Evanston Early Childhood Council

10/21/2025

Gather with family and friends at the newly renovated Ecology Center for our annual family-friendly Halloween event this Saturday, October 25th!

Costumes are encouraged for this non-scary Halloween walk through the nature classroom and Ladd Arboretum! This year's theme --"Magic of Nature" -- will be celebrating the "magical" creatures that call Evanston home. To register, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or register online. Space is limited, sign up today!

BUG-A-BOO - "MAGIC OF NATURE"

Our annual family-friendly Halloween event will highlight "magical" animals that call Evanston home! Learn fun facts about these amazing animals, as you explore the Ladd Arboretum and meet these characters on your adventure. After your outdoor adventure, enjoy s’mores around the campfire, Halloween-themed games, dance to festive music, and take home a magical craft. Costumes are encouraged for this fun, family-friendly Halloween event. Please register all attending members of your group. You must attend during your registered time.

Location: Evanston Ecology Center

Age: 2 yrs and up

Fee: $11R/$15NR

Class # Dates Days Time

132115D5 Oct 25 Saturday 5:15-6pm

132115E5 Oct 25 Saturday 5:30-6:15pm

132115F5 Oct 25 Saturday 5:45-6:30pm

132115G5 Oct 25 Saturday 6-6:45pm

132115H5 Oct 25 Saturday 6:15-7pm

132115J5 Oct 25 Saturday 6:30-7:15pm

10/21/2025

CNE's annual holiday gift card drive is back! Every year, we collect donations from generous local sponsors to purchase gift cards for families in our Head Start program. These gift cards enable parents and caregivers to purchase holiday gifts for their children as well as special holiday meals and treats. This year, we're hoping to raise $12,000 to cover all of our enrolled children and families. We'd love your support! Get more information and donate here:
https://www.micharitydonations.com/Donate?Charity=CNE.

Thanks for helping to brighten the holidays for a local family! 🎁

10/21/2025

Stop by First Northern Credit Union's Fall Festival for family fun & community cheer. From 10-11:30AM, enjoy trick-or-treating, games with prizes, photo op, crafts and costume contest! This event is rain or shine. All items are while supplies last.

10/21/2025

10/21/2025

🎃🍂 So Many Fun Family Events This Week in Evanston! 🍂🎃

There’s something for everyone happening this week — from storytimes and cultural fun to Halloween adventures and community gatherings! Don’t miss out 👇

📅 Monday, Oct. 20
💖 Hearts of Readers — Main Library, 10:15–10:45 a.m.
📚 Crown Storytime — Robert Crown Library, 10:30–11:00 a.m. & 11:00–11:30 a.m.

🎲 Tuesday, Oct. 21
🧩 D.A.S.H. & G.O. — Disabled Adult Social Hour & Gaming Opportunity
📍 Prieto Community Center | ⏰ 1:00–2:30 p.m. | 💵 Free
Join this inclusive, peer-led social hour for adults (18+) with disabilities — bring your favorite game and come connect and play!

🎶 Wednesday, Oct. 22
🇯🇵 Let’s Learn and Sing in Japanese / にほんごでうたお! — Main Library, 10:15–11:00 a.m.

📖 Thursday, Oct. 23
🎭 Purple Crayon Players Storytime — Main Library, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
🍬 Goldfish Evanston’s Trunk or Treat — Goldfish Swim School, 5:00–6:30 p.m.

🎃 Saturday, Oct. 25
👻 Central Street Trick or Treat — Downtown Evanston
🚴 Evanston Rides! Family Ride
🎉 Main-Dempster Mile: Spooky Saturday
🦋 Bug-a-Boo — Ecology Center, 4:30–7:15 p.m.
Celebrate nature’s “creepy crawlies,” meet costumed volunteers, enjoy s’mores, and play Halloween-themed games! ($11 R / $15 NR – registration required)

🧩 Sunday, Oct. 26
🎲 Game Play Sunday — Main Library, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

👻✨ Grab your costumes, bring the whole family, and join in the fall fun across Evanston this week! 🍁

10/09/2025

🌿 Free Family Fun at Heller Nature Center! 🌿

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Join us for an afternoon of scavenger hunts, hiking, fort-building, snacks, and a cozy campfire 🔥!

📍 Heller Nature Center – Highland Park
📅 Saturday, October 19th | 1–3 PM

This event is both indoor & outdoor, so come ready to explore nature and make memories together.

✅ Registration is encouraged but not required — walk-ins are always welcome!

Hosted by Northern Illinois Nature Play Association (NINPA)
📧 For questions, contact: Margie@taamteva.org

10/07/2025

🎃 Have a spooky time at the 2nd Annual Truck or Treat event hosted by Northwestern and Central Street Consortium. ⏰ It will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30th from 3:30 - 6:00PM, in the Ryan Field West Parking Lot.

Northwestern Neighborhood and Community Relations, CSC, local businesses and University partners will give away candy and gifts, join the community in games, face painting, cotton candy, costume contests and more.

