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No time for boredom over winter break in Western Springs
Soccer instructor Peter Beaumont explains the next set of ball-handling skills to his students. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 21, 2013 2:17PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Once the festivities of Dec. 25 are past, things can get a little dull for kids on break from school.
While many may think they’d like nothing more than to have nothing to do, most quickly find that boredom does not suit them, nor their parents. And staying active over the break keeps little minds sharp and eases the transition back to school.
Fortunately, the Western Springs Recreation Department and Thomas Ford Memorial Library have activities planned to keep everyone busy and happy right up to the new year.
“We have some special programming called Christmas Capers,” said Tracy Alden, director of the Western Springs Recreation Center.
The structured program is for children age 4 through second grade. It offers both morning and afternoon activities. Kids can bring a lunch and stay for the whole day, or attend just morning or afternoon sessions. Sports, crafts, cooking and other activities will keep Capers attendees busy.
“There’s still time to sign up,” said Alden.
Participants can register for anything from one half-day session to 10 full days. The program begins Wednesday, Dec. 26 and runs weekdays through Friday, Jan. 4, at the Recreation Center, 1500 Walker. There is no class on New Year’s Day.
“It’s like a little mini summer camp, but in winter,” Alden said.
For older kids, the Recreation Center has Holiday Open Gym. Players must bring their own basketball. No pre-registration is required. A fee of $2 per player per session is paid per visit. The gym is open noon-2 p.m. for fourth- and fifth-graders; 2 to 4 p.m. for kids in sixth through eighth grade; and 4 to 6 p.m. for older students.
More information about Christmas Capers and Holiday Open Gym can be found in the Recreation Center brochure, available at http://wsprings.com, or by calling (708) 246-9070.
The Thomas Ford Memorial Library will host a Lego Play Day at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4. All ages are welcome to drop in and build with the library’s collection of Lego and Duplo blocks.
Of course, it’s also a great place to hang out and read, just for the fun of it.
The library is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The library will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31, and Jan. 1.
