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July 2014 - COOK COUNTY'S ONLY CANYON You know it’s going to be a good adventure when they tell you to be prepared to wade through streams and suggest wearing rain boots or old gym shoes; or when the tour guide brings a little white bag to collect any snakes you might find en route; or when I have packed a change of clothes, just in case one of the girls completely falls in the slippery waters during the hike. Would you guess that this adventure is just 30 minutes from Naperville in nearby Lemont? Did you know that the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve is Cook County’s only canyon and individual access is restricted to protect this unique and fragile site of rare plants and awesome rock formations? And how cool is it that in the wintertime, Sagawau becomes a chief Nordic ski location, with rentals, lessons, and groomed trails? But throughout the spring, summer, and fall months, you can participate in many free programs offered at the center, including the weekly canyon hikes. Although highly educational, the hike is great for any age from preschoolers on up. The kids were given enough freedom to explore the canyon walls and caves, and peak through a natural chimney; as well as investigate the waters for wildlife. They most enjoyed walking directly in the middle of the stream and tempting fate as they jumped from rock to rock and climbed a log that lay over the stream like a balance beam. We were fortunate to hike during Snake Migration season which happens each Spring. As temperatures rise, snakes leave their burrows in the canyon walls and property signs alert hikers of the anticipated snake sitings, such as the little brown snake we saw! For an afternoon adventure, just a short drive from home, checkout Cook County’s only canyon sometime this summer! OVERVIEW Sagawau Environmental Learning Center promotes the study of nature in a relaxed setting. A visitor center includes exhibits on geology, history, and habitat management. Featured programs also include tours of Cook County’s only canyon. Sagawau provides habitat for over 100 species of migrant and resident birds, and is home for the banding program of the Chicagoland Bird Observatory. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th Street, Lemont, IL Phone: 630-257-2045 http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environment-learning-center/ Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily Prices: Free #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBHikingNature #MBBOutdoorAdventures #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #KidsTeens

June 2014 - MUDDY FUN My husband has completed two Ironman competitions which has inspired my girls to want to compete in races and triathlons. I, on the other hand, simply enjoy goofing around on the sidelines and taking photos of everyone else hard at work. I am more of a Dine N’ Dash (Roselle Park District) race participant which requires the fourth team member (who does not run!) to devour a giant, ice cream covered chocolate chip. Having found my perfect race niche and the amazing discounted prices via Living Social and Groupon, I am now able to enjoy these types of activities with my family. This past May we completed our second Heroes Mud Run held in Aurora. For the child that just loves to play in the mud and rain, this is indeed heaven on earth. The kid race, designed for 4-13 year olds, is about 2K and does not require swimming, unless you choose to take a dive in the mud pool, which is of course, exactly what my girls did. The giggles of two muddy girls could be heard across the country. Armed with our new found fun, we have our eye on other suburban fun runs that are open to almost any age, including babies in strollers! Checkout the Glow 5K Run for Reading in Naperville on June 7th (http://nicaricoliteracyfund.org/glow/index.cfm); The Color Vibe in Aurora on June 15th (www.thecolorvibe.com/aurora.php#) - where kids under 7 years old are FREE; the Buggy Boogie Stroller 5K in Aurora on September 6th (https://foxlink.fvpd.net/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp) - which includes admission to the Fun Fair at Blackberry Farm; and what could be more fun than playing in the bubbles, in the dark, at the Foam Glow on September 20th in Bridgeview (www.foamglow.com). These great charitable races include more than just exercising – they include fun bonus activities (and don’t forget the FREE t-shirts) for most any age!! OVERVIEW The Little Heroes Kid’s 2K Course is for ages 4-13. It contains 6-8 obstacles and parents are welcome to run alongside and aide their children. The Heroes Mud Run is held in Aurora, IL on the grounds of Marmion Academy and Abbey Farms. info@theheroesmudrun.com http://theheroesmudrun.com/ Hours: Every May Prices: $10.00 if purchased from Living Social and includes youth t-shirt, goodie bag and upon finishing, official Heroes Mud Run Dog Tag #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBGivingBack #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #June2014 #KidsTeens

