November 17 – 22, 2011
Thursday 17
Wimpy Kid Party, grades 3-6, 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m., Joliet Public Library – Main Library, (815) 740-2662. Celebrate the release of the newest Wimpy Kid Book at the library, with games, snacks and other fun activities. Registration is required.
www.joliet.lib.il.us
Third Thursday, all ages, 5 p.m. -7 p.m., DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 637-8000. Third Thursday is a special time once a month for families of children with autism spectrum disorder, visual, and mobility impairments to come play at the Museum. Special activities last until 7 p.m., All activities are free with admission or membership. The Museum is open to the public until 8 p.m., and everyone is welcome.
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Video Game Night, grades 3-6, 5 p.m. -8 p.m., Joliet Public Library – Main Library, (815) 740-2662. Come to the library and have fun playing Wii video games with your friends! No registration required.
www.joliet.lib.il.us
Friday 18
A Christmas Carol, all ages, visit website for times, $16-$45, The Goodman Theatre, 170 north Dearborn St., Chicago, (312) 443-3800. Charles Dickens’ classic story, the exceptional actors and the miraculous stagecraft have made A Christmas Carol a beloved Chicago tradition. Every year, audiences look forward to the Bah Humbugs, the arrival of the ghosts, and the music and dancing and Scrooge’s joyful discovery of life and love. Event runs through December 31st.
www.goodmantheatre.org
Cookies and Milk Story time, ages 3-5, 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m., Panera Bread – Westfield Louis Joliet Mall, (815) 254-9129. Join us for songs and stories at Panera Bread and get a free cookie. Registration is required.
www.joliet.lib.il.us
Annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale!, all ages, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., Rich Township Senior Center, 297 Liberty Drive, Park Forest, (708) 228-5042. Join us for our Annual Holiday Bazaar ad Bake Sale! Homemade crafts and baked goods will be available for purchase. We will serve coffee and goodies throughout the day. Join us for a day of shopping, eating and friendship!
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, all ages, weather permitting, Mon–Thu noon–8, Fri noon–10, Sat 10–10, Sun 10–9; See website for holiday hours. Free admission; $10 skate rental. Millennium Park, Michigan and Washington.
millenniumpark.org. Millennium Park’s obsessively maintained patch of ice draws more than 100,000 twirlers, leapers, and side-huggers each year, but you can be among the first to hit the pristine rink when it opens for the season 11/18.
Saturday 19
Polar Express, all ages, $21 for residents and $32 for non-residents, Downers Grove Main Street train station, Downers Grove, (630) 963-1300. All aboard! Take a train ride based on the book “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. We leave from the Downers Grove Main Street train station and travel to the North Pole (Aurora train station). During the journey professional storytellers read the book while you enjoy chocolate milk and cookies.
www.dgprks.org
Chicago Toy & Game Fair, all ages, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Navy Pier, Festival Hall B, 600 East Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 595-7437. The Chicago Toy & Game Fair is the only toy and game fair open to the public. Every Fall we invite the public to join us for at least two whole days of previewing and playing the hottest product releases in the toy & game industry. They come to be dazzled and enchanted. They come to learn and explore. They come to mingle and participate in a community event. Most of all they come to have fun! Event also runs on Sunday, November 20th, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
www.chitag.com
Academy Trainees of The Joffrey Ballet, Tony Great Performances, all ages, free with admission or membership, 10:45 a.m., DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 637-8000. The Nutcracker Suite will transform DCM into a winter wonderland, complete with magical toys and exotic sweets. Excerpts from the Tchaikovsky masterpiece will accompany the performances by Trainees from the Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. This enchanted story will come to life in all its cultural richness, grace and magic. Limited Seating – see website for details.
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Madeline and the Bad Hat, grades K-2, 11 a.m., $6, Lincoln-Way Central High School, 1801 E. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, (815) 462-2307. Madeline and the Bad Hat, an original musical based upon the much-loved book, captures the blithe yet touching spirit of Ludwig Bemelmans’s Madeline series. It traces the adventures of a young Parisian girl – despite starting off on the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor – eventually learns that first impressions aren’t everything. All ages are welcome.
www.lw210.org
Bookamania, all ages, 11 a.m. -3 p.m., Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street., Chicago. Join us for this celebration of children’s books, featuring story crafts, special performances, storytelling and visits from some of your favorite storybook characters, authors and illustrators.
