January Programs Spotlight Creativity and Learning at DuPage Children's Museum

Check out the January 2015 programs at the DuPage Children’s Museum. Studio Drop-ins, Storytimes, Third Thursday, and other events listed are free for Museum members and/or with Museum admission, and no pre-registration is required. Creativity Classes and Camps require pre-registration and separate fees. To register for classes or camps or to arrange accommodations for special needs, call 630-637-8000, ext. 0 or register online by visiting the Museum’s website at www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org.

Thursday, Jan. 1

Museum Closed

The Museum is closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 in observance of the New Year holiday.

Friday, Jan. 2, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime in the Family Resource Center

Enjoy an interactive story hour with DCM’s very own Ben Webber. Ben uses his performing arts talents to engage children in stories that are fun and entertaining for the entire family! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Friday, Jan. 2, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Family Fun Friday Night: The Conceptual Art of Sol Lewitt, Creativity Studio

Artist Sol LeWitt wrote a set of directions to create a large wall drawing. Different interpretations led to very different-looking pieces of art. We’ll provide the directions and you will create the art… will everyone’s work look the same? Family Fun Friday Nights are designed to give busy families the opportunity to enjoy extended hours on Friday evenings. The Museum is open until 8:00 p.m., with a special performance or activity on most Friday nights.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Sewing Sundays

Join us in the Studio to learn how to make basic sewing stitches to create your own potpourri pillow. We provide all materials and artists can select dried flowers and herbs to fill their pillows. Materials fee: $3.00. Sewing Sundays programs are offered on the first Sunday of the month to share simple sewing techniques with visitors and guests. Sewing teaches kids about math, science, and technology while allowing them to create original works of art.

Monday, Jan. 5, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Extended Museum Hours

The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5.

Monday, Jan. 5, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Messy Mondays: My First Monoprint

Learn how to make a unique print by painting on plexiglass. Use tempera paints, brushes, rollers, combs, and Q-tips to make a variety of marks. Transfer the images to paper, by using hands or wooden spoons. Messy Mondays are about digging into hands-on art experiences that can get hands a little dirty. Revel in exploring texture, colors, and materials while developing motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Please dress for messy experiences; smocks are provided and all art materials are washable. Free with Museum membership or admission.

Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 11, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Creativity Studio Drop-in: How Artists See the Weather

What is your impression, or idea, of the weather today? Using watercolor paint and crayons draw your interpretation of the day. Check the website to view a weekly schedule of alternating math-, science-, and art-focused activities in the Museum’s Creativity Studio.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

S.M.A.R.T. Series: Explore, Create, Learn in the S.M.A.R.T. Café – NEW!

Start the day with books and activities that focus on healthy foods and lifestyles through art, math, science, and literacy explorations. Sessions start with a book followed by open-ended projects for all ages. See website calendar for weekly program details. Free with Museum admission, but ticket required; see Visitor Services for ticket. Enjoy discounted coffee for $0.50 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime with Naperville Public Library

Naperville Public Library has taken its show on the road! Enjoy a fun-filled library program of stories, songs, and more for children of all ages right here at DCM! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Creativity Class: All About Shape (Ages 15-24 months)

Explore geometric shapes through patterns, stamping, and collage. Develop gross and fine motor skills with the use of scissors, brushes, and your hands! Member/child partner $14; Nonmember/child partner $20. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Friday, Jan. 9 – Feb. 27, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

Little Wing Duet Music Class At DuPage Children’s Museum (Ages 2-3)

Together we will learn the fundamentals of music through rhythmic recognition and tonal processing through loved rock music! Eight-week class session. Member/child partner $136; Nonmember/child partner $184. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Friday, Jan. 9 – Feb. 27, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Little Wing Music Class At DuPage Children’s Museum (Ages 4-5)

Little Wing is all about enabling creativity and confidence. Little artists explore rhythm patterns, tonal processing, basic music syntax and make emotional connections to great music. Eight-week class session. Member $160; Nonmember $200. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Friday, Jan. 9, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime in the Family Resource Center

Enjoy an interactive story hour with DCM’s very own Ben Webber. Ben uses his performing arts talents to engage children in stories that are fun and entertaining for the entire family! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Friday, Jan. 9, 6:00 & 6:45 p.m.

