Community Events
We believe in the importance of giving our children as much life experiences as possible. Here
are some area activities that you may wish to do as a family.
Chicago Parent Event Calendar
Chicago Parent has an excellent online event calendar. Make this your first stop when looking for activities for
your family. www.chicagoparent.com/calendar.asp
Ticketmaster
Looking for plays and other big events? Go to Ticketmaster and click on Family in their Categories section near
the top left of the page. www.ticketmaster.com
After Hours Film Society
Location: After Hours Film Society at Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, IL
Members and non-members alike are welcome to view presentations of foreign, classic and specialty films
every second and fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (except May and December).
Anderson’s Bookshop
Location: Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W Jefferson, Naperville – Calendar of Events - 630-355-2665
Aurora Skate Center
Location: Aurora Skate Center, 34W113 Montgomery Rd., Aurora - 630-898-5830
Aurora Skate Center has drop in skating lessons for children on the autism spectrum every Wednesday from 5
to 6 p.m. You may have to skate with your child depending on the need of his/her assistance. The teacher is a
very experienced skater who teaches at a school for children with autism and other disabilities.
Bird Watching
On the first Saturday of each month, Kane County Audubon invites the public to join them as they view the birds
of Nelson Lake. Meet in the parking lot by the silo at 8 a.m., west of Nelson Lake Rd., about 3/4 mile south of
Main St. and about 2 miles west of Randall Rd. in Batavia. Call Rhonda Nelson for info at 630-479-1384.
Blue Man Group
Contact/Location: Briar Street Theater Chicago
Performance is appropriate for children aged five and older
Brookfield Zoo
Location: Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield at First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St.– 708-485-0263
- Free general admission is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in February, October, November and
December.
Cherish Scrapbooking
Location: Rte 59, strip mall with Dominic's, South Naperville - www.cherish-scrapbooking.com
The 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, Cherish has a free teen night from 6-9 p.m.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
Comedy Sportz 4 Kids
Contact: www.comedysportzchicago.com
Location: 2851 N Halsted, Chicago - Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Clean comedy that anyone can enjoy. Our 4kidz version features tons more interaction so that children become
a big part of the show they came to see. The more children are involved, the better time they have. And with lots
of singing and a running time under an hour, this show is just right for younger attention spans. Private
performances are also available.
Cyberspace Lazer Tag
Contact: www.cyberspacelazertag.com - 630-922-2700
Location: 24125 111th St (Hassert Blvd), Naperville - 1-1/2 blocks West of Rte 59
Parents play free every Wednesday with their paid child. Good way to prep your child on the lazer tag experience
before getting invited to a birthday party.
Dancing
Two Left Feet Dance offers dancing on the first and third Fridays of each month from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at
Country Square Strip Mall, 605 E Ogden Ave., lower level, Naperville. Admittance for first-time guests is $5 and
includes refreshments. Call for info 630-717-9930.
DuPage Children’s Museum - Autism Family Day
Location: DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville – 630-637-8000
Autism Family Day is the third Thursday of the month from 5-7 p.m. Families are invited to come play and use
the augmentative communication devices available at the exhibits. A resource table is also available with
community services displayed.
Du Page County Fairgrounds
Location: DuPage County Fairgrounds – 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton - Calendar of Events
DuPage County Historical Museum
Location: 102 E Wesley St., Wheaton – Calendar of Events- 630-682-7343
Field Museum
Location: Field Museum, 11400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago –312-665-7400
Family Calendar of Events - Upcoming Events
Forest Preserve of DuPage County
Contact: DuPage County Forest Preserve – Calendar of Events - 630-933-7200
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Contact: Forest Preserve District of Will County - www.fpdwc.org - 708-534-8499
Joliet Jackhammers Baseball
Location: Joliet Jackhammers, Silver Cross Field, One Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet
Baseball season schedule from May thru Labor Day weekend
Kane County Cougars
Location: Kane County Cougars, Elfstrom Stadium, 34W002 Cherry Ln, Geneva - 630-232-8811
Baseball season schedule from April thru Labor Day weekend
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Location: Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 220 Cottage Hill., Elmhurst – Calendar of Events - 630-833-1616
Millennium Park
Location: Downtown Chicago, Michigan Ave. between Washington and Madison - Calendar of Events
Morton Arboretum
Location: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle – Calendar of Events - 630-968-0074
Enjoy the fall colors on their Acorn Express open air tram, a guided tour of some of the arboretum’s 1,700 acres.
Also the Maze Garden will transform into a Grimm Brothers fairy tale featuring such characters as Hansel and
Gretel.
Museum of Science and Industry
Location: Museum of science and industry – 57th St. and Lake Shore Dr., Chicago – 773-684-1414
Naper Settlement
Location: Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St., Naperville – 630-305-5555
Navy Pier
Location: Navy Pier, Chicago - 312-595-PIER
Next Chapter Book Club
Contact: Augmentative Communication Technology Supports - www.actsil.org
Location: Borders, La Grange at the intersection of LaGrange Rd and Ogden Ave. This Borders is located
across the street from the Metra LaGrange Road station and is served by 2 PACE buses. Transportation
vouchers available.