November 2013 - GET THE ENERGY OUT Not quite sure what to expect of the new Ball Factory Indoor Play & Café in Naperville, I ventured out without my own tween girls and took my college girlfriend and her toddler to explore the new facility on the southwest side of town. As soon as I walked in, I knew instantly my girls would be upset with me because the environment was indeed perfect for all ages from infants to tweens. With a gigantic, multi-level play structure boasting a grand 30 foot long triple slide and over 20 different obstacles and experiences that includes steps and mazes, a huge ball pit, and a separate room completely dedicated to blasting your friends with foam balls - any child, of any age, is sure to get their energy out. My girlfriend’s toddler was just as entertained in the safety of the enclosed area designed specifically for little ones under four years old, full of soft indoor play equipment, extensive padding, balls, foam blocks, a mini-slide, and a swing. The gate protected the teenies from getting trampled by the tweenies but offered enough stimulating activities that she was completely entertained. The café is ginormous to say the least. There is a huge area of tables with free Wi-Fi access, a snack bar, and a pool table for teens and adults to stay entertained while the littler ones play. Beyond the multi-level play structure is an area of pedal cars as well. There is enough open space that if the kids wanted to just run in circles, they could literally do just that. Being budget conscience, although I was excited about the new indoor play facility, I was a bit put off by the price. After further investigation, I discovered that you can purchase a punch card which brings down the price considerably. If you don’t think you will go often enough to use the punches, don’t forget, you can buy the card and share it with friends. So if you plan ahead to meet a group of pals there, purchase the punch card, split the price, and share the punches to get a full day of play at a discounted rate. - Kristen Kucharski Sidebar Location: Ball Factory Indoor Play & Café, 864 IL Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540 Phone: 630-445-8365 Website: www.ballfactoryfun.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Prices: 6 months to 4 years, $9-Monday through Friday and $11-Saturday & Sunday; Kids 5 & Up, $12-Monday through Friday and $14 Saturday & Sunday. Adults are free. Punch passes available. Description: Ball Factory is an indoor play arena for children 0 months to 13 years old and includes a 4-level play structure with slides, a soft padded play area for younger children, a ball blaster room, pedal cars, a café with seating, and a pool table for teens and adults. Socks Required! #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #November2013 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

May 2014 - MOM'S BUCKET LIST Since May and Mother’s Day go hand-in-hand, I decided to indulge myself and put the Mom back in Mom’s Black Book this month, taking my family on a Mom’s Bucket List adventure. I’ve chalked many things off my bucket list such as traveling to Europe, getting my motorcycle license, skydiving, going to trapeze school, and now playing with the dolphins just 3 hours from Chicago! The Dolphin In-Water Adventure at the Indianapolis Zoo is an easy day trip or a great weekend get-away and is an experience families with kids at least 6 years old and 54 inches tall can experience together. This incredible adventure had us all in the water, side-by-side, personally interacting with the dolphins. The most intimidating part of the experience was putting on the mandatory wetsuit to participate in the activity! I am not sure if my husband or my girls enjoyed the activity most, but I can tell you my personal experience is something I will never forget. The ability to be a trainer for the day was so awesome – we learned basic hand signals working with the dolphins to carry out specific behaviors, we rewarded our dolphins with fish directly in their mouths, and we were educated on the dolphins’ characteristics using a touch and feel approach with the dolphins’ fins, tail, and snout in hand. We hugged our dolphin, received a kiss from our dolphin, and then got splashed by our dolphin as he said good-bye! It was personal, it was emotional; it was absolutely amazing! After seeing all the animal experiences offered at the zoo, such as Animal Art Adventures where you paint directly with an elephant, penguin, dolphin, or pinniped; plus, hearing about the epic experience to be had at the new International Orangutan Center opening May 24th, we will be back! OVERVIEW Animals and exhibits; White River Gardens; Rides and shows; Interactive animal experiences, overnights, and workshops; International Orangutan Center; Splash park and playground. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222 317-630-2076 www.indianapoliszoo.com Hours: May 23-September 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday & Holidays. Closed June 13th. Prices: Pick Your Day, Pick Your Price, Pick Your Package to save the most money by purchasing your tickets online in-advance. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #May2014 #KidsTeens