Family Fun Friday Night: Weber Irish Dance

Jigs, reels, infectious energy, rousing music, and flying feet bring the lively culture of Ireland to the Museum. Enjoy the performance and try some simple moves yourself. Family Fun Friday Nights are designed to give busy families the opportunity to enjoy extended hours on Friday evenings. The

Museum is open until 8:00 p.m., with a special performance or activity on most Friday nights.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Tiny Great Performances™: Customs Around the World, National Association for the Arts Marionettes

Join a marionette cast in an interactive, cabaret performance that introduces customs from around the world. Discover the magic of live performance at DuPage Children’s Museum! Tiny Great Performances™ are free with Museum membership or admission.

Monday, Jan. 12, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Messy Mondays: Mixing Colors PAINT!

Use tempera and watercolor paint to learn about color mixing and primary and secondary colors. Listen to the book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Messy Mondays are about digging into hands-on art experiences that can get hands a little dirty. Revel in exploring texture, colors, and materials while developing motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Please dress for messy experiences; smocks are provided and all art materials are washable. Free with Museum membership or admission.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

Creativity Class: Cool Winter Art (Ages 2-4 years)

Create a blizzard of art! Sculpt with snow, paint with ice, and watch it melt when shaken with salt and paint. Member/child partner $17; Nonmember/child partner $23. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

S.M.A.R.T. Series: Explore, Create, Learn in the S.M.A.R.T. Café – NEW!

Start the day with books and activities that focus on healthy foods and lifestyles through art, math, science, and literacy explorations. Sessions start with a book followed by open-ended projects for all ages. See website calendar for weekly program details. Free with Museum admission, but ticket required; see Visitor Services for ticket. Enjoy discounted coffee for $0.50 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 13 – Saturday, Jan. 17, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 18, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Creativity Studio Drop-in: First Impression of Weather

Snow can be like clay. You can press objects into its smooth surface and then see the shape, or impression. Using white dough, create snow-like art by pressing designs into the surface using a variety of shaping tools and rollers. Celebrate the cold by glazing a pottery bowl or mug for hot soup or cocoa! Fee for materials supports educational programs. Check the website to view a weekly schedule of alternating math-, science-, and art-focused activities in the Museum’s Creativity Studio.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

DuPage Children’s Museum Professional Development Series: Math for Preschoolers

Through discussion and hands-on activities, this workshop will reinforce the importance of patterning, classifying, number sense, and counting for preschoolers as natural mathematicians. Practical hands-on ideas for implementation of these concepts in the classroom or home setting will be presented. DuPage Children’s Museum presents hands-on and inquiry-based Professional Development sessions for early learning professionals and parents. Two CEU’s or two in-service hours will be awarded. Fee is $30 per person. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Insect Zoo by Anderson Pest Solutions

Have you ever wanted to get nose-to-nose with a praying mantis? Pet a giant pumpkin millipede as long as your hand? See how far a giant lubber grasshopper can jump? The experts from Anderson Pest Solutions will introduce children to nature’s most interesting bugs. Find out how, as nature’s recyclers, these insects contribute to our environment. Open to all ages.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Creativity Class: Knead Your Feelings (Ages 4-6)

XOXO Related Program. Enhance feelings and memories with the use of warm dough, cool slime, and hard clay. Music and items that inspire emotion will fill our time. Member/child partner $17; Nonmember/child partner $23. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Make Way for Music

DCM volunteer Nancy Culp brings her guitar and love for music to DCM’s Family Resource Center. Join us for an enjoyable and “just right for children” introduction to music and musical concepts! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Thursday, Jan. 15, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Third Thursday

Third Thursday is a time designated for families of children with special needs to enjoy the Museum. DCM is an ideal location for all learning abilities. Special activities last until 7:00 p.m. All activities are free with admission or membership. The Museum is open to the public until 8:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

Friday, Jan. 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

School’s Out Camp: Fun With Chemistry, Grades 1 – 5

How do airplanes stay in the air? Come discover that answer and have fun with other kinds of flight as we investigate airplanes, hovercrafts, and even space travel. Member $70; Nonmember $85. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Friday, Jan. 16, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime in the Family Resource Center

Enjoy an interactive story hour with DCM’s very own Ben Webber. Ben uses his performing arts talents to engage children in stories that are fun and entertaining for the entire family! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Friday, Jan. 16, 6:00 & 6:45 p.m.

Family Fun Friday Night: PM Music Center

Violin, viola, and cello music fill the air as students of PM Music Center demonstrate their growing skills. Enjoy the performance and try some simple moves yourself. Family Fun Friday Nights are designed to give busy families the opportunity to enjoy extended hours on Friday evenings. The Museum is open until 8:00 p.m., with a special performance or activity on most Friday nights.

Monday, Jan. 19, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Extended Museum Hours

The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19.

