Families are invited to explore their imaginations outside of the DuPage Children’s Museum during its upcoming “Storybook Festival,” slated for September 26, 2020. Look for the big red door as it marks the spot at 301 N. Washington St. DCM building will remain closed at this time.
DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) invites families to get lost in their own imaginations
at Storybook Festival. From 9AM to 4PM on Sat., Sept. 26, bookworms of all ages are
encouraged to attend dressed as their favorite book character and enjoy this outdoor event full of fun, creativity, and adventure.
“We wanted to celebrate this impactful part of lifelong learning with fun activities that will have everyone using their imaginations and thinking together creatively,” explains Cassie Coffey, Senior Guest Experience Manager, DuPage Children’s Museum. “Stories and books help us expand our understanding of the world and take our minds on creative adventures. Literacy and language development are fundamental aspects of early childhood development.”
The Museum’s parking lot will host different experiences, including an area to design puppets and put on a show, a Literature Laboratory where guests can dream up their own fantastic tales, improvise with Big Story Blocks and a challenge to create and puzzle together pages of a giant storybook; also opportunities to enjoy socially-distanced story times with the Museum and Naperville Public Library.
Paint big with mural artist Jason Watts
Families will also have the opportunity to paint BIG on supersized storyboards with local mural artist Jason Watts, the Museum’s current Artist in Residence. His work is a celebration of color and graphic themes that are designed to be memorable, iconic, fun, and visually stimulating. Watts strives to incorporate local themes into his work, from iconic buildings to bridges and signage that adds a local relevance and emotes a visual response. Families can design, draw, and paint to incorporate their own unique creativity into this awe inspiring collaboration.
STEM concepts complement art and design elements
“Storybook Festival illustrates how STEM concepts and the arts come together,” Coffey added. “For example, puppet making is a great example of how math, art, and engineering intersect. Children can learn about shapes and measurements as they design their own puppets, determine what is needed to hold their designs together, and execute their work creatively through color and other artistic elements.”
Donate new or gently-used children’s books to Bernie’s Book Bank
This event is also serving as an opportunity to promote a children’s book drive. DCM has partnered with Bernie’s Book Bank to collect new or gently used children’s books for birth through 6th grade reading levels. Since 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed more than 18.6 million free, quality books to under-served children throughout Chicagoland.
Their mission is to empower children to read their way to a better life through book ownership. Each year 275,000 children, ages birth through sixth grade, receive 12 books annually from Bernie’s Book Bank through 900+ partners including schools, early childhood programs, food banks and more. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed 800,000+ free, quality books to children affected by COVID-19.
Advance reservations only! Timed-entry tickets for sale now!
Attendance will be limited and pre-registered, timed-entry tickets are required for this event; there will be no onsite ticket sales. Guests age 2 and older must wear a mask over their mouth and nose.
Please note: the Museum building is closed. Tickets for Storybook Festival are $8 per person for DCM Members and $14 per person for Non-members; it’s free for children under the age of one year.
Visit dupagechildrens.org/storybook-festival to learn more and register today!
This event is partially supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Story and photos submitted by Jaime Johnson for DuPage Children’s Museum.