The Next Chapter Book Club provides adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to read
and learn to read, talk about books and make friends in a fun, community setting. Book club members all have
significant communication challenges and rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Members meet weekly to read and discuss books of their choosing. They range from those who read well to
those who do not read at all. There is a $10 fee to join.
Noetbaert Nature Museum
Contact: The Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago - Calendar of Events – 773-755-5100
Thru Sept 9 - Robot and Us - This special exhibit explores how biology and engineering are bringing us closer to
our wildest robot dreams. Buzzing with nearly two dozen interactive experiences.
Oh Suzanna! Children’s Art Classes
Location: 1624 Conan Doyle Rd., Naperville - Contact: Suzanna Simons – ssimon81@aol.com
Latest children’s art class schedule – www.onlythebestfineart.com
Pump It Up – Pop In Playtime Monthly Schedule
Location: Pump It Up – 4995 Varsity Dr., Lisle - 630-435-5867
Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m. - Cost: $7 per child
Pump It Up, the inflatable party zone features six giant inflatables to jump, slide and crawl through. Parents must
stay and children must wear socks. Bring quarters for air hockey and an electronic basketball game. For
children aged 0 to Kindergarten. Water coolers are available for thirsty kids. Pop In Playtime takes place every
Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pump It Up - Special Needs Night
Location: Pump It Up - 11411 W 183rd St., Orland Park - 6-8 p.m. - 708-479-2220
Pump It Up invites children with special needs for a private sensory night the first Monday of each month.
Registration is required.
Sci-Tech
Contact: SciTech Museum - 630-859-3434 – 18 W. Benton, Aurora
Shedd Aquarium
Location: Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
Shedd’s website makes it difficult to link to their information. Click on the link and then click on events to view
public events and seminars/classes.
Dec. Spongebob Squarepants, a 4D adventure
Sibshops
Contact: Tara Koseiniak - tara@sibsnetwork.org - www.sibsnetwork.org
Location: CoACH Care Center, 7S721 Rte. 53, Naperville
Sibshops are workshops for the siblings of children with disabilities. It offers them a chance to have fun with
other children who understand what they are going through as a sibling in a different type of home situation.
Children get the chance to discuss their feelings and also learn more about the implications of their siblings'
special needs.
The Socializers
Contact: Jacqueline Canty - 708-857-2200 - jcanty@olparks.com
Location: Oak View Center, 4625 W 110th St., Oak Lawn
Every Saturday from 1-2 p.m., meet other kids just like you who share the same interest. Children with
disabilities age 6 to 18 can play board games, do crafts and have fun. A light snack will be provided. There is
also a parent forum and support group for parents of children with disabilities that meet once a month. Staff will
watch children during the meting. A fee may be involved.
Waubonsie Valley HS Planetarium Family Night
Contact: Stephanie_gove@ipsd.org - http://planetarium.ipsd.org
Location: Waubonsie Valley High School Planetarium, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora – 7 p.m.
The topic for this Family Night is 'The Stars in the North'. Come make your own Big Dipper Finder and discover
how the Big Dipper moves throughout the year. Also, come take a journey around the world to see the night sky
at the North Pole, the Equator, and the South Pole. Cost is $1 for students K-8 and $2 for high school students
and adults. The show lasts about an hour. Reservations are not required. Seating is limited and on a first
come, first serve basis.
Special Recreation
Channahon Park District
Contact: www.channahonpark.org - Look for Special Recreation under Program heading
Downers Grove Park District
Contact: 630-960-7600 www.dgparks.org - Winter/Spring Brochure
SEASPAR and Downers Grove Park District provide inclusive recreation services. This means your chlid can
attend any Downers Grove park district program with a SEASPAR aide and other accommodations.
Fox Valley Special Recreation Association
Contact: www.fvsra.org - 630-907-1114 - special recreation for St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Fox Valley,
Oswego, Sugar Grove
Joliet-Bolingbrook Special Recreation Association (JBSRA)
Contact: www.bolingbrookparks.org/ - 630-739-1124
Special Needs Events - www.bolingbrookparks.org/specialevents/JBSRA.asp
Naperville Park District
Contact: Naperville Park District – 630-848-5000 - Winter/Spring Brochure
WDSRA and Naperville Park District provide inclusive recreation services. This means your child can attend any
Naperville park district program with a WDSRA aide and other accommodations.
South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR)
Contact: 630-960-7600 www.dgparks.org - Winter/Spring Brochure
SEASPAR and Downers Grove Park District provide inclusive recreation services. This means your child can
attend any Downers Grove park district program with a SEASPAR aide and other accommodations.
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association
Contact: WDSRA – Becca Bogenschutz, program coordinator becab@wdsra.org - 630-681-0961