Monday, Jan. 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Camp Open House

Meet DCM Staff, see exhibits, and explore weekly themes for Spring Break Mini Camps and all Summer Camps - including Preschool Summer Camps, Grade School Summer Camps, and Play-Well LEGO-Inspired Programs for Kids K-8. You can also sign up for School’s Out Camps. Free admission to the open house; does not apply to Museum admission

Monday, Jan. 19, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Messy Mondays: Draw Your Make Believe

Create your own drawings and narratives on large white paper. Your story will culminate into a super-sized book. Enjoy the story Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Messy Mondays are about digging into hands-on art experiences that can get hands a little dirty. Revel in exploring texture, colors, and materials while developing motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Please dress for messy experiences; smocks are provided and all art materials are washable. Free with Museum membership or admission.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

S.M.A.R.T. Series: Explore, Create, Learn in the S.M.A.R.T. Café – NEW!

Start the day with books and activities that focus on healthy foods and lifestyles through art, math, science, and literacy explorations. Sessions start with a book followed by open-ended projects for all ages. See website calendar for weekly program details. Free with Museum admission, but ticket required; see Visitor Services for ticket. Enjoy discounted coffee for $0.50 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 25, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Creativity Studio Drop-in: Ezra Jack Keats: A Snowy Day

The Studio is inspired by the artistic work of Ezra Jack Keats. Visitors will use collage and drawing techniques to create their own impression of a snowy day. Check the website to view a weekly schedule of alternating math-, science-, and art-focused activities in the Museum’s Creativity Studio.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime with Naperville Public Library

Naperville Public Library has taken its show on the road! Enjoy a fun-filled library program of stories, songs, and more for children of all ages right here at DCM! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Friday, Jan. 23, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime in the Family Resource Center

Enjoy an interactive story hour with DCM’s very own Ben Webber. Ben uses his performing arts talents to engage children in stories that are fun and entertaining for the entire family! Free with Museum membership or admission.

Friday, Jan. 23, 6:00 p.m.

Family Fun Friday Night: Good Show! Gallery Opening

Student artists from Bristol Bay Elementary School in Yorkville, Illinois will be on hand to debut their original artwork based on the Math Playground theme. The Good Show! Gallery program is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank. Family Fun Friday Nights are designed to give busy families the opportunity to enjoy extended hours on Friday evenings. The Museum is open until 8:00 p.m., with a special performance or activity on most Friday nights.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m.

Tiny Great Performances™: Carol Weston & The American Song Bag

Chicago music favorite Carol Weston takes children through The American Song Bag. Everyone participates as we sing and swing through traditional children’s favorites, songs from Appalachia, colonial times, and Broadway show tunes. Discover the magic of live performance at DuPage Children’s Museum! Tiny Great Performances™ are free with Museum membership or admission.

Sunday, Jan. 25, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Artist in the Studio at DCM, John Preus, Creating an Amplified Instrument

Using simple microphones and circuitry, John will turn an ordinary piece of wood into an instrument that may be played. Demystify electricity and amplification while discovering how a basic electric guitar is made.

Monday, Jan. 26, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Messy Mondays: The Shape We’re In

Examine stars, squares, circles, and more in this art experience that celebrates shape. Focus your work on the shapes in trains, people, and buildings while thinking about the book Bear in a Square by Stella Blackstone. Messy Mondays are about digging into hands-on art experiences that can get hands a little dirty. Revel in exploring texture, colors, and materials while developing motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Please dress for messy experiences; smocks are provided and all art materials are washable. Free with Museum membership or admission.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

Creativity Class: Math Symmetry (Ages 2-4 years)

Butterflies, buildings, and snowflakes are ways that the world of math seems real to children. Use paint and printing as a starting point to future skills. Member/child partner $17; Nonmember/child partner $23. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

S.M.A.R.T. Series: Explore, Create, Learn in the S.M.A.R.T. Café – NEW!

Start the day with books and activities that focus on healthy foods and lifestyles through art, math, science, and literacy explorations. Sessions start with a book followed by open-ended projects for all ages. See website calendar for weekly program details. Free with Museum admission, but ticket required; see Visitor Services for ticket. Enjoy discounted coffee for $0.50 from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 – Saturday, Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m. – Noon and 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 1, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Creativity Studio Drop-in: Tracks in Winter: A Field Guide

We see our own boot prints in mud and snow, just like the prints of squirrels, birds, and dogs. Create a catalogue of prints you might see on a daily walk using rubber stamps. Check the website to view a weekly schedule of alternating math-, science-, and art-focused activities in the Museum’s Creativity Studio.

Friday, Jan. 30, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Storytime in the Family Resource Center

Enjoy an interactive story hour with DCM