Playscape programs for preschoolers
Enjoy free drop-in programs for children ages 2-7 included with regular admission at the Rita (Fredenhagen) and John Harvard Early Learning Playscape at Naper Settlement. Playscape Readers will be held at 11AM for ages 2-5 and at 1PM for ages 5-7 on Wednesdays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24. Find a seat on the quilt for an engaging story time featuring changing seasonal themes. Pioneer Picnics will be held from 11:30AM to 1 PM on Wednesdays. Pack a picnic lunch and join other parents and children to play with pioneer toys and games.
Camp Naper: Summer Day Camp
Is your child an explorer, detective, artist or all of the above? Camp Naper has programs that put children in grades 1-8 in the center of the action. One-day, two-day and weeklong camps and a three-day Pioneer Life camp offer a wide variety of enrichment activities from art to science and more. All camps are run by professional staff. A great value close to home. Camps run from June 15 to July 31. For more info, visit www.napersettlement.org/camp.
Flashback Friday – Meet a Curator
Meet the museum’s curatorial staff, hear about their work and see real artifacts from the museum’s collection of more than 55,000 objects from 1 to 2:30PM Fri., June 5 for a look at the textile collection, specifically uniforms. The program is held at the Collections Care and Storage Facility, City of Naperville Department of Public Works Buildings, 180 Fort Hill Dr., Door F (located at the northwest corner of building). Space is limited to the first 20 registrants; registration is required. Tickets are $10 per person; $8 for Settlement-6 members and above. Call (630) 420-6010.
Athleta Esprit de She Naperville Triathlon Expo
Registration and expo for the Athleta Esprit de She Naperville Triathlon will take place from 10AM to 4PM Sat., June 13. The historic buildings will be open for touring. For race information, visit www.espritdeshe.com. Admission is free.
Third Thursday Thinkers
Every third Thursday of the month from June through September, drop by Naper Settlement’s Rita (Fredenhagen) and John Harvard Early Learning Playscape to experience history in unexpected ways. Third Thursday Thinkers will be held from 10 to 10:30AM Thurs., June 18 for children ages 2 to 5 and from 2 to 2:30PM for children ages 5 to 7. Take your young thinker on a museum adventure, where they will use their senses and discover what makes Illinois unique. Little fingers will experiment with painting, gluing, sticking and creating, while developing fine motor skills. This drop-in program is free with paid admission.
Naper Nights Community Concert Series
The Naper Nights Community Concert Series sets the stage for nonstop music during three summer weekends in June, July and August. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy music under the stars. Gates open at 5PM both nights. On Fri., June 19, opening act The Neverly Brothers will take the audience back to the early days of rock music from the ’50s and ’60s, followed by American English, celebrating 50 years of Beatlemania, with two full sets of Beatles music including the album, “Help!” in its entirety . On Sat., June 20 opening act OMT, local Naperville favorites, will play a variety of music from classic rock to current, followed by Elevation, a premier, nationally recognized U2 tribute band. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 youth 4-12. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Free admission for members and children under 4. Tickets are available online at www.napernights.org. Call (630) 420-6010.
Settlement Sundays
Father’s Day, June 21, kicks off Settlement Sundays, a community ice cream social, held from 1 to 4PM every Sunday through Aug. 30 (except July 12). Admission to the museum includes free sundaes with do-it-yourself toppings, hands-on family activities and tours of historic buildings. Ice cream from Culver’s is served from 2-3:30PM and is limited to the first 250 guests. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 youth 4-12; Naperville residents and members are free.
Night at the Museum
As the doors close and the lights dim, you and your group will head out with lanterns for an evening of adventure from 5 to 9:30PM Fri., June 26 at Naper Settlement. Travel back in time, experience rare behind-the-scenes tours and participate in a rousing game of Townball. Enjoy a picnic dinner, s’mores and music around the campfire with recording artist Kevin Presbrey. Rain or shine, this program is perfect for families and children of all ages. Tickets are $25 adult (Ages 13+), $20 youth (Ages 5-12), $10 ages 4 and under.
History comes to life at Naper Settlement, Chicagoland’s outdoor history museum, located at 523 S. Webster St. in Naperville. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call (630) 420-6010 for tickets and info.
