffles and games. Reservations recommended but not required. $10.95, $7.95 kids.

Lake Katherine Nature Center
and Botanic Gardens

7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights

(708) 361-1873

www.palosheights.org/lake

Family Star Gazing 6-8 p.m. Nov. 17. Featuring guest astronomer Joseph Mayer. Includes outdoor viewing with telescopes. Registration required. $10/family, $2.50/person.

Lions Community Center

1 W. Manor Drive, New Lenox

(815) 485-3584

www.newlenoxparks.org

Ceramic Painting Masterpiece 6:30-8 p.m., Nov. 21. Learn the basic fundamentals of ceramic painting and dry brushing. All tools and paints are included. Kids 7-13. Held at the Lincoln-Way Transportation Center. Call for more information.

Matteson Public Library

801 S. School St., Matteson

(708) 748-4431 ext. 13

www.matteson.lib.il.us

Anime Drawing 4-5:30 p.m., Nov. 7 and 28. Learn the basics along with some new twists. Kids 10 and older. Registration required.

Oak Lawn Park District

4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn

(708) 857-2200

www.olparks.com

Family Harvest Fest 4:30 p.m., Nov. 17. Evening begins with a light meal followed by stories of Native American past. Learn traditions and lifestyles as told by folktale artist Laurie Snaer. Held at Stony Creek Clubhouse, 5850 W. 103rd St. Call Pat at (708) 857-2225 for more information. Register by Nov. 9. $10, $5 kids.

P&J Kids Art Loft

230 E. 8th St., Suite 4, Lockport

(815) 501-9485

www.pandjkidsartloft.com

Art Workshop 4-6 p.m., Nov. 3 and 17. Make special crafts for the upcoming holidays. All ages. Call or visit Web site for more information. Registration required. $15.

Rialto Square Theater

102 N. Chicago St., Joliet

(815) 726-6600

www.rialtosquare.com

The Nutcracker performed by the Chicago Festival Ballet 2 p.m., Nov. 25. Check Web site for ticket information.

Sand Ridge Nature Center

15890 Paxton Ave., South Holland

(708) 868-0606

www.fpdcc.com

Settlers Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 18. Visit with costumed living history demonstrators, take a history hike, play pioneer games and more. Free, but donations of nonperishable food or money accepted.

Thorn Creek
Nature Center

247 Monee Road, Park Forest

(708) 747-6320

www.villageofparkforest.com

Harvest Moon Pie in the Sky Hike 7-10 p.m., Nov. 16. Hike by moonlight and then return to the nature center for a slice of pie. No flashlights. All ages. $10. Cornucopia Magic 1-3 p.m., Nov. 18. Families can make a cornucopia. All ages. $10.

Tinley Park Park District

Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center

8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park

(708) 342-4200

www.tinleyparkdistrict.org

Turkey Shoot 7-9 p.m., Nov. 16. Kids and adults form teams of two to shoot free throws. All ages. Free.

Village of Orland Park

Centennial Park

15600 West (100th) Ave., Orland Park

(708) 403-PARK or (708) 645-PLAY

www.orland-park.il.us

Winter Festival 3-6 p.m., Nov. 25. Visit with Santa, take a sleigh ride, make a craft and enjoy entertainment and refreshments. Families.

Hickory Hills Park District

8047 W. 91st Place, Hickory Hills

(708) 598-1233

www.hhparkdistrict.org

Pumpkin Fest noon-4 p.m. Oct. 13. Kids 12 and under can enjoy pony rides, a pumpkin patch, games and more. $8, $6 in advance. Call or visit Web site for more information.