🔗 Click for more details! https://buff.ly/FoN1Nyr
🔗RSVP is optional but encouraged for this event: https://buff.ly/N29nvpH

10/06/2025

🍂💛 Hey Evanston Families! 💛🍂

October is here, and we’ve got another week full of free, fun, and family-friendly activities for our little ones! Bring your kiddos out for storytime, music, play, and even a fall festival to celebrate the season! 🌻🎃

Here’s what’s happening this week (October 6–11):

📚 Monday, Oct 6
💖 Hearts of Readers – Main Library, 10:15–10:45 am
A cozy morning filled with stories and songs that help early readers bloom!

📖 Crown Storytime – Robert Crown Library, 10:30–11:00 am & 11:00–11:30 am
Join us for double the storytime fun—perfect for little listeners!

👶 Tuesday, Oct 7
✨ Time for Twos – Main Library, 10:30–11:00 am
Sing, read, and play with your toddler at this lively early learning session!

🌙 Wednesday, Oct 8
🧸 Jammie Time – Main Library, 6:30–7:00 pm
Put on your PJs and bring your favorite stuffed friend for bedtime stories before bed!

🐾 Saturday, Oct 11
🎉 Paws & Claws: Rally for Rescues – Fall Fest – Baker Park, 12:00–3:00 pm
A fun-filled day for families (and furry friends!) featuring games, community fun, and fall festivities! 🐶🍁

There’s something special for every family this week — we can’t wait to see you out in the community! 💙

📍 Learn more at www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

10/05/2025

🎃 It’s officially October...which means spooky season has arrived! The City has a full lineup of Halloween-themed fun planned all month long, plus plenty of community celebrations you won’t want to miss. Check out everything that's going on: cityofevanston.org/halloween.

09/29/2025

🍂✨ September is wrapping up, and October is rolling in! ✨🍂

The weather’s looking good, and we’ve got some fun FREE family events to enjoy with your little ones. Don’t miss these great activities as we close out September and welcome October:

📅 September Events

Sun, Sept 28: Crown Outdoor Storytime @ Robert Crown Library | 10:30–11:30 am

Mon, Sept 29: Crown Outdoor Storytime @ Robert Crown Library | 10:30–11:30 am

Tue, Sept 30: Time for Twos @ Main Library | 10:30–11:00 am

📅 October Kickoff

Wed, Oct 1: All By Myself @ Main Library | 1:30–2:15 pm

Thu, Oct 2: The Young and the Restless (0–2 yrs) @ Main Library | 1:30–2:45 pm

Fri, Oct 3: Purple Crayon Players Storytime @ Main Library | 9:30–10:30 am

Sat, Oct 4: Pequeños exploradores @ Robert Crown Library | 10:30–11:30 am

Sun, Oct 5:
🌟 Dad and Me Playdate! @ Robert Crown Library | 4:00–5:00 pm
🌕 Mid-Autumn Festival @ Main Library | 4:30–5:30 pm

💛 These programs are perfect for children 0–5 years old and a wonderful way to connect with other families in Evanston.

Check out our full October calendar for even more storytimes, playdates, and seasonal fun! 🎉

📌 Details here: www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

09/29/2025

🌟 Bring the whole family for a day of hope and healing! 🌟



On Sunday, October 5, from 1–3 PM at the Evanston Lakefront, join us for Step Up for Recovery—a walk and community celebration honoring recovery, supporting prevention, and celebrating PEER Services’ 50 years of life-changing care.



✨ Enjoy music, kids’ activities, and the joy of gathering together for a healthier, more compassionate community.



🎟️ Choose your ticket price: $50, $25, or Free🎟️



👉 Register Here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/stepup2025/

07/21/2025

🎉 Evanston Families with Little Ones — Here's What's Happening This Week! 🎉

Looking for fun and FREE things to do with your young children in Evanston? We've got a great lineup of storytimes, music, outdoor fun, and more for the week of July 21–27:

📅 Monday, July 21
📚 Crown Outdoor Storytime – Robert Crown Library, 10:30–11:30 AM
📖 All By Myself – Main Library, 11:00–11:45 AM

📅 Tuesday, July 22
👶 Time for Twos – Main Library, 10:30–11:00 AM
🐸 Frog on a Log Storytime – Booked, 10:30–11:00 AM
🚐 EPL On the Fly! – Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM

📅 Wednesday, July 23
🎶 Let’s Learn and Sing in Japanese! – Main Library, 10:15–11:00 AM
🚐 EPL On the Fly! – Mason Park, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM

📅 Thursday, July 24
👶 The Young and the Restless (0–2 yrs) – Main Library, 10:15–10:45 AM
🚐 EPL On the Fly! – Elks Park, 3:00–5:00 PM
🎵 Nature Tots & Tunes – Baker Park, 5:00–7:00 PM

📅 Friday, July 25
🌊 Sand & Stories – Lee Street Beach, 10:00–10:45 AM
🐸 Frog on a Log Storytime – Booked, 10:30–11:00 AM

📅 Saturday, July 26
🚲 Family Ride – Robert Crown Community Center, 10:00 AM
🎉 Connections for the Homeless Block Party – Twiggs Park, 12:00–11:00 PM

📅 Sunday, July 27
🎬 Matinee Movie: The Minecraft Movie – Main Library, 2:00–4:00 PM

Come out and make memories with your little ones! 🌟