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Welcome to my Top Picks for the weekend of May 16 through 18, 2014. If you are new to my blog, I’m so glad you found me! I hope Mommy By The River becomes a useful tool for your family fun. And with the school year now winding down, I’m finding the events are really beginning to stack up. What a fun weekend we have ahead of us. So let’s get started, shall we?
In my Top Picks this weekend, you will find one of my favorite annual events: Elgin’s annual Public Works Open House/Touch-A-Truck event; plus, Carol Stream’s Just Play Sports & Recreation Festival; Hoffman Estates’ Raptorland Grand Opening and much more! Best of all, they are all FREE or CHEAP! And if they ask who sent you…tell them The Mommy did!
DISCLAIMER: Information on these events and activities is obtained through press releases, word of mouth, publications and reader submissions. Although we are careful to report accurate dates and times as they are given to us, we realize that sometimes we receive inaccurate information or events may be cancelled. We strongly encourage you to confirm the information before heading out and/or to click the link that is provided for each activity to check the details.
FRIDAY
Friday, May 16, 2014
Event: Mom & Tot Bowling
Town: South Barrington, IL
Where: Pinstripes, 100 W. Higgins Rd., South Barrington
Age: Kids age 6 and under with adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Description: Kids get to bowl. Easy ball ramp is available to roll the bowling ball down!
Cost: $5 per child. Adult is FREE. Limit of 4 kids per adult.
Information: Web site or 847-844-9300
Find out what's happening in St. Charlesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Event: Tot Time Open Swim
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: The Centre, (Adventure Island Pool) 100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Age: Kids age 6 mos. through five years with adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an open swim time with your little ones
Cost: $3 (R) or $4 (NR); adult is FREE
Information: Web site or 847-531-7030
SATURDAY
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Public Works Open House/Touch-A-Truck
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Elgin Public Works Department, 1900 Holmes Rd., Elgin
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Description: Equipment rides and demonstrations (street sweeper and snow plow), Touch-a-Truck: sit on and touch a variety of trucks and equipment, tours, giveaways, free food.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-931-6100
Find out what's happening in St. Charlesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Barnes & Noble Storytime: Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”
Town: Various Barnes & Noble stores
Where: Arlington Heights, Crystal Lake, Geneva, Schaumburg, and West Dundee,
Age: Kids of all ages
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a storytime. Activity and cookies follow at Spring Hill location in West Dundee
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Paws to Read Kickoff Extravaganza
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, IL
Age: All ages
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: Summer reading program kickoff party offers balloon animals, crafts, information booths, demonstrations and meet McGruff the Crime Dog.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-742-2411
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Just Play! Sports & Recreation Festival (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Carol Stream, IL
Where: Carol Stream Town Center, Gary Ave. & Lies Rd., Carol Stream
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Huge outdoor sports festival offering 100+ sports activities, entertainment, and performances. Events include DuPage Children’s Museum, climbing wall, tumbling obstacle course, BMX performance, zip lining, line dancing and much, much more.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-784-6114
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Blooming Fest
Town: West Chicago, IL
Where: Main St. in the historic downtown district
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Plant sale, craft show, children’s activities, music, food and fun
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-293-2200 ext. 135
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Hay rides (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Rd., Wheaton
Age: All ages
Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a horse-drawn hay ride around the property
Cost: FREE
Information: Facebook
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timer Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Event: Michaels Kids Club Craft Fun
Town: Multiple store locations including: Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Geneva, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg, IL
Where: Area Michaels Stores
Age: Kids ages 3+
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (30 mins. in length starting every 1/2 hour)
Description: Create a craft!
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site
Special Note: It appears that you must now pre-register. Put in your zip code and select a store.
SUNDAY
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Event: Awesome Art Afternoons
Town: St. Charles, IL
Where: Water Street Studios, 117 W. Main St., St. Charles
Age: 3+ with adult; teens welcome
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Art activities including drawing, coloring, pasting or painting
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-761-9977
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timer Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Event: Just Play! Sports & Recreation Festival
Town: Carol Stream, IL
Where: Carol Stream Town Center, Gary Ave. & Lies Rd., Carol Stream
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: Huge outdoor sports festival offering 100+ sports activities, entertainment, and performances. Events include DuPage Children’s Museum, climbing wall, tumbling obstacle course, BMX performance, zip lining, line dancing and much, much more.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-784-6114
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Event: Hay rides
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Rd., Wheaton
Age: All ages
Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a horse-drawn hay ride around the property
Cost: FREE
Information: Facebook
