**Reminder: Online registration for Chicago Park District classes begins Monday 4/20 at 9a. Classes go FAST. Have your classes queued up and ready to go Monday am. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/programs.home.cfm
WEEKDAY
Green Mama Cafe at the Nature Museum: a group of parents meet on a regular basis to network and discuss ways to live green. Kids under the age of three can be with their parents during the session or for an extra $5 they can join a playgroup run by museum staff members. Each session is $5. Tuesday 4/21 • 10:30a-11:30a • 2430 N. Cannon Drive • Chicago. http://www.naturemuseum.org/cgi-bin/calendar.pl?view=Event&event_id=10338&datestring=20090421
Kohl Children's Museum: There are several reasons to visit the Children's Museum in Glenview this week. First, the annual Eggs to Chicks exhibit is included with the price of admission to the museum. The exhibit features a child-height egg incubator, hatchery and pen for newborn chicks. Daily through 5/11/09. For train lovers, the Let's Play Railway exhibit features rides around the museum in a fully operational kiddie train. There is an additional $2 fee to ride the train. Last dates of the exhibit are Tues 4/21 - Fri 4/24 • 9:30a-1:30p. The museum opens at 9:30a Mon-Sat and 12n on Sunday. Members get in a half hour early Mon-Sat • 2100 Patriot Boulevard • Glenview, IL 60026 http://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/
The Disneynature Film "Earth" is deputing on Earth Day, Wed 4/22. Narrated by James Earl Jones, it documents three animal families and their journey across the planet. The movie is a feature length family version of the TV series Planet Earth. It is probably most appropriate for kids 7 years old or older, especially those interested in polar bears, elephants or whales. For Chicagoland showtimes hit: http://showtimes.disneypictures.com/tw_result.php?Date=042209&ticketFilter=0&HistoryBack=1&WebSiteTrackID=101950&MovieID=64819&State=IL&City=Chicago&ZIPCode=Zip%20Code
The Purple Asparagus, a non-profit working on bringing families together for healthy mealtimes, is hosting three awesome events this week in honor of Earth Month. The first is a Kids Cooking Class at Smarty Party (Belmont and Wolcott). The focus will be on tasting, touching and smelling fresh herbs and then making three simple dishes: herb yogurt dip, tomato salad on a stick, and rosemary grilled cheese. The cost is $25 per child. Call in advance to RSVP for the class on Thursday 4/23 • 3:30p-4:30p • 773.687.0521. **Tip: As you probably guessed from the name, Smarty Party also does birthday parties. You can scout it out for a possible party venue while you are there. It looks really cute! http://smartyparty.us/
Morton Arboretum: Enjoy free admission to the arboretum on Arbor Day, Friday 4/24. This is one of my favorite places to bring my son. The Children's Garden is simply amazing and provides hours of entertainment. Bring your bikes to explore the 9 miles of paved bike paths that wind through the scenic trees. Friday-Sunday is the Arboretum's annual plant sale. The sale is open to members only Fri-Sat and to the general public on Sunday. 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. The Arboretum opens at 7a daily and the Children's Garden opens at 9:30a. http://www.mortonarb.org/
WEEKEND
Purple Asparagus is also hosting a Kids Composting Class class at a Cooler Planet in Roscoe Village. Kids and Parents will learn how to turn their garbage into nutrient-rich compost. Participants will also get to use the compost to plant a herb seedling. $10 for a parent-child team. Call in advance to RSVP for the class on Saturday 4/25 • 773.248.1100.
Lincoln Square's Kids in the Square event takes place this weekend. The businesses in Lincoln Square will host free activities, give away treats, and offer specials throughout the day. Some of the activities include: Teddy Bear Picnic at Timeless Toys, a free showing of Kung Fu Panda at the Davis movie theatre, a meet and greet with the aforementioned Panda at Degerberg Academy. The Purple Asparagus people appear again preparing snacks for adults and kids outside of Provenance restaurant during the event. The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce promises much, much, more as well. Saturday 4/25 • 10a-4p.
Clean and Green Citywide Cleanup: This is a great way to teach your kids to give back! Volunteer for a location close to your home to help pick up trash and spruce up the area. The city will provide use of brooms, rakes, shovels and bags. I must say, it annoys me that you cannot register for cleanup online. I wonder how many Chicago residents don't know about this and don't participate because there is hardly any information about the cleanup online. Call 311 to register for the event which takes place on Saturday 4/25. **TIP: If you don't want to deal with registration, do what my husband does when we go to the park. Bring a bag with you and pick up trash along the way and at the playground. It is not only a great lesson for your kids, but the right thing to do for your neighborhood. Who knows, a neighborhood kid may see you doing this and be inspired to pitch in as well. Find other ways to help the parks at: http://fotp.org/
Chicago Public Schools Workshop: If you are considering sending your children to CPS this could be a worthwhile event. The CPS Office of Academic Enhancement is holding a workshop that will help parents find and apply to the right CPS schools. Sat 4/25 • 2p-3p • Woodson Regional Library (Childrens Book Area) • 9525 S. Halsted • 312.745.2080
Baby Loves Disco - Naperville: BLD is a dance party for the pre-school set. Bubble machines, baskets of scarves and egg shakers, cool lighting, and a DJ spinning hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s guarantees a good time. When your tot tires out, be sure to hit the chill out area complete with bean bags, tents, pillows and books. There are always great snacks and product samples. Best of all, mom and dad can get get a bloody mary at the bar. Rizzo's Bar Sunday 4/26 12n-3p. 6 W Jefferson Ave, between Main Street and Washington. $15 per walking human at the door. $12 advance tickets. http://www.babylovesdisco.tickets.musictoday.com/BabyLovesDisco/calendar.aspxMaybe you saw a late night show at the Beat Kitchen before your life was ruled by little people weighing in at less than 40 lbs. Head back there, sober this time, on Sundays for Concerts for Kids. Lindsay Weinberg, a local Chicagoan who sings in several bands, will be playing on 4/26. She has a great voice so this is a show that both kids and parents will enjoy. Doors at 11a. Show starts at 12n • $5 per person • 2100 W. Belmont. http://www.beatkitchen.com
ON-GOING ACTIVITIES
The Kids' Table offers cooking classes for 2-3 year olds almost every day of the week. Classes for 4-6 year olds, 7-10 year olds, and 11-16 year olds are offered several days a week as well. The classes for toddlers and kids are one hour and cost $25. The classes for teens are 1.5 hours and are $110 for a series of four. 2337 W. North Avenue. http://www.kids-table.com/calendar/
The Field Museum: Aaargh! Pirates are a hot topic these days. You and your kids can learn all about the ups and downs of life as a pirate at the Real Pirates exhibit. This exhibit features hundreds of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the first fully authenticated pirate ship discovered in U.S. waters almost 300 years ago. Admission to the museum is $13 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11. If you want to see the Real Pirate exhibit the cost is $21 for adults and $12 for children. The field museum is free on the second Monday of each month. Upcoming free days are: Monday 5/11 and Monday 6/8 • 1400 S. Lakeshore Dr. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
The Alder Planetarium is showing One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure staring, you guessed it, your kids' favorite Sesame Street characters. Big Bird, Elmo, and a friend from China, discover fun facts about the stars, planets, sun and moon. Weekday shows are at 1p and 2:30p and weekend shows are 12n and 3p. 4/21 and 4/28 are free admission days for the planetarium. Otherwise the cost of entry plus the show is $19 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3-14. 1300 S. Lakeshore Dr. http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
