August 2017
Blodgett 100 Years of Family History Opening Reception
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Victorian Blodgett House, this NEW exhibit explores the history of the Blodgett family and their significant impact on the founding, and growth, of Downers Grove. Exhibition & Opening Reception Enjoy refreshments and meet with Museum staff who curated the exhibit.
Find out more »October 2017
Josefinas Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead with American Girl Josefina! Learn about the history loving traditions behind this holiday that honors family members who have passed away. Ages: 6-12
Find out more »May 2018
Postcards for Veterans
Honor Armed Forces Day by writing postcards for US Veterans and deployed US service members while learning about the history of postcards and travel. Use one of our Downers grove themed templates or create your own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All ages
Find out more »December 2018
Merry and Bright A Victorian Christmas
Join us for a celebration of the season at this free family event! Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, tour the holiday-decorated Victorian Blodgett house and listen to Victorian-era carolers. Stroll the park while warming up around a campfire and visit with Santa! Holiday snacks, hot cocoa, beer and wine will be available for sale to enhance the holiday cheer.
Find out more »October 2019
Josefina’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with American Girl Josephina! Learn about the celebration’s traditions, create a related craft, and enjoy a snack.
Find out more »Blodgett House Boo Fest
All ages Trick-or-treat at the Downers Grove Museum! Visit the Victorian Blodgett House decorated for Halloween and complete a themed scavenger hunt for a treat!
Find out more »November 2019
Addy and the Underground Railroad
Learn about American Girl Addy’s Civil War era and the importance of the Underground Railroad. Discover Addy’s favorite games and crafts while enjoying a snack.
Find out more »December 2019
Merry and Bright A Victorian Christmas
Join us for a celebration of the season at this free family event! Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, tour the holiday-decorated Victorian Blodgett House and listen to Victorian-era carolers. Stroll the park while warming up a around a campfire and visit with Santa! Holiday snacks and hot cocoa will be available for purchase to enhance the holiday cheer! New this year! Tree Decorating Contest Free to enter! Resident groups and local businesses are invited to decorate a holiday tree to…
Find out more »February 2020
Hands on History
Get your hands on history! This programs aims to move past the normal “Don’t Touch” rule and allows children the chance to explore history with fun crafts and by getting their hands on real artifacts. A parent or guardian must accompany their child/children. Fee is per child.
Find out more »March 2020
Hands on History – CANCELED
Get your hands on history! This programs aims to move past the normal “Don’t Touch” rule and allows children the chance to explore history with fun crafts and by getting their hands on real artifacts. A parent or guardian must accompany their child/children. Fee is per child.
Find out more »August 2020
Vintage Baseball Exhibition
Join the Downers Grove Museum for a fun Saturday morning dedicated to learning about the history of baseball, the Downers Grove Plowboys, and participate in a friendly scrimmage inspired by vintage rules of the game. Participants are sure to have a “ball” during this active program!
Find out more »June 2021
July 2021
September 2021
American Girl Doll Fall Fest
Bring your American Girl doll or any other similar sized doll to design adorable outfits and play fun games to celebrate the fall. We'll take a look at how the beginning of fall was celebrated in the past, and participate in fun activities relating to its beginnings. Registration is required.
Find out more »Museum Play Dates
Take a step away from the classroom and join us at the museum for fun afternoon adventures at the Downers Grove Museum. We'll discover new topics each month and participate in fun games and activities relating to Downers Grove's past. Registration is required.
Find out more »Planes, Trains and Automobiles – CANCELED
Bring your young engineer to learn all about the history of planes, trains, and automobiles in Downers Grove, including D.G.'s first firetruck! Then work together to build your own transportation models. All participants must register and registered children should be accompanied by one registered adult. Multiple children can attend with one registered adult.
Find out more »October 2021
Halloween House Tour
Come see the house decorated for Halloween, take a tour, and learn about what would have been done to celebrate the holiday when people lived in the Victorian Blodgett House, from the 1890s to the last family in the 1960s. All children must register and be accompanied by a registered adult. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Halloween Events.
Find out more »November 2021
American Girl Doll Thanksgiving Party
Thanksgiving brings us together to celebrate with our friends and families, so bring along an American Girl and come celebrate Thanksgiving with us here at the Downers Grove Museum. We'll play fun holiday games and make a fun thanksgiving craft celebrating our historic Thanksgiving traditions.
Find out more »December 2021
Merry and Bright: A Victorian Christmas
Get in the holiday spirit here at the Downers Grove Museum! We invite you and your whole family to learn about Victorian Christmas Traditions, tour the holiday decorated Victorian Blodgett House, and visit with Santa. Stoll the park on a luminary walk, view holiday trees decorated by the community and warm up around a campfire as you listen to Victorian-era carolers. All attendees must register, however those under the age of 2 on the day of the event are free.
