DuPage Children's Museum Gets Taste of Chicago Theater Production

Cast of 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day' previews songs for audience last week.

DuPage Children's Museum visitors received a special musical preview of Emerald City Theatre’s production of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day on March 20. Cast members from the theatre performed a selection of songs and dances straight from the production, which is now playing at the Apollo Theater in Chicago. “We always strive to add value to our members’ and visitors’ experience and bringing in the cast from this Chicago-based production is just one way to do that,” said Alison Segebarth, Director of Marketing and Membership at DuPage Children's Museum in a press release. “The Museum has always been a supporter of the arts and is happy to make theater more accessible to our audience through this opportunity.” …

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DuPage Children's Museum Receives Grant

The grant funds will help the museum expand its Play to Learn program.

The DuPage Children's Museum was one of 31 not-for-profit organizations in DuPage County to receive a grant from the 2011 Fall Discretionary Grant Cycle of The DuPage Community Foundation based in Wheaton.  The $7,500 grant, awarded at a special distribution open house on Wednesday, December 7 at the Foundation offices, will help support the expansion of the Play to Learn program. The program brings the Museum’s portable interactive exhibits and open-ended activities to early childhood programs for low-income families to encourage parent-child learning partnerships and school readiness for young children. Grant funding will help to expand the number of different sites the program will be offered in the community.  “One of the key …

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Anonymous Donor Presents Children's Museum with an Early Christmas Gift

The museum has until Dec. 31 to match an anonymous donor's gift.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and to give. While the giving is always good, getting can be better. Officials at the DuPage Children’s Museum know how good getting can be. The museum is the recipient of an early holiday present. An anonymous donor has offered to match up to $15,000 in donations that the museum receives by Dec. 31. So before they can ring in the New Year, the museum's officials are seeking out others in the community with the giving feeling. The nonprofit relies on donors for about 40 percent of its funds, according to the DuPage Children’s Museum. “Fundraising can be a challenge in our uncertain economy, and we are so grateful for the generosity of this donor,” Rosie Sajak, DuPage Children's Museum Director of Institutional …

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Early Warning: Save Some Cash and Reserve for Bubble Bash

Families who plan to attend the family-friendly New Year's Eve event are encouraged to make reservations early.

The event sells out every year. The bubbles flow and the partygoers cheer in the New Year. And, though Halloween was over only a few days ago, it’s time to start planning for New Year’s Eve. Families who plan to attend the DuPage Children’s Museum’s Bubble Bash! are encouraged to make reservations now because the annual event is always a sell out, according to officials. Attendees who book early will get a $5 discount per person. To get the discount reservations must be made by Nov. 30. “Bubble Bash is an event our members and visitors look forward to every year,” Sue Broad, DuPage Children's Museum Executive Director said in a news release. “In the rush of the holiday season, it is important to take time out to enjoy family, celebrate the…

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Weekend Grab Bag: Ghost Stories, Fall Festival and Dick Tracy's 80th Birthday

Don't waste the weekend. Get out and around Naperville and see what is happening.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend, which means there is no reason to stay locked inside. Best to enjoy the beautiful days while they are here. This weekend there are events galore around Naperville and something for everyone to enjoy, from dining out for a good cause to music perfect for the kids. What are you planning? Whatever you do, here are a few ideas from our calendar. And, remember you can share events and announcements on Naperville Patch anytime, we are open for business 24/7/365! The scoop: The students from the School of Rock will be putting on a show including music from two of the greatest rock bands of all time. Pull up a seat, enjoy some food and apps but don’t get too comfortably numb. Inside info: The …

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FIve Things You Need to Know Today

July 7: Tennis Tournament, Video Contest and Paving a New Future

Naperville Patch gives you the run down on what you need to know today.

Food for thought In her latest blog, Momma Cuisine writer Johanna Cook shares tips for stocking a pantry ready to prepare any Mexican dish. Museum video contest The DuPage Children’s Museum is holding a video contest and entrants who submit an approved video will receive a family pass. The winners will win a one-year family membership.  Tennis anyone? The Naperville Park District is seeking registrants for its All-City Junior Tennis Tournament, which will be held July 25-27. Age categories range from 10 and under to 18 years. Help Naperville Public Library win books The Naperville Public Library is asking for the public’s help in a new online contest. The library is hoping to win $10,000 worth of books from Random House. Residents asked to…

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DuPage Children's Museum Celebrates 'Golden' Birthday

Museum turns 24 on the 24th.

The DuPage Children's Museum marked a special milestone on Friday, celebrating its "Golden Birthday" by turning 24 years old on June 24th. Visitors of the museum received the special present of  $2.40 admission, about $6 off the normal entry fee. "We are thrilled to be celebrating our 24th birthday on the 24th with this  event," said Sue Broad, executive director of the DuPage Children's Museum. "We are looking forward to all the wonderful things we can do in Naperville and look forward to our next steps." Carrie Blazowski of Joliet, was pleasantly surprised when they showed up at the museum and recieved the special admission rate. "This is our first time to the museum," Blazowski said. "It wasn't a good day to be outside so we thought we …

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Mom's Eye View

Time for Some New Summer Fun

This mom plans to mix it up a bit this summer.

I’m a list maker. To do lists. Grocery lists. Chore lists. Packing lists. Honey do lists. I find it satisfying to write something down, accomplish it and cross it off. There is one kind of list I have yet to make -- a bucket list. When I saw Patch offered recommendations for summer, I got to thinking about all the things to do in and around Naperville that I haven’t yet tried. There are so many fun offerings that it is easy to stick to the same things. We love the parks, the Morton Arboretum, the Riverwalk, the librairies, the DuPage Children’s Museum and our neighborhood pool. But sometimes it’s good to mix it up. Even though we’ve lived here for more than a decade and the kids have gone on several school field trips there, I’ve never …

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Get Out: Food, Family and Fido

A few options for ways to spend your weekend.

For the next three days we are here to offer some ideas and options. This is a holiday weekend, so we are certain you have plans for more than a little R&R. We’ve been offering a weekend guide since our launch back in September. This weekend we are trying a new format to try and better meet your needs. Here are our picks for five things to do this weekend in Naperville. Saturday the discs and dogs will be flying at the Naperville Riverwalk for the Windy City K-9 Disc Club’s dog-disc championship. Bring the family and don’t leave Fido at home. Sign him up to compete.  Just a reminder that the DuPage Children’s Museum will soon be switching to its summer hours starting May 31. A new gallery exhibit at the museum features the works over area …

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Get Out: Pancakes, Fun Run and Burt Reynolds

The weekly rundown on events you don't want to miss.

Don’t let the thought of Friday get you down, even though the taxman has come to call. Think of all the fun you can have once the work is done. And, fun will be had this weekend. Depend upon it! Parents reconnect with the kids on this special evening opening of the museum. Play in the bubbles. Enjoy the artwork. Leave the cell at home and have fun with the tots. Last weekend the Naper Elementary School hosted an event for adults. This clothing sale at Highland Elementary School focuses on the kids. We know how quickly they grow out of those clothes, so why not find new, kindly used things for a lower price. Find out how to make your home healthier from Myron Wentz an alumnus of North Central College and his son Dave Wentz. The pair is on a…

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