October 23, 2008
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Kate Pancero
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tiptoe through the cemetery to reach the front doors of the haunted mansion and beware of ghouls and spirits. Then travel into the underworld and through a ghost pirate ship where something has arisen from Davey Jones’ locker. Explore more of the village’s historical buildings and check out what’s brewing in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab or find your fortune in the gypsy village.
Take a break from all the spooky exploring and listen to local ghost stories around the campfire or meet creepy creatures from Cosley Zoo, including hissing cockroaches, snakes, lizards and tarantulas. The village is filled with plenty of haunting good fun, so check the Web site for a full list of activities.
This event isn’t recommended for kids under 8 due to its scare factor. Naper Settlement, located at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, is open from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $9, $8 in advance—tickets are available at select Naperville retailers. For more information, call (630) 305-5555 (event hotline) or visit the Web site, napersettlement.museum.
Travel through the coal mine 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the hour for a haunting experience your kids won’t soon forget. For the smaller ones in your family, the Idea Factory has become a funhouse filled with Halloween-themed and science-based crafts.
For a more hands-on approach to spook and gore, dissect a cow eye in the Education Lab for an insightful encounter. If dissection is too scary for your family, learn how to make green slime or take on a smashing science lesson as you drop a pumpkin from the balcony. For a full list of activities, as well as times, visit the Web site.
Start trick-or-treating early when you check out the Home for All Seasons Fall Harvest Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Come dressed in costume for trick-or-treating at the Smart Home; kids who dress up in costumes made from recycled materials can compete for the title of ‘most innovative costume.’ After finding a few treats, go green with the cast of “Wicked” as they paint kids’ faces a wicked shade of green from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. If you were hoping for actual ideas for going green in your home, presentations from master gardeners and furniture designers will help. You can grab ideas from pumpkin carvers on how you can whittle your own big orange gourd into a wonderful jack-o’-lantern. Entrance into the Smart Home is free with general admission for Saturday’s festival.
The Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, is open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $13, $9 kids 3-11 and $12 seniors. An extra special “treat” that requires no tricks, admission to the museum on Halloween (Oct. 31) is free. For more information and a full schedule of events, call (773) 684-1414 or visit msichicago.org.
Enjoy a hayride while helping those less fortunate by donating a canned food item or cash donation for your ride—all proceeds go to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. Bring your own pumpkin or buy one while they last to race in the pumpkin roll on Houston Street hill at Route 31 at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and admission into the contest is $1 per roll.
Trick-or-treat in more than 50 downtown Batavia businesses—look for the “Trick-or-Treat here” posters in the windows—from 10 a.m.-noon. While you travel between the businesses, keep your eyes peeled for parts of Wanda the Witch, such as her broom and hat, for a chance to win the scavenger hunt. To participate, pick up punch cards from the Chamber of Commerce, 106 W. Wilson St., from 9 a.m.-noon. While there, have your kids’ picture taken and receive a free 4x6 photo.
BatFest is held at the Batavia Riverwalk, 327 W. Wilson St., Batavia. Admission is free, but some activities cost extra. For more information, call (630) 879-5235 or visit downtownbatavia.com.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Get out there and play
Tiptoe through the cemetery to reach the front doors of the haunted mansion and beware of ghouls and spirits. Then travel into the underworld and through a ghost pirate ship where something has arisen from Davey Jones’ locker. Explore more of the village’s historical buildings and check out what’s brewing in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab or find your fortune in the gypsy village.
Take a break from all the spooky exploring and listen to local ghost stories around the campfire or meet creepy creatures from Cosley Zoo, including hissing cockroaches, snakes, lizards and tarantulas. The village is filled with plenty of haunting good fun, so check the Web site for a full list of activities.
This event isn’t recommended for kids under 8 due to its scare factor. Naper Settlement, located at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, is open from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $9, $8 in advance—tickets are available at select Naperville retailers. For more information, call (630) 305-5555 (event hotline) or visit the Web site, napersettlement.museum.
Get your tickets here
Get out there and play some more
Travel through the coal mine 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the hour for a haunting experience your kids won’t soon forget. For the smaller ones in your family, the Idea Factory has become a funhouse filled with Halloween-themed and science-based crafts.
For a more hands-on approach to spook and gore, dissect a cow eye in the Education Lab for an insightful encounter. If dissection is too scary for your family, learn how to make green slime or take on a smashing science lesson as you drop a pumpkin from the balcony. For a full list of activities, as well as times, visit the Web site.
Start trick-or-treating early when you check out the Home for All Seasons Fall Harvest Festival from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Come dressed in costume for trick-or-treating at the Smart Home; kids who dress up in costumes made from recycled materials can compete for the title of ‘most innovative costume.’ After finding a few treats, go green with the cast of “Wicked” as they paint kids’ faces a wicked shade of green from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. If you were hoping for actual ideas for going green in your home, presentations from master gardeners and furniture designers will help. You can grab ideas from pumpkin carvers on how you can whittle your own big orange gourd into a wonderful jack-o’-lantern. Entrance into the Smart Home is free with general admission for Saturday’s festival.
The Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, is open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. General admission is $13, $9 kids 3-11 and $12 seniors. An extra special “treat” that requires no tricks, admission to the museum on Halloween (Oct. 31) is free. For more information and a full schedule of events, call (773) 684-1414 or visit msichicago.org.
Outside fun
Enjoy a hayride while helping those less fortunate by donating a canned food item or cash donation for your ride—all proceeds go to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. Bring your own pumpkin or buy one while they last to race in the pumpkin roll on Houston Street hill at Route 31 at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and admission into the contest is $1 per roll.
Trick-or-treat in more than 50 downtown Batavia businesses—look for the “Trick-or-Treat here” posters in the windows—from 10 a.m.-noon. While you travel between the businesses, keep your eyes peeled for parts of Wanda the Witch, such as her broom and hat, for a chance to win the scavenger hunt. To participate, pick up punch cards from the Chamber of Commerce, 106 W. Wilson St., from 9 a.m.-noon. While there, have your kids’ picture taken and receive a free 4x6 photo.
BatFest is held at the Batavia Riverwalk, 327 W. Wilson St., Batavia. Admission is free, but some activities cost extra. For more information, call (630) 879-5235 or visit downtownbatavia.com.
Piece of the prize
This article appeared in the
2008 October
edition of Chicago Parent.
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