Events Calendar

Celebrate National Puzzle Day with the Friends of the Bartlett Library at the Jigsaw Puzzle Sale on Sunday, 1/28 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Lots of fabulous jigsaw puzzles for sale, $3 each or 2 for $5. All proceeds benefit library programs.

Have you ever thought, “I would love to share my passion for history” or “I would love to challenge my acting skills” or “I want to dress up?” Then living history volunteering might be for you! This program will consist of an overview of historical interpretation followed by a question-and-answer session with an interpretive naturalist....

Are you starting to think about preschool programs or child care for your little one? Discover what's out there and meet centers and family child care programs in Oak Park, River Forest, and neighboring communities. They will be available to talk to parents and caregivers about their program and answer questions they might have. Children...

Any time during the day stop by to work giant floor puzzles, play I Spy in our display case or just relax with some paper/pencil puzzles. Something for everyone.

Learn American Sign Language! Our mission is to come together as a community to learn American Sign Language (ASL) to bring awareness and communicate to individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and/or Non-Verbal. Play games and have fun while you learn the ASL alphabet and simple words and phrases!

Let's hang out and admire incredible animals together! We'll learn, share our knowledge and excitement, plus do an experiment or craft. Walk-ins are welcome if there is space to accommodate. For grades 1-5. If your child is age 9 or younger, please plan to remain at the library for the duration of the program. Caregivers...

Geared for children and their caregivers Let's read, sing, and play in Spanish and English!

Let's explore our senses of smell, touch, taste, hearing, and sight through reading and hands-on learning. For ages 3-6 with caregiver. Pick up tickets at Kids' World desk. Tickets given on a first-come, first-served basis.

School's out early today! Let your favorite Beyblade rip in this friendly competition for a chance to win a Beyblade. Each participant may enter only one Beyblade in the contest. Registrants will receive additional guidelines via email. Grades K-6. Sign up begins 1/16.

Parents and caregivers can learn about prospective preschools, daycares and home daycares in the area. Representatives from each preschool and daycare will be on hand to answer your questions and share information about their services.

Introduce your little one to a new language as we enjoy songs, stories, and a craft presented by teachers from The Language Labs. This story time will feature a Chinese New Year Celebration!   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Ways for Families to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

In this story session, we will enjoy stories, music, and also some play time! Ages 0-5. En esta sesion de cuentos estaremos disfrutando de cuentos, musica, y ademas de un tiempo de juego! Ages 0-5 / Edades 0-5.

Geared for ages 0-5 with caregiver. Let's read and make music together! No registration required.

Experience the joys of song and dance in this interactive, sing-along story time. Drop in. Story Room.

Do you like dolls, history, and American Girl? Then join our first ever American Girl Doll Book Club here at the library! For January the book, Meet Samantha, has been selected. Please read the first book, come to the discussion and enjoy a snack, beverage and make a craft from Samantha Parkington’s time period -...

The Lunar New Year season lasts from February 9th to February 24, 2024. It is a holiday observed by 20% of the world’s population, yet many are unfamiliar with how it is celebrated. Educator Yvonne Wolf will tell us about the Chinese calendar in relation to the Chinese New Year, meaning behind decorations, and how...

Come meet our amazing Early Childhood teachers, tour the classroom and see what the Trail Blazers Program is all about. Priority registration will take place at Open House for 2024-2025 school year.

The Mr. Freeze Demonstration shows the interesting and fun properties of cryogenics using Liquid Nitrogen (LN2). It is an exciting science based demonstration with lots of surprises and a few explosions. Lots of different properties and effects of the extreme cold are demonstrated and explained. Make learning science fun for everyone and encouraging kids to...

Drop in to our little 'neighborhood of make believe' for an hour of imaginative freeplay! From cardboard boxes to play food, we'll put out some basics to inspire pretend play. The rest is up to you.

Geared for ages 0-5 with caregiver. Let's read and make music together! No registration required.

Looking for free homework help for your student? Drop in for tutoring sessions with volunteers from The Merry Tutor! Grades K - 12. The Merry Tutor is a volunteer organization providing free tutoring and homework help for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. High school volunteer tutors will assist students with core subject areas, including...

Origami is a leisure activity that develops hand-eye coordination, sequencing skills, mathematical reasoning, memory, and patience. In February, we will create origami hearts. Ages 6-11.

Here’s your chance to preview our state-licensed preschools. Our preschool staff members will be available to answer questions about the programs. Children are welcome to come along and explore the classroom. Preschool Preview will be held at all preschool sites: Birchwood • 435 W. Illinois Avenue Eagle Park • 1425 N. Oak Street Maple Park...

In honor of Black History Month, join us for a storytime featuring books by black authors and illustrators.

Drop-in between 10-11 a.m. to celebrate Groundhog Day by making a groundhog craft!

Here is a chance for preschoolers and their grown-ups to play and learn together. Different early childhood learning skills will be covered each month. This month is social and emotion learning – Don’t Worry. Be Happy! Let’s learn about emotions, self-control, making friends, social skills, and attention and learning. You will have fun meeting other...

Free admission on the First Friday of each month during A Love Supreme (Jan. 20 - April 28) thanks to our exhibition sponsors and museum patrons.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

Got a chatty child? Drop in for some fun activities designed to help your preschooler practice their social-emotional skills, gross motor skills, along with language and conversational skills. Ages 3-5 years old with a caregiver. No registration required.

