Community Corner

Your Guide to Summer 2013 at Oak Lawn Children's Museum

School's out. The pool is packed. The playground is swarming. Your kids want something new. If you're looking for an alternative to the sweltering outdoors, check out the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. Its Once Upon a Time program, along with many other summer activities, is sure to keep kids happy and keep you cool.

The museum is open from 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday to Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed on Monday. General admission is not included in prices listed below.

Story Time
When: Tuesdays - Fridays, 11 a.m.
Price: Free
No registration required
Once upon a time takes on a whole new meaning at the Children's Museum. Museum staff dresses up and reads classic fairy tales to children. On Wednesdays, the museum also has Story Time and Songs following regular Story Time.

Who Are You? Face Painting Contest
When: Every other Tuesday (July 2, July 16, July 30, Aug. 13), 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Price: $5 (member), $3 (non-member)
Pre-registration: Required (call 708-423-6709, ext. 206)
Participants will create a face painting creation. Parents may be asked to model. The winner receives a prize, and the artist and model must be available after the contest for a photo.

Camp Crafts
When: Every other Tuesday (July 9, July 23, Aug. 6)
Price: $5
Pre-registration: Recommended (call 708-423-6709, ext. 206)
Join intern Lauren as she helps adults and children craft a wooden pirate ship (July 9), stamp a leather bracelet (July 23) and weave a basket (Aug. 6) together.

Mad as a Hatter Contest
When: Every other Wednesday (July 10, July 24 and Aug. 7), 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Price: $5 (non-member), $3 (member)
Pre-registration: Required (call 708-423-6709, ext. 206)
Participants will design their own "mad tea party" top hats. The winner receives a prize and will participate in a Mad Hatter Runway Finale at the Fall Fun Fest on Saturday, October 5.

Nano Science
When: Thursdays, 10 a.m.
Price: Free
No registration required
Join the museum for hands-on experiments in the "science of teeny tiny things."

ArtsyGood
When: Thursdays, 4:00 p.m.
Price: Free
Pre-registration: Recommended (call 708-423-6709, ext. 206)
Participants use materials provided to create an "earth-friendly masterpiece." Artwork is then added to the ArtsyGood fundraising website in mid-August where donors can purchase prints of the works. Finally, the art is displayed at an Art Gallery Showing on Friday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. to which all artists and a guest are invited.

Fire Fighter Fridays
When: Fridays, 10:30 a.m.
Price: Free
No registration required
The Oak Lawn Fire Department reads stories, does show-and-tell and gives safety tips.

Make and Take Crafts
When: Fridays, 2 p.m.
Price: Free
Pre-registration: Recommended (call 708-423-6709, ext. 206)
Join the museum staff for its summer series of simple take-home crafts.


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