Hawthorn Mall Unveils Summer 2019 Kids Club Activities, Events

VERNON HILLS, IL — Hawthorn Mall announced Thursday its lineup of kids club activities for summer 2019. According to a release, the mall's summer activities begin May 24 and run through July 19.

The mall's kids club is called "Saplings," and parents can join online for free, as it's offered to parents, and children ages 2 through 8. Parents can also sign up in the mall management office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting the Saplings cart on the Lower Level at Center Court. According to a release, membership grants you access to discounts at participating stores.

Families must be members of the Saplings kids club to attend the following events, all free of charge, and take place from 11 a.m. to noon on their respective dates, according to a release:

• May 24th - Spring Has Sprung: Saplings kids will get together in the reading section at Barbara’s Bookstore for stories about springtime and gardening, then plant spring flowers they can take home with them.
• June 7th - Bubble Show: During this high-energy Saplings kids program, which takes place on the Lower Level near Yu Kids Island, children will learn all the wonderful tricks that can be performed with bubbles, including beautiful fire bubbles, magical smoky bubbles, square bubbles, bubble rainbows, bubble snakes, bubble donuts, HUGE bubbles, and more. The 45-minute performance combines incredible bubble-filled visuals with an interactive format that involves the audience from start to finish. This event, which includes snacks, costs $5 per child. Parents must register children to attend in advance.
• June 15th - The Big Idea Show: The WTTW BIG IDEA Traveling Lab will visit Hawthorn Mall during this Saplings kids event which takes place on the Lower Level near Yu Kids Island. Hosted by the WTTW Kids Lab Guys, the program encourages children ages 2 to 7 to discover their own big ideas by wondering, watching and learning. During the event, there will also be guest appearances by Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
• June 21st - Puppet Show: At this Saplings kids event, children will enjoy a puppet show hosted by a carnival puppeteer at Barbara’s Bookstore. Following the performance and snack-time, children will be invited to make their own carnival ornaments.-July 5th: Celebrate America: Saplings kids will continue their Fourth of July and summer celebrations at Barbara’s Bookstore as they enjoy story time, snacks and making their own Americana hats.-July 19th: 3D Art: Saplings kids will learn to make their wn 3D art boxes from a shoe box diagram while listening to a story at Barbara’s Bookstore.
• August 3rd - The Big Idea Show: The WTTW BIG IDEA Traveling Lab, Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog will once again visit Hawthorn Mall during this Saplings kids event; see the June 15th event above for details.

“Parents love bringing their kids to Hawthorn Mall because we have a wide array of immersive, hands-on children’s experiences that are both entertaining and educational,” says Jenna Velelekos, Marketing Manager, Hawthorn Mall, in a release sent to Patch. “Kids clubs encourage parents and their children to spend quality time together in interactive activities, and at Hawthorn, our Saplings kids program also provides parents with special family-centric offers and discounts as well as advance notice about fun events taking place at the mall.”

According to Hawthorn Mall’s owner, Centennial, a real estate investment firm with a national portfolio of shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, the most compelling reason for people to visit malls today is to engage in a variety of activities that allow them to connect with one another in very meaningful and personal ways. At Hawthorn Mall and other Centennial properties, kids clubs are moving toward newer, more engaging events that provide these kinds of stimulating and interactive experiences, according to a release.

More information: Saplings kids programs and shophawthornmall.com/kids-club/