It’s no secret that I’m a fan of libraries. Not only are you able to check out the latest best seller, but you can participate in engaging story times or programs, as well as provide a fun place for families to play. Now you’ll have another reason to visit the library—they sometimes have amazing museum-type exhibits that are free! Here are a couple new exhibits in the Northwest suburbs that are perfect to check out.
“Chagall for Children” at Arlington Heights Memorial Library
When: Through April 7
Where: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights
Why you will want to go:
- Perfect for kids. It’s a traveling exhibit by one of our favorite children’s museums in the area—Kohl Children’s Museum. With that said, you already know that it is totally kid-friendly. In fact, you’ll find that the stations are at the perfect height. If kids aren’t able to read the signs, they are able to listen to the information.
- Keep them busy. Learn about Chagall and art through 14 different stations with a variety of activities.
- Interactive. Each station highlights one of Chagall’s pieces of art and includes a corresponding activity to do. For instance, put together the missing magnetic pieces of the incomplete painting, “Paris Through the Window.” Recreate Chagall’s famous stained glass window, or wear a camouflage cape and find yourself in a Chagall painting through video.
- Learn about art. While kids are busy with the activities, they are able to see the differences between transparent, translucent and opaque materials. They can also learn about the different mediums (stained glass, mosaics, paint, and more) Chagall used.
- Make your own art. After learning about the artist, you can make your own Chagall-inspired artwork to take home.
Good to know:
- Sign up for a sensory-friendly exhibit hour on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2-3 p.m. or Sunday, March 3, 10-11 a.m. Registration required.
“Take Flight” at Gail Borden Library
When: Now until March 14
Where: Gail Borden Public District Main Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin
Why you will want to go:
- The exhibit was actually developed by a science museum, ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon.
- Learn about flight. Discover the principles and forces that make flight possible for airplanes, helicopters and rockets.
- Kids love seeing things “fly.” Learn the background of flight, then see it in action yourself. Visitors can make their own paper airplanes, helicopters, or rockets, then watch it fly in the wind tube, hoverport or a Bernoulli blower.
- Learn a little history. Read up on the history of flight then check out a model of one of the earliest functional plane designs by pioneers of flight, the Wright brothers.
- Say cheese! As always, the library offers a picture-taking opportunity with a green screen. You can then text or email the photo to yourself.
Good to know: On Monday, Feb. 18, make paper airplanes and rockets using exclusive pieces of the new exhibit. For older kids and adults that love history, don’t miss their program on Feb. 6 that talks about new history discovered about the Wright brothers.
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