Monday 10/19 - Sunday 10/26/09

There are so many Halloween festivities in the coming weeks that I'm not sure how to choose between all the options.  Below I've highlighted some of the spooky spectaculars that sound the most promising.  Also, if you are looking to get away from the costumes and candy for a short period of time this weekend, check out the FREE Spanish classes for kids on Saturday.  Perhaps treating your kids to some brain food will make you feel a little better about two weekends of trick-or-treating for sugary sweets.  






THIS WEEK


Little Builders Exhibit: Is your child fascinated with household tools or Bob the Builder? If so, they'll love the new exhibit at the Kohl Children's Museum which allows kids to don a hard hat and build structures with blocks and pvc pipes, drive a dump truck and crane, paint with rollers, play with a wall of tools, etc.  
When: Daily through 1/10/10
Where: Kohl Children's Museum • 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview 


Hallow Fest at the Botanic Garden: The Botanic Garden celebrates a garden of good an evil in honor of Halloween this weekend.  There will be children's concerts and entertainment, pumpkin decorating, and ghost trains in the Model Railroad Garden.  
When: Fri and Sat 6p-8:30p • Sun 3p-5:30p
Where: Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe


Brookfield Zoo: The Brookfield zoo celebrates halloween with Boo at the Zoo and Dino Nights this weekend.  There will be scarecrow building, pumpkin decorating, a corn maze, hay rides, etc during the day.  There will also be a nighttime entrance to Dinosaurs Alive as well as spooky Halloween activities into the evening. Combo tickets for both events are $18 for adults and $12 for kids 3+.  

When: Dino Nights is Fri-Sun Night Boo at the Zoo is Sat and Sun day (hit above link for exact times)

Where: Brookfield Zoo • 8400 31st Street, Brookfield

Free Spanish Classes for Kids: Multilingual Chicago, a new language school opening in Logan Square, is offering free preview classes this weekend.  As every parent knows, kids' minds are little sponges so the earlier they are exposed to a second language the better!  And just for Windy City Tot readers, Multilingual Chicago is offering a 10% off coupon code good until the end of the year.  Use code WCT09 when registering for classes.  Click the link above to register for the free classes this weekend.
When: Sat 9a-9:50a Parent and Tot Spanish 18mo-3yrs • Sat 10:30a-11:30a Spanish for Kids 3-5yrs
Where: 2934 N Milwaukee Ave, Suite C


Andersonville Halloween Get Together: Bring kids age 5 and under to the playground to celebrate Halloween with your Andersonville neighbors. 
When: Sat 10a-12n
Where: Andersonville Playlot • 5233 N Ashland


Lincoln Park Zoo's Spooky Zoo Spectacular: Families can enjoy entertainment, a haunted house, arts and crafts and trick-or treating all while hanging out with the zoo animals.  
When: Sat 11a - 2p
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo • 2200 N Cannon, Chicago


Peterson Park No Scare Trail: Events at Peterson Park include costumed characters, face painting, pumpkins, games, treats, and Halloween trails.  
When: Sat 10a-1p
Where: Peterson Park • 5801 N Pulaski Road


Roscoe Village Halloween Parade: RV's annual Halloween parade marches up Damen for trick-or-treating at the local businesses.  
When: Sunday 2pm
Where: Parade starts at Leavitt and Roscoe


Southport Halloween Stroll: One of the more popular Chicago retail Halloween strolls takes place on Sunday.  You'll see a lot of cute costumes along a great street, but be warned: this is one of the most crowded kids' strolls of the season.  I wish traffic on Southport was blocked for this event as there is barely any room to walk on the sidewalks.  Be prepared for bumper to bumper Bugaboos. 
When: Sunday 1p-4p
Where: Southport north of Belmont