NEW! DuPage Children’s Museum Takes Learning Fun to Illinois Communities

Summer is almost over, but this year many children experienced some unique learning fun at fairs, festivals and events around the county and state, thanks to DuPage Children’s Museum, one of Chicago’s top 10 cultural attractions and one of the top children’s museums in the U.S.

DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) provided interactive exhibits based on math, science and the arts to families from all over the state at the Illinois State Fair, August 11-20, and participated in the First Lady’s Tent ribbon cutting, with Governor Blagojevich, on opening day. Hundreds of families took advantage of these interactive exhibits as a part of their State Fair experience.

Almost immediately after the State Fair, the Museum was on the go again, as part of Family Land at the Last Fling in Naperville’s Centennial Park, September 2-3, providing interactive learning fun to families.

In Japan, a fish kite represents the carp, a symbol of strength, courage and determination in Japanese culture. Fish kites are displayed every year in Japan at their Children’s Day festival because the carp represents qualities parents hope their children will possess. With this in mind, DCM helped over 600 children create their very own fish kites at Naper Days, in Naperville, June 16-18. Each young artist designed a unique kite using colorful crayons, markers, and stickers, and taped on streamers for tails before testing their creation for flight, for all to see.

At Brookfield Zoo, June 17, DCM provided bird costumes to young visitors coming to see Zoo Star Cookie Cockatoo, allowing children to experience the wonder of having wings.

Don’t worry if you missed these great activities because there’s more coming up this autumn!

October 6, 7 and 8, DCM will be providing free interactive children’s activities at the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles. October 14, look for DCM at the Vision Festival in Frontier Park, where the Museum will be sponsoring a gigantic multi-media mural for families to decorate. At Brookfield Zoo, during Boo! at the Zoo on October 29, young visitors can get a jump on Halloween by trying on winged costumes from 10 a.m. until noon, at entrance to the Australia House, where many Zoo bats live, or in the Hamill Family Play Zoo, in case of bad weather. The Museum will also be participating in the Hometown Holidays Parade in Naperville on November 24.

Photo follows (DCM facilitator at the Illinois State Fair)…

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

DuPage Children’s Museum is a not-for-profit organization, receiving 40% of its funding through donations and sponsorships. Your support helps us make a difference in the lives of children!

Location: 301 N. Washington Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: 630-637-8000

Hours*: Monday: 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm

Sunday: 12 - 5 pm

*Call for special holiday hours.

General Admission: $7.50 per person, ages one through 59.

$6.50 per person, ages 60 and over.

Annual Memberships: Several membership types are available. Please visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org for more information.

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