www.chicagopubliclibrary.org
Parent-Child Turkey Shoot, ages 3-14, $1 per person, 11 a.m. -12 p.m., Worth Park District, 11500 S. Beloit, Worth, (708) 448-7080. Worth boys and girls and a parent of their choice will compete in a basketball free throw shooting contest. Boys and girls will compete together in the following divisions: 3 & 4, 5& 6, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, and 13 & 14 year olds. The winning parent and child team in each division will receive a Thanksgiving turkey. Each additional attempt is $1. Registration is required.
www.worthparkdistrict.org
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Whether you find it a festive excuse to start your shopping early or a reason to stay home and avoid the traffic, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival winds its way down Michigan Avenue today beginning at 5:30.
Sunday 20
Annual Holiday Exhibit of Natural History Art, all ages, free with Arboretum admission, 12 p.m. -5 p.m., Thornhill Education Center, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, (630) 719-2468. Enjoy natural history art from the Nature Artists’ Guild of The Morton Arboretum with the “Annual Holiday Exhibit of Natural History Art.” See the vibrancy of pastels, the delicacy of pen and ink, and the fluid beauty of watercolors. Artist will demonstrate a variety of techniques throughout the exhibit.
www.mortonarb.org
The Floating Princess, all ages, $5, 2 p.m., James Lumber Center For Performing Arts, C-wing Auditorium, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, (847) 543-2300. This fresh and funny fairy tale spoof offers a princess you’ve never met before. Princess Tulip is cursed by her wicked aunt to be light of heart, mind and body, sentenced to float through life until she cries her first sorrowful tear. You’ll meet lots of new characters in this zany musical through fairy tale land as well as old favorites like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more.
www.jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Kicks off 65th Anniversary Season, all ages, $20-$40, Chicago Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, 7:30 p.m.; Under the baton of Music Director Allen Tinkham, the orchestra will perform works by Strauss, Prokofiev, Barber and Scriabin.. Boxes are also available. For more information, visit
www.cyso.org or call (312) 939-2207 x31.
Monday 21
Thanksgiving Cake Centerpiece, all ages, $14 per child for members and $16 per child for non-members, 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m., Buehler YMCA, 1400 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, (847) 359-2400. This is a parent/child activity that’s fun and practical. Kathy Colombo of Party Cakes. Party Cakes will be here to show you how to use better cream frosting, pastry bags, fondant and edible embellishments. You will be making your own edible Fall Wreath. Save it for your Thanksgiving table or devour it beforehand. Fee is for 1 cake and all supplies per child, mom or dad is there to help. If there are 2 children, you will pay for and decorate 2 cakes. Please register with child’s name. Minimum of 12 to run class. Must register by November 16th.
www.ymcachicago.org
Happy birthday, Mickey! All ages; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; The Frankfort Park District is inviting you to come out and celebrate with games, crafts, pizza and (of course) cake, Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St., Frankfort. Register by Thursday, Nov. 17,
http://www.frankfortparks.org/special-events.aspx
Tuesday 22
Tots on Tuesdays, ages 2-5, included with regular admission, John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, (312) 939-2438. Tots on Tuesdays features special programs each week for Shedd’s youngest visitors. From exploring Camp Shedd to dressing up like a penguin in Polar Play Zone, join the fun and learn something new! Tots on Tuesdays is generously supported by the Ford Motor Company Fund.
www.sheddaquarium.org
Lil’ Pilgrim Party, ages 1-5, 10 a.m. -11 a.m., The Niles Family Fitness Center, 987 Civic Center Dr., Niles, (847) 588-8400. Parents and children are invited to join us for a special Thanksgiving celebration with crafts, games, stories and more! Registration is required.
www.vniles.com
Insect Zoo, all ages, free with admission or membership, 10 a.m. -12 p.m., DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 637-8000. Ever wanted to get nose to nose with a Praying Mantis? Pet a Giant Pumpkin Millipede as long as our hand? See how far a Giant Lubber Grasshopper can jump? The experts from Anderson Pest Solutions will introduce children to nature’s Good Guy Bugs, such as Hercules Beetles, Giant Lubber Grasshoppers, Giant Pumpkin Millipedes and more. Find out how, as natures recyclers, these insects contribute to our environment.
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
For more fun, family events visit Family Time Magazine's calendar for November at www.familytimemagazine.com/calendar.html
Friday Night Lights, 