January 2014 - FREE FOR SCOUTS In the midst of the hustle and bustle of west suburban living sits a log cabin out in the woods in the middle of Plainfield. Glisson Archery Range and Pro Shop is owned by Plainfield resident, Walter Glisson, otherwise known as Sonny, the Master Instructor. Over the past 30 years, Sonny has taught more than 250,000 scouts how to accurately hold a bow and safely shoot an arrow – and he does this for FREE. Sonny is extremely passionate about the sport and takes his instruction seriously, yet ensures a good time by adding balloons or Zombie targets to add a thrill to the experience. My good friend Jane organized an outing for my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and we headed to the range to learn a bit about hitting a bull’s eye. With both an indoor and outdoor range, we were guaranteed a good time regardless of what the weather brought our way. Taking advantage of the 14 position NFAA certified 20 yard indoor range; every girl in our troop was able to shoot simultaneously; therefore eliminating any unnecessary whining about having to take turns. Sonny appreciates a watchful eye so be sure to bring enough chaperones with your group. Not a scout, not a problem. The range is open to everyone – members and non-members. For just $5/hour and a $5/equipment rental fee (indoor only), you can shoot anytime the range is open. If you are new to the sport, you can learn with your own on-site private instructor for just $10/hour. The more experienced shooters can use their own equipment on the outdoor 3D range which boasts 52 McKensie game targets at distances up to 50 yards; a broadhead range with targets out to 40 yards from ground level or tower elevations; and long distance target stations at 30/40/50/60/80/100 yards. So in a month when health and wellness are at the forefront, and the weather cannot be your excuse, get out and get active with the entire family! - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Indoor and outdoor target range facilities, a well-equipped pro-shop, outfitting and repair services, hunting trips and instruction. Glisson Archery Range and Pro Shop 22900 E Main Street, Plainfield, IL 60544 1-815-436-5803 www.glissonarchery.com Tues.-Thurs. Noon to 8 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5/hour. Rental equipment (Indoor Range Only) $5/day. Free to organized Scout groups. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #January2014 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

February 2014 - LOCAL SKIING & TUBING FUN Funny, how a beginner skier like me, can gain a lot of confidence as the day progresses. After a couple hours of flying down the tubing hill, going backwards, forwards, and partnering with my daughters down the slope, we ventured down the bunny hill and got our ski legs back. So, as I relaxed on the quad chair lift to the top of the intermediate ski hill, I couldn’t help but look down at the four-year-old taking on the most difficult slope of mole hills and jumps, and think arrogantly, “if she can do it, I can certainly do it.” My daughters had been eye-balling the difficult slope too, so I knew it was game-time and of course, send mom down first because if SHE can do it, anybody can! So I decided to point my toes inward and take it slow. The girls followed me and once we reached the bottom, we all felt like true professionals. So with smirks on our faces, we went to the top again and headed down with a bit more speed. I caught air! I screamed a big “yahoo”, hit the next hill and flew out of my skies and tumbled. Ha! I posed no threat to the preschooler who went before me. The point of the story is whether you are a skilled snowboarder taking on the most difficult jumps or a toddler who is just beginning to ski; Villa Olivia is a great day trip adventure, without the added costs of hotels and extra gas. With tubing hills and various levels of ski hills, this is indeed a great family adventure for all ages and all levels. Take advantage of group and evening rates to save big money on this thrilling activity. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing with 100% snowmaking capability. Ski & Snowboard lessons for all levels, and rental equipment available. The hill includes seven runs, a chairlift, six rope tows, and a tubing hill. Villa Olivia, Bartlett Park District 1401 W. Lake Street, Bartlett, IL 60103 630-289-1000 www.bartlettparks.org/villa-olivia December 13th-March 2nd (weather dependent), Monday-Friday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; extended hours for holidays and days off. Prices vary depending on day/evening, equipment rental, tubing/skiing/snowboarding #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #February2014 #KidsTeens

