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Happy Weekend! I hope you had a special Easter with your family and enjoyed the beautiful weather that day! As we move forward in our calendar, we are facing the final weekend of April and boy, is it jam- packed with fun activities! One of my favorite annual events listed this weekend is The Elgin History Fair. If you like hands-on activities, this is a great one to attend.
In my Top Picks for this weekend, you will find fun places to bring your kids in the following towns: Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Geneva, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, and Schaumburg. Best of all, they are all FREE or CHEAP! Please note that all of the events listed are drop-in and require no registration. And if they ask who sent you…tell them The Mommy did!
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
DISCLAIMER: Information on these events and activities is obtained through press releases, word of mouth, publications and reader submissions. Although we are careful to report accurate dates and times as they are given to us, we realize that sometimes we receive inaccurate information or events may be cancelled. We strongly encourage you to confirm the information before heading out and/or to click the link that is provided for each activity to check the details.
FRIDAY
Friday, April 25, 2014
Event: Tot Time Open Swim
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: The Centre, (Adventure Island Pool) 100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Age: Kids age 6 mos. through five years with adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an open swim time with your little ones
Cost: $3/R or $4/NR; adult accompanying child is FREE
Information: Web site or 847-531-7030
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Pound Puppies” (G, 63 mins) (*repeats on Saturday & Sunday)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: See rating
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Watch a movie with comfortable seating and the option to order food that will be brought to you before or during the movie
Cost: $2 per person; plus $1.50 per ticket if booked online (for advance seating reservations–but not necessary)
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
SATURDAY
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Children’s Day
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Elgin High School Auditorium, 1200 Maroon Dr., Elgin
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Description: An event for the entire family Enjoy clowns, stories, games and raffles!
Cost: FREE tickets required. See special note below.
Information: This information was obtained from a flyer at the Gail Borden Public Library and is not found on a web site. For more information, contact the Gail Borden Public Library at 847-742-2411.
Special Note: Get your tickets in advance at the Gail Borden Library’s KidSpace desk. There is a maximum of 6 tickets per person.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Live Frog & Reptile Exhibit
Town: Huntley, IL
Where: Huntley Area Public Library, 11000 Ruth Rd., Huntley
Age: All ages
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: See live frogs, tortoise, hedgehogs, uromastyx lizard, and snakes. Several different 30 minutes presentations with a Q & A after each.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-669-5386
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timer Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Michaels Kids Club Craft Fun
Town: Multiple store locations including: Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Geneva, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg, IL
Where: Area Michaels Stores
Age: Kids ages 3+
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (30 mins. in length starting every 1/2 hour)
Description: Create the following: “Mother’s Day Duck Tape Heart Frame”
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Pound Puppies” (G, 63 mins) (*repeats on Sunday)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: See rating
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Watch a movie with comfortable seating and the option to order food that will be brought to you before or during the movie
Cost: $2 per person; plus $1.50 per ticket if booked online (for advance seating reservations–but not necessary)
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Earth Day Festival & Farmers’ Market
Town: Carol Stream, IL
Where: Carol Stream Town Center, 910 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a variety of exhibits and activities including the following: Bug Olympics, Home Depot Kids Craft Corner, climb behind the wheel of a real tractor, meet a barred owl and red hawk from the Northern Illinois Raptor Center, see a variety of low-emission and hybrid cars on display, recycling events, farmer’s market and more!
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 630-784-6100
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Event: Earth Day Celebration
Town: Crystal Lake, IL
Where: Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake
Age: All ages
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: Live music, family concert, puppet show, guided nature hikes, games and crafts, household recycling, food vendors and more.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 815-338-6223
SUNDAY
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Event: Elgin History Fair
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, IL
Age: All ages
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an afternoon visiting the “olden days!” There are many activities to enjoy, including making butter, building a cobblestone house, washing monkey socks and more!
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-742-4248
Special Note: Event takes place rain or shine
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Event: Awesome Art Afternoons
Town: St. Charles, IL
Where: Water Street Studios, 117 W. Main St., St. Charles
Age: 3+ with adult; teens welcome
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Art activities including drawing, coloring, pasting or painting
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-761-9977
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Event: Springtime on the Farm
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Vera Meineke Nature Center at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
Age: All ages
Time: 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a 19th century working farm with a variety of activities: Plow fields, milk a cow, visit newborn animals, make crafts, blacksmithing, refreshments and more!
Cost: $4 per person; $16 per family; kids under age 3 are FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-985-2102
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timer Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Pound Puppies” (G, 63 mins)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: See rating
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Watch a movie with comfortable seating and the option to order food that will be brought to you before or during the movie
Cost: $2 per person; plus $1.50 per ticket if booked online (for advance seating reservations–but not necessary)
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
