Fall Fun Fest Features Books, Pumpkins, Crafts at Children's Museum in Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL -- Fall Fun Fest returns for its ninth year to the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, set for this Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme is literacy encouraging young children to become life-long readers by reading aloud to them.

Starting at noon, the museum’s first Stop, Drop and Read with ME program will take place. Families are asked to momentarily stop their fall fest fun and read with their children. Also, bring a new or like-new book to donate to Cradles to Crayons to be distributed to local children in need.

The Children’s Museum has also teamed up with the Oak Lawn Public Library will be unveiling for the time their Little Free Library, a community book exchange that will reside outside of the Children’s Museum. This worldwide program is designed on the premise of “give a book, get a book,” and will be available for all people to participate, for free.

“Reading encourages discovery in a way that nothing else can,” says museum director Adam Woodworth. “Wondering what will happen next in the story promotes curiosity and it is that kind of curiosity that is needed in STEM learning. With all of the emphasis on STEM today, we need to make sure that we don’t lose sight of literacy as a key component to that learning.”

The Fall Fun Fest also features traditional autumnal activities, including pumpkins, bouncy houses, trackless train, face painting, crafts and food vendors. Most of the activities are free. The Children’s Museum is also offering half-price admission during the fest, as well as once-a-year membership registration and renewal perks.

The fun happens at 5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn. Free parking is available in the Metra Parking Tower behind the museum.