Join us as Desueño Dance teaches us beginner steps to popular Latin Dances! Bring your dancing shoes, comfy clothes, and a water bottle! If you're looking for a fun and healthy addition to your routine, join Desueño Dance to learn beginner steps for popular dances like Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue. Explore the diverse origins of...

First Fridays is a night of art, fun, music, dance, and community at local businesses and venues in downtown Aurora on the first Friday evening of the month. First Fridays in Downtown Aurora invites the community to enjoy art, music, food, theater, and more on the first Friday of the month. First Friday venues have...

Join in the fun this year! The Annual Ice Fest Downtown Downers Grove will be held February 2-4, 2024. The Ice Festival will be a weekend of outdoor fun! Don’t miss the return of the Friday Night ice carving demonstration on Friday evening, 5:30-7:30pm at the corner of Main and Curtiss. Enjoy live ice carving...

Love is in the air! Enjoy classic & timeless long songs from the 20s - 60s performed by vocalist Petra van Nuis, make a love bug craft, try a Valentine treat, register to vote, and more!

The children's sale features kids and teen fiction, nonfiction books, EZ readers, board books, DVD movies, audiobooks and music CDs for children. Most Children’s books are 50 cents, and most Children’s AV materials are $1, or as priced. Scanning is not permitted. On Sunday there is an $8 bag sale (no teacher discount). There is...

What Is Macaroni Soup!? Music and Movement activities kids can sing, dance and do! Education for Parents, Care-Givers, Teachers and Professionals who work with children Classes, Concerts, Workshops, In-Services, Family Nights, Musical Theater camp, Birthday parties, Festivals... and more!

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Illinois Reading Council will host the Illinois Reads Book Festival from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Westmont High School, 909 Oakwood Drive, Westmont, Illinois. Plan now to bring your families, students, and all book lovers to this fun and free event. Many authors will be present. Bring your...

Join the Oswego Downtown Association in downtown Oswego. 

Welcome to our Preschool! We believe that children learn best through play. Our experienced staff guides children through weekly emergent topics, providing rich, process-based activities for them to explore. Our smaller classroom sizes and positive school culture inspires children to build a confident, compassionate and curious spirit. Children practice their early literacy skills using the...

Let's celebrate the Year of the Dragon! Hosted by District 204 students, activities will include lantern-making, calligraphy, chopsticks racing, a documentary, and more. Ages 6+. Please come and enjoy the Chinese New Year Celebration activities hosted by IPSD District 204 high schools' Chinese Honor Societies. Caregivers will also enjoy a documentary film titled About Dear...

Ice-A-Palooza is a free outdoor event featuring skating, entertainment, food truck, character visits and more!

Join in the fun this year! The Annual Ice Fest Downtown Downers Grove will be held February 2-4, 2024. The Ice Festival will be a weekend of outdoor fun! Don’t miss the return of the Friday Night ice carving demonstration on Friday evening, 5:30-7:30pm at the corner of Main and Curtiss. Enjoy live ice carving...

Enjoy old fashioned fun in the snow with outdoor games, music, and a warm fire pit on the patio. Inside the Nature Center, make a winter-themed nature craft! All ages welcome! Admission is FREE. No registration required.

Winterfest is still happening! We’re moving the fun INDOORS! Bring the whole family for some good old-fashioned family fun! The fun includes: Spin art Snowball slingshot Iceless curling Family obstacle course Giant games Archery Family photo station Hockey slap shot Family crafts Parent/Tot gymnastics Ninja obstacle course Snowball fights Fountaindale Public Library sponsored activities including...

Gather a team and sign up for our Great Puzzle Race! Teams of up to 5 people are invited to register and complete at 500 piece puzzle. The fastest team receives a prize! RULES TO REGSITER: We will have room for up to 10 teams, up to 5 people each. When registering, register your Team...

Explore the Preserves via snowshoe! If conditions are not favorable for snowshoeing (4” or more of packed snow), hikes and other activities will be offered. 

Take part in the only competitive ice-fishing tournament in DuPage, and then stick around for door prizes and awards. Bring your own equipment and bait. All ages; under 18 with an adult. $20 per person in advance; $25 at the event. Register online or at 630-933-7248.

Valentines of the Victorian era were treasured keepsakes, incorporating feathers, beads, and bits of fabric. Create your own Victorian-style valentines in a fun, afternoon workshop. Free event, suggested donation of $3/participant.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Making Valentine’s Special for Kids: Kits to Go, Daddy-Daughter Dances, and...

Bring your whole family to a karaoke afternoon! Complete fun activities as you wait to sing in Spanish or English. Fancy dress and costumes are encouraged! (Babies–Grade 5 with an adult)

Join Early Childhood Educator Sara Consdorf and GHS students at hands-on learning stations for those looking to build their childcare skills.

Don’t let cabin fever give your family the winter blues. Enjoy a FREE afternoon of frozen winter fun! Be sure to bundle up because this indoor/outdoor event is full of hot chocolate, games, crafts, winter demonstrations like dog sledding and ice carving, visits from special guests and more!

Enjoy a fun-filled time of music and dancing for the entire family. Hosted by Plank Road Folk Music Society and Two-Way Street Coffee House. The Plank Road String Band will provide lively music and a caller will walk you through all the dances. No Experience Necessary! Come by for some good ol' fun! Admission is...