December 2013 - FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY Soon the kids will be off of school for winter break and bouncing off the walls for a blissful two weeks. In addition, the in-laws will likely be coming to town and everyone will be packed inside your warm cozy home to share in the joy of the holidays! When you are looking for a place to escape for all to enjoy, from young cousin Billy to Grandpa Joe, head to Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center in the heart of Aurora just blocks from the Paramount Theater. Locally family owned and operated, this pizzeria offers the best of both worlds – great food and a huge playground for all ages. I was pleasantly surprised at the “real pizza” and full service bar. Yes folks, you read that correctly. Little Johnny can play in the arcade and you can enjoy a glass a wine, a mug of beer, or sip of soda while checking your email on the free WIFI. The enormous game room is separated from the eating area by a glass door/window which allows for easy conversation while the games ding a ling bling in the next room. The arcade has games as lows as a quarter and entertain the kids for hours while they earn their tickets and select their prizes. When the kids have tired of the games, send them on to the 4500 square foot, three level laser tag arena. With its many coves, caves, and columns, I couldn’t sit this one out and it was game on with adults versus kids for a 30 minute session of dodging light beams, laughing, and squealing! After the laser tag session, the kids re-entered the game room to play some air hockey and take advantage of the 10 frame mini-bowling for only $3. We are heading back over winter break to make our own pizzas! With advance reservations, anyone can call and make a date to hang out in the kitchen. At Luigi’s, you can make your own personal pizzas for only $4.50 and that includes unlimited soda! The kids couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity! We also plan on taking advantage of the $10 unlimited laser tag offered every Monday, as well as the game and pizza specials offered each Tuesday. And yes, they are open on Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Eve Day. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Family friendly pizzeria with an extensive menu, plenty of seating, and full bar service. All ages will enjoy the huge game room and multi-level laser tag arena Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center, 732 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506 Phone: (630) 896-9861 Website: www.luigispizzaandfuncenter.com Hours: Restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day; dine-in, carry-out, or delivery. Game Room and Laser Tag open at 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. weekends. Extended hours on days off of school and special hours on holidays. Prices: Games as low as $0.25. Pizza and Laser Tag specials including $10 unlimited laser tag. . #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBMiscellaneousFun #December2013 #KidsTeens

May 2013 - GAME ON! From the storefront, Fair Game appears as any other retail environment for the average shopper to purchase a new board game, but once inside you quickly get engulfed in the interactive gaming world of sitting around a table with a group of friends to play a competitive game of Word on the Street, Wits & Wagers, or Zombie Dice. Since my girls are all about the latest craze of just about anything as scene on T.V., this is the perfect place to test out new games before you buy them. The store is filled with hundreds and hundreds of games for all ages, from as young as 18 months to adults. Yes – I did say 18 months! Shelves of open boxes of cards, dice, and table top games plus extremely knowledgeable staff members make playing a new game fun and easy. I just loved not having to read line by line instructions and taking the lazy route of having someone else setup the board and just tell us how to play. With this simple luxury and walls lined with a wide variety of games - I wanted to play them all! The store was filled with people of all ages from a father and his 5 year old son who sat engrossed for hours on end, to groups of teenagers playing cards, to my girls and grandma enjoying a day off of school. My mom is typically great about going to the usual bounce towns and other over stimulating kid zones but this quiet environment of playing board games was a really nice change for us all. You can pretty much stop in any time the store is open to play a game, but Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. are dedicated to Open Gaming and ensure plenty of tables and chairs for all your friends and family members. Other days are filled with tournaments, leagues, and meet-up groups, so the store is always active. Their goal is to help everyone re-discover the joy and wonder one experiences when interacting with other people over a simple game. In our world of iPhones, X-Boxes and Wii Systems, it’s the perfect time to refocus and engage with one another. And when you find that new favorite game – you can buy it right then and there! Located in downtown Downers Grove, there are plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops nearby to make a day or night of it. Food, friends, family, and fun come together fairly easily on this adventure! OVERVIEW A retail store offering the latest and greatest board and dice games while also offering ongoing tournaments, open gaming, leagues, and meet-up gaming groups. Location: Fair Game, 5147 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 630-963-0640 Website: www.fairgamestore.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Prices: Open Gaming is free. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #May2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

