Winter break ideas to entertain children, save parents’ sanity offered by parks, libraries
With the holiday hustle and bustle, time may be lacking to plan for the break from school.
To avoid any boredom-induced woes or whines and temper tantrums, area park districts, libraries and forest preserve districts are looking out for parents in need of rescue.
Here are some events to help kids stay merry — and save your sanity — during winter break.
Kids ages 5 and up can stop by for bingo at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 29 and Jan. 2-5. The library is at 11960 S. Pulaski Road. Details at 708-371-5666.
Windy City Hoops is a free basketball league for boys and girls ages 13 to 18 on Friday and Saturday nights at 11 locations, including the South and North Lawndale, West Englewood and Austin neighborhoods. Details at 312-745-1295.
Winter Breakout Adventure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Camp Sullivan, 14630 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest, will have guided nature hikes, snowshoeing, tracking, shelter building and a campfire with s’mores, weather permitting, plus an indoor climbing wall. Admission is free. Details at 708-386-4042 or
Winter Adventure Camp from 9:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 2-4, Jan. 3-5 or Jan. 4-6 will include animal tracking and winter experiments for ages 8 to 10 at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs. The cost is $15. Details at 708-839-6897 or
Warm up to Snowshoeing for ages 7 and up will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 2-6 and from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 7 at Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road, Beecher. The program costs $10. For snowshoe rentals, a $10 cash deposit and a valid driver’s license also are required. Rent one pair of snowshoes and get a second pair free the same day. Registration is not required. Details at 708-946-2216.
Twelfth Night at the Museum for ages 5 and up will have music, stories, games and dancing reminiscent of an 18th century French holiday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 5 at Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. 135th St., Romeoville. A make-and-take vintage French craft will be offered too. The program is free, with registration required by Jan. 3 via
Living History Demonstrations, also at Isle a la Cache Museum, is a free all-ages program from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4 during which the fur trade era is depicted by members of the volunteer Isle a la Cache Brigade portraying cooks, seamstresses, voyageurs, soldiers or craftsmen. Registration is not required.
LEGO Winter Break Mini-Camp for ages 5 to 10 will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Kids will build a luge, a snowplow and other winter items with interactive Bricks 4 Kidz models. The cost is $65 ($60 residents).
The new Holiday Hoops Camp for ages 6 to 14 of all skill levels will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Dec. 29 ($59 for residents and $64 for nonresidents).
The new Shooting Camp, also for ages 6 to 14, will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 2-3. It is designed to improve basketball dribbling and shooting skills ($30/$35).
All camps will be held at Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St. Details at 815-469-9400 or
Kids Countdown Troll Skate Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Dec. 29 at the Oak Lawn Ice Arena, 9320 S. Kenton Ave., will include skating lessons, group routine practice, crafts and games. Participants then will perform at the Kids Countdown Event at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The fee is $99. Details at 708-857-5173 or
Programs include Cocoa & Crafts for Kids at 10 a.m. Jan. 2; School’s Out, Glues Out at 2 p.m. Jan. 3; Shake Rattle & Roll Storytime at 10 a.m. Jan. 4; Read to the Dogs with a certified therapy dog at 10 a.m. Jan. 5; and How to Build a Computer at 1 p.m. Jan. 5.
The library is at 12501 S. 71st Ave., Palos Heights. Details at 708-448-1473 or
Kids can make party favors and hats during Kids’ DIY New Year’s Eve Party at 2 p.m. Thursday or make an edible treat then read about cooking in Scavenge the Shelves: Find It, Read It, Make It at 6 p.m. Jan. 3.
Teenagers are invited to Tabletop Roleplaying Game Night, with cosplay optional, at 6 p.m. Jan. 3.
The library is at 121 E. 8th St., Lockport. Details at 815-552-4250 or
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