Find out more »Samantha’s Victorian Christmas
Make crafts and play games related to American Girl Samantha’s story to learn what Christmas was like in the Victorian period. Step back in time and see Victorian Christmas holiday decorations and traditions by exploring the Victorian Blodgett house.
Find out more »February 2022
American Girl Doll Valentine Party
Dress-up and bring your favorite American Girl Doll to the Museum for a special Valentine's Day themed party. Enjoy scrumptious treats, share stories about your doll, and complete a fun craft for your doll.
Find out more »Tour the 1846 Blodgett House
Take a tour of the newly restored 1846 Blodgett house. We will explore the lives of Israel and Avis Blodgett, and their role on the Underground Railroad. Please register everyone attending. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »April 2022
American Girl Doll Fashion Show
Learn about American Girl fashion through history by joining us with your dolls for an American Girl Fashion Show! Showcase your doll's favorite outfits, while they walk an American Girl Doll Runway and try your hand at your own fashion designing for your doll.
Find out more »June 2022
Ragdoll Quality Time
Come to the Downers Grove Museum for some quality family time. Participate in a time honored craft that has brought children and parents together for hundreds of years. Learn to make ragdolls at our special crafting event and learn a skill that will stick with you and your child till they have children of their own. This is a family program, however all participants must be registered, and all children must be registered with a registered adult.
Find out more »July 2022
American Girl Mid-Summer Festival
Celebrate summer the Swedish way! Learn about the Sweditsh mid-summer festival through the story of American Girl Kirsten. Play games and participate in fun activities traditionally enjoyed during this celebration!
Find out more »August 2022
Mini Cabin Time
A hands on use of their own creativity is something children never shy away from; in this activity they will be able to customize their very own model cabin, all the while learning about the frontier lifestyle of the Downers Grove community.
Find out more »September 2022
American Girl Doll Fall Fest
Bring your American Girl doll or any other similar sized doll to design adorable outfits and play fun games to celebrate the fall. We'll take a look at how the beginning of fall was celebrated in the past, and participate in fun activities relating to its beginnings.
Find out more »October 2022
American Girl Doll Halloween Party
Celebrate Halloween with your American Girl Doll at the Downers Grove Museum! Learn about the celebration’s traditions, and create a Halloween related craft. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Halloween Events.
Find out more »Museum Play Day
REGISTER IN ADVANCE Spend your day off at the Downers Grove Museum for a full morning of adventures at the Downers Grove Museum. We'll make new discoveries and participate in fun games and activities relating to Downers Grove's past.
Find out more »Main Street Cemetery Flashlight Tour
See the Main Street Cemetery in a spookier light! With a flashlight in hand, learn about the happy and tragic lives of the Downers Grove residents who are buried there and some local ghost stories. This program meets at the cemetery. Please dress for the weather. Children under 16 must register and be accompanied by a registered adult. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Local Hayrides, Forest Walks, and Haunted Houses.
Find out more »Blodgett House Boo Fest
Trick-or-treat at the Downers Grove Museum! Visit the Victorian Blodgett House decorated for Halloween and complete a holiday-themed scavenger hunt and play some spooky-themed Halloween games. For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Halloween Events.
Find out more »December 2022
Merry and Bright A Victorian Christmas
Get in the holiday spirit here at the Downers Grove Museum! We invite you and your whole family to learn about Victorian Christmas traditions, tour the holiday decorated Victorian Blodgett House and visit with Santa. Stroll the park on a luminary walk, view holiday trees decorated by the community and warm up around a campfire as you list to Victorian-era carolers.
Find out more »February 2023
Valentine’s Day Tissue Paper Wreaths
Create a Victorian–themed valentine wreath for someone special! Visit the museum to view Victorian Valentine's Day gifts and learn more about the history of Valentine's Day. Activities will take approximately one hour of your time! Stop by anytime between 12:30pm and 3:30pm to get started. Price is per child. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »March 2023
Tree to Table: Maple Syrup
Come to the Downers Grove Museum to discover how maple syrup gets made! Learn how one of nature's tastiest treats goes from a tree to your kitchen table. From tree biology and identification, to the rich regional history behind early syrup production, join us for a sweet journey into all things maple! Program will be held indoors and outdoors, so please dress for the weather. All participants must register and all registered children under 16 must be accompanied by a…
Find out more »We do our best to provide comprehensive, accurate and useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from press releases, websites, signs around town and word of mouth. However, details change and people make mistakes, so please confirm the details before you go. Kidlist is not responsible for any problems that occur while participating in activities listed on this site.
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