August 2012 - WHITE WATER TUBING It’s August and the thrill of the pool has worn off but it’s hotter than heck and you are still looking for some cool action fun for the kids. Look no further than heading to the Marge Cline Whitewater Course in Yorkville and renting a tube or raft from the Geneva Kayak Center in Yorkville. The raft is probably the best option for parents taking younger kids, while the tube would suit kids ages 8 and older who want more independence. This is no lazy river but rather 1100 feet of turns, twists, dips, and thrills as the natural movement of the river takes your tube or raft down the course to a pebble beach. The dips are thrilling and will likely dump you right out of your tube so be prepared to swim shore side and catch your tube at the pebbled beach. The raft is the more conservative option but will still provide the thrills of a white water rafting experience while keeping you on board. You can rent the tube plus a helmet and life jacket for two hours for $10/person or you can rent a raft for up to six people for $30 for a two hour period. During your rental period you take as many laps as you would like. Once you hit the pebbled beach, you walk your tube or raft back up the concrete sidewalk to the beginning, so I would highly recommend water shoes. Remember, this is the Fox River and not a staffed lazy river. There are no lifeguards or staff on duty for your adventure. Geneva Kayak Center staff members provide great guidance tips and offer rentals of all kinds including kayaks, canoes, tubes, rafts, etc. but once you rent, you are on your own unless you pay additional for lessons or a guided tour. All rentals require a reservation so be sure to call first and ensure the equipment you want is available for the day you are arriving. There is a limited supply of children’s helmets and lifejackets but you are welcome to bring your own bike helmet or U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket to ensure a proper fit. This is one adventure I would highly recommend as it is out of the ordinary and will keep you cool in the heat of summer! Geneva Kayak Center is located at 301 E. Hydraulic Avenue in Yorkville. Phone is 630-882-9211. Website is www.genevakayak.com. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBHikingNature #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #August2012

August 2013 - VROOM, BANG, BOOM I vividly remember watching Happy Days and Fonzie’s girlfriend and fellow motorcyclist, Pinky Tuscadero desire to participate in demolition derby races. I can easily recall the heart pumping episodes where the cars crashed into each other, spurring on my personal desire to one day join a Powder Puff Demolition Derby race when I was old enough. The summer after college graduation, a group of friends and I often went to the races in Joliet and I loved the thrill of the speeds and the sheer power of the cars. Although I never made it on the track, the memories of the races still make me smile. Wanting to share this traditionally male dominated sport with my girls, we headed to Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park. With online coupons, this adventure was a cheap summer night thrill. We each picked out a favorite – mine of course was a pink and white car which reminded me of the infamous Pinky herself, Tessa selected anything with the number 3 on it, and Marisa cheered on the Care Bear inspired station wagon. It was loud – it was wild – and it was fun! Friday nights are demolition night but the demolition portion is not held until the very end, so be prepared for a late night as the banging and booming does not begin until after 10 p.m. But given the slippery track the night we attended, we actually saw a few hit the concrete walls during time trials earlier in the evening. Outside of the race track, the kids have the opportunity to meet racers and take a seat in the driver’s seat of their famed cars. Special kid events, such as Free Hayrides and a Poster Contest on August 3rd, are held throughout the season as well. I was surprised at how overall kid friendly the racetrack can be and how most attendees were families with children. The parking lot fills quickly, so I recommend arriving sooner than later, and be careful not to position your car to get sandwiched in (as we were lucky enough to do). When we arrived at 7ish, the lines were manageable, but as the time got closer to 8 p.m., the lines extended about 35 people deep. The bleachers were filled, the energy was high, and the adventure left two little girls asking, “Would you let us do that?!” OVERVIEW Entertainment for all ages including demolition derby races and stock car racing including late models, super late models, powder puffs, spectator and compact racing, Figure 8, and one on one drags. Also special kid events hosted throughout the season. Location: Sycamore Speedway, 50W086 Old State Road, Maple Park, IL 60151 Phone: 815-895-5454 Website: www.sycamorespeedway.com Hours: Fridays and Saturdays; Gates Open 6 p.m.; Time Trials 7:15 p.m.; Races 8 p.m. Prices: Cash Only. Free Ages Under 6; $5 Ages 6-13; $12 Ages 14 & Up #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #August2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #MBBSportsRecreation

December 2012 - TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR I can vividly recall the looks on the playgroup moms faces when I told them I booked an outing for us to take our twenty toddlers and preschoolers to the local planetarium for a family showing of George & Oatmeal Save Santa. I have seen the look many times over the years when I suggest new adventures for our group. The look that needs no words but clearly says, “Have you lost your mind!” I was certain that a group of educators who are trained to work with children would not let me down. We proceeded to file into our theater seats, in the rounded dome at Waubonsie Valley High School, with our rambunctious and energetic children and waited for the show to begin. As soon as the lights went dark and the dome above us filled with stars, it was silent for the next 30 minutes as the kids watched Santa being saved! This is one of the 7 monthly Family Nights offered at the school’s planetarium. The events run from October through April and offer a different theme night each month. October was Early Manned Space flights, November was Planets, and December offers a holiday show for the seasons with George & Oatmeal Saving Santa. November brings Native American Sky Stories of images and stories created out of stars, while February shares the Curiosity of Mars. In March you can go Constellation Hopping and April hosts Summer Stargazing inside for the first hour and a telescope party afterwards outside. Enjoy an experience like no other using telescopes setup by the Naperville Astronomical Association (weather permitting). Every event is geared to a family atmosphere and is first-come, first serve. Although yes, these are educational and perhaps less active adventures than I typically write about – the glow of the bright stars in the dark planetarium engage your senses and the music and audio enhance the visual experience for everyone – even those little tikes that usually have trouble sitting still. At $2 per seat, even the largest family can enjoy the evening out. Each session typically lasts approximately one hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., except for the April event which begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. if you choose to attend the telescope party as well. Events are not just for families – everyone is welcome to attend any show. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW The WVHS Planetarium 2590 Ogden Avenue Aurora, IL 60504 630-375-3247 planetarium.ipsd.org Hours: 7 p.m. Showtime Prices: $2 per seat, Small children on laps are free Description: Family nights are a monthly program at the high school planetarium with varying theme nights. You will never see the same program twice! #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #December2012 #KidsTeens

March 2012 - BUILD AND GROW With home improvements on the forefront this month, our next adventure took us to the local home improvement stores for some free and fun activities. Area home improvements stores offer free clinics for kids to learn tool safety, teach children do-it- yourself skills, while building self-esteem and confidence. This is one activity that can be done locally or across the country at Grandma’s house, because it is available at both stores, nationwide. The Kids Workshop at Home Depot offers free clinics the first Saturday of every month and is open to children ages 5-12 years old, between the hours of 9 a.m. and Noon. All kids receive an apron, a certificate of completion, and commemorative pin. Each child will receive a Do It Yourself kit for the featured project of the week and will take their finished project home at the end of the workshop. Projects for the past few months have included, Making a Savings Shed, and building a Keepsake Box. For complete details about Kids Workshops, visit http://www.homeimproverclub.com/kidsworkshops.aspx. We recently participated in the Build and Grow Clinic at Lowe’s. Each child is also given an apron and certification, as well as goggles and a completion patch that can be sewn onto the apron similar to earning scouting patches. The wooden project kits are available for all children. They do not have an age limit but recommend their projects for children in 1st through 5th grades. Hammering the nails was slightly challenging for my 9 and 10 year daughters but with persistence, they completed the projects independently. They each made a Science Lab Kit and brought home three test tubes and index cards with a variety of easy science projects. It was great to have the activity keep going for weeks to come with new science projects each day and the personal pride of knowing they built the stand themselves. Lowe’s Build and Grow clinics are offered two Saturdays per month at 10 a.m. and complete details can be found at www.lowesbuildandgrow.com. Recent projects included Build-a-Saurus and Build-a-Castle. There is high demand for these workshops, so I would recommend registering early for the convenience of participating at your nearest home improvement store. Happy building! – Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #March2012