Orland Square Welcomes a New S.T.E.A.M. Children's Play Area

Finding the perfect children’s educational and fun-filled activities just got even easier with the upcoming opening of a new children’s play area at Orland Square focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.). Officially open to public on Saturday, November 4, the approximately 1800-square-foot play area has an open floor plan, creating an interactive environment for both children and parents alike.

“We're excited to be one of only five nationwide malls bringing this wonderful play area to our local community,” said director of marketing & business development, Cathy Mein. “The incredible design created by Agency 808, will allow local children to engage with each other in a collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment that embraces the arts, math and sciences.”

The S.T.E.A.M. play area features a variety of learning opportunities focused around core areas of children’s education, further reinforcing Orland Square’s commitment to the advancement of knowledge for children in the Orland Park community and surrounding areas.

Located in the lower level JCPenney wing, the play area is near the carousel, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Journey’s Kidz and Kids Foot Locker Fly Zone, creating a dedicated wing to children’s entertainment. Additionally, Orland Square has partnered with Prairie Art Studio, a community-based art studio offering creative after-school activities, to display more than a dozen pieces of local children’s art on a rotating, quarterly basis.

A private invitation-only ribbon cutting ceremony is taking place on Friday, November 3 with the help of Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and 60 local children from Southwest Chicago MomCo group. In continuation of the opening celebrations, Orland Square will also be hosting the WTTW Kids BIG IDEA tour on Saturday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m. The BIG IDEA Traveling Lab will present a free, 45-minute family-friendly live show focusing on educating and entertaining through the power of S.T.E.A.M. – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The BIG IDEA aims to teach children how to work through problems and open their minds to find a new understanding to solve conundrums, both big and small. Some of the most popular and beloved children’s television programs on WTTW Kids, along with favorite children’s books, will be incorporated to support presented themes, with children having the opportunity to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog at the end of the show.

For more information about WTTW Kids BIG IDEA, please visit www.wttw.com/bigidea.

About WTTW

WTTW is a premier public media organization committed to creating and presenting unique television and digital media content across four distinct television channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW WORLD, and WTTW PBS Kids – and on wttw.com. Recognized for award-winning local and national productions such as Chicago Tonight, Check, Please!, and MEXICO – One Plate at a Time, WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s programming. Visitors to wttw.com can access a full library of local and national video content for kids and adults, immersive web-exclusive stories and features, event and membership opportunities, and more. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Orland Square Mall

Orland Square, the hometown mall for Chicago’s Southwest suburbs, and a leading fashion destination, is anchored by Macy’s, Carson Pirie Scott, Sears and JCPenney. This climate-controlled indoor mall features more than 150 popular retail stores, such as Apple, Aveda, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles, Francesca’s Collections, H&M, Lush, Pandora, PINK, Vera Bradley and Victoria’s Secret. In addition, shoppers enjoy a variety of dining options, including The Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Buster’s, as well as Starbucks, Great Steak & Potato Company, Chikwich at Fresh Market Grill and more.