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Health & Fitness

Top Picks For Kids: Feb. 28- Mar. 2, 2014

Find me on www.mommybytheriver.com and Facebook!

Happy Weekend! I’m so excited March is arriving because it is the first sign that winter will be leaving us soon and also–Mommy By The River is grateful to announce a First Anniversary in March! It was one year ago that I launched this blog. It has been a journey of learning the ”blog world,” but it also has been a lot of fun (as well as a lot of work–but gratifying work!)

To celebrate my First Anniversary, I’m excited to announce a GREAT-FUL GIVEAWAY, which will launch Friday, Feb. 28th at midnight (technically, March 1st)! So stay up late Friday and when midnight hits, check my blog (or check your email if you are a subscriber) for all of the details and the opportunity to enter the GREAT-FUL GIVEAWAY!  It’s my way of saying THANK YOU for your support and encouragement!

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In my Top Picks for this weekend, you will find fun places to bring your kids in the following towns: Algonquin, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Geneva, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, St. Charles, West Dundee, and Wheaton. Best of all, they are all FREE or CHEAP! Please note that most of the events listed are drop-in and require no registration, with the exception of the hockey and Home Depot workshop. And if they ask who sent you…tell them The Mommy did!

DISCLAIMER: The events posted below may change due to weather and other crazy circumstances, so I do encourage you to phone and/or check event information before heading out.

FRIDAY
Friday, February 28, 2014
Event: Barnes & Noble Pajama Storytime
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Barnes & Noble at Woodfield Plaza Shopping Center, 590 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg
Age: All ages
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Description: Bring a special stuffed animal and wear your jammies for this evening storytime for families
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-310-0450

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Friday, February 28, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Care Bears: A Belly Badge for Wonderheart, The Movie” (G, 65 mins.)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: See rating
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Watch a family-friendly 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, March 1, 2014
Event: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Gail Borden Public Library, 270 North Grove Ave., Elgin
Age: Children under age 8 are invited as long as their caregiver stays
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Description: Fun and festivities celebrating Dr. Seuss! Puzzles, games, and more!
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-742-2411

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: SPARKS Across America Family Fair (*event repeats on Sunday)
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
Age: 5 – 10 year olds and their family
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: A fun, hands-on event with a focus on engaging kids in science and nature. Kids will learn how animals survive, complete puzzles, see real animal skulls and furs and much more. Food available for purchase.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-985-2100

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: Try Hockey for FREE Day
Town: Hoffman Estates, IL
Where: Triphahn Center (Ice Arena), 1685 W. Higgins Rd., Hoffman Estates
Age: Boys and girls age 4 – 9 with caregiver
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Description: See what it’s like to play ice hockey! Coaches will be available to teach kids about the game through games and other activities. Sticks and skates are provided (but bring a bike helmet!)
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-285-5501
Special Note: This event requires registration, but you may do so online just prior to coming to the event on the day of the event.

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: Home Depot Kids’ Workshop: Build A Trojan Horse Bank (from the new DreamWorks animated film, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” coming March 2014)
Town: Various Illinois Home Depot Stores including Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and many more.
Where: Home Depot Stores
Age: Kids age 5 to 12 with caregiver
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Description: Hands-on workshop! Kids will complete mentioned project and receive a free apron, certificate of achievement  and pin.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site
Special Note: Please register for this event

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: Kids Dream Winter Film Series – “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2“ (PG) *(repeats Sunday, but note time change)
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Marcus Cinema, 111 S. Randall Rd., Elgin
Age: See rating
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a movie and enjoy concessions specials!
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site or 847-622-1000

Saturday, March 1, 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: ”Read Across North America” bookmark craft
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: Barnes & Noble Event: LEGO Movie Building Event
Town: Crystal Lake, Geneva, Schaumburg and West Dundee
Where: Various Illinois Barnes & Noble stores
Age: Age 4+
Time: Various times, depending on the store
Description: Build a scene from the movie
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site
Special Note: This event requires registration at most stores listed. See web site for details on times and store phone numbers.

Saturday, March 1, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Gruffalo: The Gruffalo’s Child” (G, 54 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

SUNDAY
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Event: Studio Movie Grill Toons Series: ”Gruffalo: The Gruffalo’s Child” (G, 54 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

Sunday, March 2, 2014
Event: SPARKS Across America Family Fair
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg
Age: 5 – 10 year olds and their family
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: A fun, hands-on event with a focus on engaging kids in science and nature. Kids will learn how animals survive, complete puzzles, see real animal skulls and furs and much more. Food available for purchase.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web site or 847-985-2100

Sunday, March 2, 2014
Event: Kids Dream Winter Film Series – “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2“ (PG)
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Marcus Cinema, 111 S. Randall Rd., Elgin
Age: See rating
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a movie and enjoy concessions specials!
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site or 847-622-1000

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