Easter Egg Hunts, Brunches with the Bunny and More Spring Events

Easter is egg-ceptionally (ha, ha) late this year, so let’s hope the weather is nice and warm for the egg hunts, brunches and other events listed below. I’ve included some other special spring events (kite flying in Wheaton!) that you’ll likely want to consider putting on your calendar, too.

Photo by vanherdehaage on Flickr.The events you need to register in advance for are listed first – if you are indeed interested in these, register soon, because the popular ones fill up fast. Some events (like Cantigny’s brunch with the Easter bunny) are already sold out. I’ll keep updating this list over coming weeks, but of course suggestions are always welcome!

Don't forget your cameras -- or your baskets!

REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR:

The St. Charles Park District has a Breakfast With the Easter Bunny scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, at 9 a.m. at the Pottawatomie Community Center. Children ages 1 through 6 will decorate their own bunny-face pancake, color bunny picures, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and end with a Bunny Hop. You must register in advance. Resident children and adults are $9; non-residents are $13.50.

The Geneva Park District will hold its Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16, outside the Stephen Persinger Recreation Center. The hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. for all ages, but the children will be divided into two groups: Ages 4 and under and 5 and up. Before the hunt, you can enjoy pancakes and a visit with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $3 per person or $5 per person for non-residents. You must register for the breakfast beforehand; children 1 and under are free.

The Midwest Museum of Natural History in Sycamore is offering your children a chance to visit with “Spring Babies” on Saturday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The museum will be hosting baby chicks, bunnies, ducklings, goats, and lambs. Tickets to visit with the animals are $2 each, plus museum admission and are sold in 15-minute increments. Space is limited and registration is required; call 815-895-9777 to sign up. Don’t forget your cameras!

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Go West Giveaway: Four tickets to see ‘Godspell’ at Geneva Underground Playhouse

Updated on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 10:16PM by Tara Burghart

We have a giveaway today that is tied to the upcoming Easter holiday, and the prize is very generous.

The fine folks at Geneva Underground Playhouse would like to award one lucky Go West Young Mom reader four tickets to see their production of “Godspell.”

The musical was a big hit off-Broadway in the 1970s, and its score was written by Stephen Schwartz, most famous for his work on "Wicked."

"Godspell" will be performed in GUP’s space at 524 W. State in downtown Geneva on Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons through April 10.

“Godspell” follows the life of Jesus and is based on the Gospel of Matthew, although it includes some parables from the Book of Luke as well. This production is set in the modern day, and the show is family-friendly, but it is probably best for children ages 8 and up. You can read more about it here in this informative article from the Daily Herald.

The Geneva Underground Playhouse, by the way, is a nont-for-profit community theater.

One Go West reader will win four tickets and can choose what show she wants to see, as long as there are remaining tickets available for that performance. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children, so this is quite a wonderful prize package!

To enter all you have to do is answer the following question in the comment section below:  What play, musical or performance did you enjoy so much the first time you saw it that you would love to see again? It doesn't matter if it was on Broadway, in downtown Chicago or at your local community theater, tell us about it!

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Five (More) Great ... Activities to Try Over Spring Break

Last Monday we brought you five ideas for how to entertain your family over spring break. Since many school districts are starting their breaks today, we thought we could bring you five more suggestions. But don’t forget to check out last week’s list, too -- a couple of those are still valid for this week.

If you visit Kline Creek Farm this week, you'll likely see some lambs born in March. Photo by Wendy Piersall on Flickr.* Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago is one of my very favorite spots. This week, its “Spring Break” program will educate children what life was like for farm children in the 1890s. Your kids can even help with the chores. The program will be held on Monday and on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  On Friday, during the “April Fool’s Adventure” from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., your family can go on a search to see what doesn’t belong on an 1890s farm. All the events are free, and registration is not required.

* The Aurora Public Library’s main branch on Benton Street will offer “Spring Break Drop-In Crafts” on Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome. The Eola Road Branch has a “Spring Break Movie Marathon” scheduled on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. The Eola Road Branch also has a “Drop-In Craft Time” scheduled  on Wednesday for children ages in kindergarten through 2^nd grades from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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Go West Summer Camp Guide: Geneva

Time for another episode of Summer Camp Week here at Go West Young Mom. Today we provide a list of camp opportunities in Geneva. Please remember that we welcome suggestions and tips -- we know there are more camps out there!

Photo by iStockphoto.com.

Name & Description: Acting and theater workshops, introducing skills to build stage presence by increasing confidence in young actors through games, exercises and storytelling.

Sponsor or Organization: Geneva Underground Playhouse

Location: 524 W. State St. in Geneva

Ages: For children in 1^st grade through 6^th grade.

Dates: There are two weeklong sessions of this class, one offered from June 20-25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and another from July 11-16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For More Information: www.guptheatre.org or call 630-677-1725.

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Weekend Spotlight: 'Charlotte's Web' in Elgin

The latest edition of the “Weekend Spotlight” falls on one “Terrific,” “Radiant,” “Humble” pig. Yep, of course we’re talking about Wilbur from “Charlotte’s Web.”

The E.B. White classic was first published in 1952. It tells the story of a runt of the litter who is saved from the slaughterhouse by a grey spider named Charlotte. She spins into her web messages such as “Some Pig” that persuade the farmer to let the pig live. And of course Wilbur returns the favor of true friendship later on, in scenes that made me sob as a child and I’m sure will again when I read the book to my daughter.

A theatrical adaptation of “Charlotte’s Web” is being performed on Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. The production, by the the TheatreWorks USA touring company, is 60 minutes long and is recommended for children ages 5 and up.

Showtimes are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $7.

But of course make sure to check out the Go West calendar for lots more weekend options, including a free showing of the movie “Gulliver’s Travels’ in Batavia and Oswego, blacksmithing demonstrations at Kline Creek Farm, a number of open gyms and a naturalist-led hike at the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin.