North Shore Views

It’s TV Tune Out Week!

Think your family can go for a week without TV or any other form of “screen entertainment”?

If you’re up for the challenge, North Shore businesses are here to support you. All week long sponsors of the “holiday” are providing tons of activities for those who want to experience life unplugged.

This year’s theme is “Power on Your Imagination” and the fun kicks off Sunday, March 7 with a performance by the Chinese Acrobats– at 3:30 p.m. in the Washburne School gym, 515 Hibbard Rd., Winnetka.  All week long you can take part in dozens of alternative activities – including acting classes, art projects, treasure hunts, story hours, behind-the-scenes tours,  sports and community service opportunities. Or, you can just enjoy time with your family at home, without the distraction of TVs, computers and video games.  Play board games, read together, bake cookies, or go on a family expedition.

TV Tune Out Week was started in 1995 by the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood and has now spread to surrounding communities. Over 5500 children participate in the program, whose goal is for families to evaluate the role TV plays in their lives, to explore other options and to become more educated about screen media.

Ideas for family fun and information about community activities are all  listed in The 2010 TV Tune Out Guide, which is available at participating schools or at various locations throughout the community.  For more information about TV Tune Out Week, visit www.winnetkaalliance.org.

Also see:

• Activities at The Book Stall
• Drop in at The Botanic Garden

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, TV Tune Out Week, Winnetka

March Family Fun on the North Shore

Looking for things to do with the kids this month? Here are some fun North Shore activities worth checking out:

Seussical Jr.
Wilmette Rec Center, 3000 Glenview Rd., Wilmette
3/5 & 3/12 at 7:00; 3/6 & 3/13 at 2:00 and 7:00; 3/7 & 3/14  at 2:00 ($8/person)
Seussical, Jr., a delightful musical filled with characters from beloved Dr. Seuss books, is the featured spring production of the Wilmette Children’s Theatre’s 50th Season. Follow Horton the Elephant as he discovers the smallest planet in the universe and sets out to convince the other animals in the jungle that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Maple Syrup Harvest
Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd., Highland Park
3/6 at 10:00 am ($6/person)

Celebrate the first rites of spring as naturalists demonstrate tapping trees, collecting sap and reveal the process of making syrup during this age-old tradition!  After making rounds through the maple trees at Sunset Woods Park, sample tasty sap and syrup!  Everyone is welcome, however content is appropriate for adults and children over the age of six.  Please dress for the weather.

Three Little Pigs
Wilmette Theater, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette
3/6 & 3/13 at 10:00 am  ($12/person)

Performed by the Chicago Kids’ Company – Sing along with Roxanne, Petunia and Babe as they set out to build their houses.

Gumballs & Superballs
Chicago Botanic Garden, Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
3/16 and 3/13  from 9:30-11:00 or 1:00-2:30
($17/child and $20/adult)

Discover amazing plants of the rainforest in our greenhouses.  Find out how people use parts of rainforest trees to make chewing gum and rubber. Create your own bouncing ball and flavorful gum to take home.

TV Tune Out Week Kick-Off: Chinese Acrobat Performance
Washburne School, 515 Hibbard Rd., Winnetka
3/7 at 3:30  ($8/person)

Kids can learn and practice math basics while focusing on one of our fave foods, pizza! ‘Pizza: Any Way You Slice It!’ encourages playful, open-ended exploration by focusing on three areas: making, delivering and eating pizza. Children are instantly drawn to this exhibit that informally teaches counting, sorting, measuring, gathering, matching, patterning, sequencing, role-playing and sharing.

Old and young will enjoy this family favorite, complete with kid and adult beverages, popcorn, and prizes! Extra bingo cards will be available for purchase.

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, Things to do with kids

Family Fun at Winnetka Community House

If your kids are getting cabin fever from the relentless cold weather, here’s something to do that the whole family can enjoy: go see “Treasure Ahoy! A Story of Shipwrecked Surprises”. This is an original musical comedy from the Winnetka Children’s Hour and performed by local kids at the Winnetka Community House on February 4th and 5th at 7:00 pm and on February 6 at 10:30 am.  Tickets are $8.00.
The play features a group of castaways lost on a mysterious island. While searching for a legendary treasure they encounter a band of bumbling pirates and some mischievous islanders. The Children’s Hour has been putting on shows like this since 1932 and they are always well done and lots of fun. We’ve got some great talent here on the North Shore!

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, Winnetka, Winnetka Children's Hour, Winnetka Community House