Wednesday Weekend Windup {Butterflies, Meltfest, Dinos, Orchids and More}

Weekend Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs March 23-24, 2019

Happy Spring! Are you excited about the first weekend of spring? Some of you may be on the road. For those of you in the area, check out these fun events in the Chicago suburbs. If you haven't checked out the Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic, this weekend is the last weekend to visit!

Ongoing:

• January 26-April 7 Chagall for Children, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 14 interactive exhibits encouraging you to insert yourself into Chagall's work, there are special sensory-friendly hours, the exhibit is free and great for kids ages 2-12, take a peek: https://www.alittletimeandakeyboard.com/2019/01/chagall-for-children.html
• February 9-March 24 The Orchid Show, Chicago Botanic Garden, see post for more info
• March 1-22 Virtual Bauhaus, Elmhurst Art Museum, using VR glasses, visitors are students touring the iconic Dessau Bauhaus exploring its architecture, education, design and products. Bauhaus' goal was to harness modern tech to make life better for everyone. The experience is free with admission, see website for more info and open times.
• Maple Sugaring: March 14-18, March 21-25, March 28-30, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 1PM-4PM, try your hand at tapping with tools from the 1890's, watch maple sugar thicken, taste real maple syrup, free
• March 18-April 13 Barrington Shoppers Egg Hunt -- find eggs hidden throughout Barrington
• March 23 - June 2 Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory, Rockford, go early as space is limited, adults $6 (Resident), $8 (Non-Resident), senior $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), Veterans $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), ages 5-17 $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident). ages 3-4 $2 (Resident), $3 (Non-Resident), ages 2 and under free ($4 admission on Tropical Tuesdays), enjoy butterflies flying around in a tropical setting without leaving the Midwest!

Saturday, March 23:

• March 23-24 ESCONI Gem and Mineral Show, DuPage County Fair Grounds, Wheaton, 10AM-5PM Sat, 10AM-4PM Sun, free, demos, kids corner, geode splitting and more
• March 23 Rockford Meltfest, 10AM-9:30PM, live music, ice skating, crafts, entertainment, 5k and kids 5k and more
• March 23 Farmhouse Museum Tours, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 10AM-3PM, tours on the hour, blacksmithing demo at 1:30, free, maple sugaring 1PM-4PM
• March 23 Extreme Block Party and Taste of the Towns, Doubletree, Mundelein, 10AM-3PM, vendors, shop local, free food, raffles, world of reptile show at 11:30AM, free
• March 23 Dino Discoveries, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 2PM-2:55PM, ages 4 and up, $5 pp(members free), reservations recommended, see fossils as well as live animals to help you learn about dinosaurs

Sunday, March 24:

• March 24 Go Fly a Kite Workshop, Trailside, River Forest, 1PM, learn about wind energy, make a kite, for ages 6-2nd grade w/ adult, $5 pp, must register by March 22: 708-366-6530.
• March 24 Spring Awakening, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 1PM, springtime hike to learn about animals awakening from hibernation, birds returning home, flowers sprouting and more, free
• March 24 Farmhouse Museum Tours, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 10AM-3PM, tours on the hour, free, maple sugaring 1PM-4PM

Unearth Science Festival at Chicago Botanic Garden Encourages Science Exploration April 13-14, 2019

Unearth Science Festival Provides Hands-on Garden Science Learning for Families

**Disclosure: Chicago Botanic Garden did provide me with free parking for one family to give away. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Spring is here and all sorts of plants and animals are waking up from slumber for a busy season ahead. With the nature's wonders unfolding before our eyes, this is the perfect time for Chicago Botanic Garden's Unearth Science Festival. The two day family festival features a large range of hands-on science experiences and workshops as well as a presentation by Tom Skilling on climate change and The Guardians documentary discussing the interwoven lives of monarch butterflies and an indigenous community in Mexico.

Auditions for 7th-12th Graders for Little Shop of Horrors and Insight from Stacey Flaster

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Auditions for 7th-12th Graders for Little Shop of Horrors Performance Camp

The Performer's School in Highwood, IL announced a casting call for their upcoming July Performance Camp of Little Shop of Horrors and your favorite 7th-12th grade actor is invited to try out during auditions on April 9, 2019. Little Shop of Horrors will run in Skokie July 26-28. 

RAM 10th Annual International PEEPS Art Competition

Racine Art Museum 10th Annual International PEEPS Art Competition

PEEPS add such whimsy and frivolity for adults and children alike during springtime! If you are up for a bit of a road trip, the Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin celebrates PEEPS with a special community exhibit each spring. This year's 10th Annual International PEEPS Art Competition runs April 11-28, 2019. For this exhibit, the community is not only invited to visit but also contribute. Who can skip on this fun?

Wednesday Weekend Windup {St. Patrick's Day, Maple Tapping, Stargazing and More}

St. Patrick's Day and More Weekend Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

We have a mighty special weekend ahead indeed! There are plenty of St. Patrick's Day and Maple Tapping Events this weekend! There is plenty of other fun as well! Here are my picks for family fun in the Chicago suburbs this weekend:

2019 Native Plant Sales in the Chicago Suburbs

Chicago Suburban Native Plant Sales 2019

Native Plant Sales in the Chicago area are around the corner. There are opportunities to order your plants early to ensure you receive the plants you are looking for to attract native butterflies, birds and bees to your yard. I put together a list of local sales to help with your garden planning.

First Division Museum of Cantigny Park: Learning the History of The Big Red One

First Division Museum of Cantigny Park: Learning the History of The Big Red One

The Army's 1st Infantry Division or The Big Red One was the first Army division to deploy and engage in WWI, WWII and Vietnam. The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois takes visitors through the history of the First Division using a multimedia experience including artifacts, video, sound, virtual reality and more. My father served in the 1st Infantry Division during Vietnam, so we feel a particular connection to the museum. The museum was recently enhanced with new exhibits in 2017 that increase engagement and add more stories of the division. The museum does an excellent job of unfolding First Division history for a variety of ages.

Elding Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland

Elding Puffin Watching Tour in Reykjavik, Iceland

From Reykjavik, you can take a tour by boat to view puffins on one of the harbor's rocky islands. Before we embarked, I did not know quite what to expect.  Would we just see a few specks? Soon after departing, I would be enthralled by all of the puffins flying about the island.