South suburban resource guide Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library
11960 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip
(708) 371-5666
Samantha’s Amazing Acro-Cats. 11 a.m. June 30. Watch as these cats ride skateboards, roll barrels and more. Families. Registration required. $1, free residents.
Bird Haven Greenhouse
225 N. Gougar Road, Joliet
(815) 741-7278, ext. 106
Finding Nemo. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 20. Join in the search for Nemo. Lunch included. Kids 3-10. Registration required. $10.
Bolingbrook Park District
200 S. Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook
(630) 739-1700
Wednesday Night Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. June 13, 20 and 27. Performing Arts Theater, 375 W. Briarcliff Road. Free. Pelican Harbor’s Big Squirt Blast Challenge 3-6 p.m. June 23. Bring your own squirt gun. Call (630) 739-1705 for details.
The Children's Farm at The Center
12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park
(708) 361-3650
Frontier Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 2. Horse rides, hayrides, live music, crafts, a root beer “saloon” and more. $3, $1.50 kids.
The Children's Museum of Oak Lawn
9600 E. Shore Drive, Oak Lawn
(708) 423-6709
4th Annual Birthday Bash. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 9. A day of games, crafts, music, food and fun for the entire family. Free admission to museum, but small fee for other events. Check Web site for updates and for regular museum hours and admission. Kids 2-10 (recommended).
Downtown Joliet
(877) 4-JOLIET
Kicks on Route 66. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 2. Enjoy a sock hop, ice cream bar and root beer floats. Featuring classic cars, contests, music and more. Check Web site for details.
Fossil Ridge Public Library District
386 W. Kennedy Road, Braidwood
(815) 458-2187
Space Pirates. 10:30 a.m. June 2. Kids 3-10 can enjoy the adventures of “Captain Book& Two Eyed Pete’s.” Father’s Day Stamp Craft Day. 10-11 a.m. June 14. Kids 3-14. Registration required. Kids 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult for all programs.
Homewood Flossmoor Park District
3301 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor
(708) 957-0300
Pee Wee Jammie Jam. 6-8 p.m. June 8. Kids 4-6 can enjoy pizza, stories, games, crafts and a movie. Held at the Irwin Center. Registration required. $16.50, $11 residents. Crafts& Snacks. 10 a.m. June 23 and 30. Kids 3-5 make an art project and enjoy a snack. Held at the Irwin Center. Registration required. $10.50, $7 residents.
Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
2453 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields
(708) 481-2330
National Trails Day Hike. 7:30 p.m. June 1. Enjoy a nature walk and help clean up the area. Families. $4.50, $3 residents.
Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 N. Ottawa, Joliet
(815) 723-5201
Flag Mania Day. 2-3:30 p.m. June 14. Play games, do crafts and learn more about the flag. Registration required. $9, $5 members. Father’s Day at the Museum. Noon-5 p.m. June 17. Free admission for dads on this special day.
Joliet Park District
Nowell Park
5 Mills Road, Joliet
(815) 741-PARK (7275)
Picnic at Nowell Park 11 a.m.-2 p.m. June 23. Bring a picnic lunch and participate in a variety of activities. Registration required. $5 per family.
Joliet Park District
Joliet Memorial Stadium
3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
(815) 741-PARK (7275)
Taste of Joliet. June 29-July 1. Family activities, inflatables, entertainment and food. Check Web site for details.
Joliet Public Library
150 N. Ottawa, Joliet
(815) 740-2660
Story Time at the Mall. 10 a.m. June 1. Meet at the play area outside Sears at Westfield Mall. Kids in preschool (recommended). Summer Craft Club at the library. 2 p.m. June 21. Kids 9-14.
Joliet Public Library
Black Road Branch
3395 Black Road, Joliet
(815) 740-2660
Big Run Wolf Ranch. 1 and 3 p.m. June 12. See wolf pups, a wolf, a skunk and a raccoon during this educational program. No registration required, but seating is limited. Summer Craft Club. 1 p.m. June 13. Kids 9-14.
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights
(708) 361-1873
Lake Katherine Nature Corps. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 11-15. Each day kids will engage in a variety of activities focusing on a particular area of the preserve. Kids 11-15. Registration required. $75. Kamp Habitat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 25-29. Kids 7-10 can learn about the natural world through games, crafts and daily explorations. Registration required. $75.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Reptile Ramble. 1:30 p.m. June 2. Search for reptiles on the trail. Families. Tadpoles. 1:30-3:30 p.m. June 17. Featuring arts and crafts activities. Families.
Monee Reservoir
27341 Ridgeland Ave., Monee
(708) 534-8499
Midnight Madness. June 1. The preserve will remain open until midnight for fishing. Blue Moon Paddle. 8 p.m. June 30. Launch into the reservoir as the sun sets. Kids 10 and up. Registration required. $7. Call or check Web site for details.
Parent and Child Education and Support Organization
P.O. Box 13, Lombard
(630) 835-4111
PACES offers support for parents of kids newborn-5 through play groups, parenting seminars, workshops, babysitting co-ops and social outings. $32 annual membership. The south suburban branch meets at the Life Church, 6600 W. 127th St., Palos Heights. Childcare is provided. Annual PACES Picnic. 11 a.m. June 19 at Brookfield Zoo. Check Web site for details.
Pilcher Park Nature Center
2501 Highland Park Drive, Joliet
(815) 741-7277
Bat Detectives. 8-9:30 p.m. June 21. Investigate the myths and facts about bats. Enjoy a campfire marshmallow roast and night hike. Registration required. $5.
Plainfield Park District
Renwick Community Park
Renwick Road just west of Route 59
(815) 436-8812
www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com
Fishing Derby. 8:30-10:30 a.m. June 2. Kids 3-13. Kids 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring bait and bucket for your fish. Held at 23729 W. Ottawa St. Registration required. $12, $8 residents. Movies in the Park. 8 p.m. June 8 featuring “Curious George” and June 22 featuring “Scooby-Doo. Shown at Settlers Park, 24000 W. Lockport St. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free.
Plum Creek Nature Center
Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve
27064 S. Dutton Road, Beecher
(708) 946-2216
Buzzin’ Busy Bees. 6:30 p.m. June 15. Learn all about honey bees. Families. Registration required. Free.
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15890 Paxton Ave., South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Wee Wonders-Look and Listen. 1:30 p.m. June 14. A special hike just for preschoolers. Nature Tales-Polliwogs and Frogs. 1:30 p.m. June 23. Learn about these amphibians through a story and a craft. Kids 5-10.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
247 Monee Road, Park Forest
(708) 747-6320
Historic Farm Walk. 1-3 p.m. June 3. Tour the farm buildings, wander through the old-fashioned gardens and gather eggs. Families. $3. Thorn Creek Folk Fest. 2-5 p.m. June 23. Enjoy a variety of musicians. Advance tickets required. $8.
Tinley Park Park District
Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center
8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
(708) 342-4200
Do it for Dad. 4-5 p.m. June 8. Make a special gift for dad. Kids 5-10. $14, $9 residents. Del Melton Fishing Derby. 9-11 a.m. June 16. Held at Centennial Park. Families. $11 per family, $7 kids. Movie in the Park at dusk. June 27. Watch “Robots” at the band shell. Families. Free.
Village of Orland Park
Orland Park Cultural Center
14700 Park Lane, Orland Park
(708) 403-PARK or (708) 645-PLAY
Movie at the Center. 8:45 p.m. June 21 featuring “Over the Hedge” and June 28 featuring “Kicking and Screaming.” Families. Free.
