Winter Break camps, arts award, Noon Year's Eve +

December 9, 2022

Check out our eight Winter Break camps for kids!

Our winter break camps for kids will keep them active over winter break, with some providing needed all-day care. Take a look at all of them here!

School's Out Fun with Field Trips – Ages 5-11

Enjoy a day off of school with friends with a local field trip, lunch and an afternoon snack included in the fee. Other activities include, arts and crafts, games and outdoor play. Trips include Field Museum, Skatium Ice Arena, Top Golf, Wizard of Oz (play), Jump Zone, an AMC Movie, Enchanted Castle, Magic Show and The Exploritorium, Play & Spin, and The Zone. Registration deadline is one week in advance. Extended care also available daily 4-6 p.m. Sign up by day.

Oakton Community Center / December 23-January 6, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Emily Oaks Winter Break Camp – Ages 5-10

Each day your child will spend time exploring and learning new outdoor skills. Activities also include games, hiking, and related craft projects.

Emily Oaks Nature Center / January 3-6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cultural Arts Holiday Camp – Ages 6-12

Let your young artist enjoy the holiday break as they dive into the arts. Campers join our specialists in dance, theatre, music, circus, visual and culinary arts to experience fun and creativity. For an additional fee, extended care opportunities are also available.

Devonshire Cultural Center / December 27–January 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cultural Arts Minis Holiday Camp – Ages 3-5

You are never too young to dive into the arts! Preschool aged students join our specialists in dance, theatre, music, circus, visual and culinary arts to experience fun and creativity.

Devonshire Cultural Center / December 27–January 6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Ancient Worlds Escape Room – Ages 8-13

Through puzzles, riddles, fun activities, and trivia focused on the history and mythology of the ancient cultures of Egypt, Rome and Greece you will attempt to escape from the Labyrinth of the Minotaur.

Skokie Heritage Museum / January 6, 1-4 p.m.

Hot Shots Sports: Tiny Tots Sports Camp – Ages 4-7

Campers are introduced to the fundamentals of sports including basketball, floor hockey, football, kickball, soccer, t-ball and other sports and group games. Children will develop motor skills and nurture growth socially and emotionally through teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Weber Leisure Center / December 19-30, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Hot Shots Sports: Basketball Skills Camp – Ages 8-12

Campers will improve their basketball fundamentals, learn advanced skills, and enhance their teamwork. Dribbling, passing, rebounding, shooting and defense skills are developed. Campers are divided into groups based on age, size and ability.

Weber Leisure Center / December 26-30, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Basketball Camp – Grades 3-8

This basketball skills training camp includes ball handling, shooting techniques and a balance of skills and drills, friendly competition, and organized team play. Sign up by the day or week.

Weber Leisure Center / December 19-28, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Horwitz & Cultural Center win Skokie arts award

The Skokie Fine Arts Commission on Monday presented the 2022 Skokie Group Artistic Excellence Award to Robin Horwitz and the Devonshire Cultural Center, at the Village of Skokie December Board meeting.

As facility manager for the center, Horwitz oversees approximately 50 staff throughout the year and nearly 150 during the summer season. With a 35-year background in arts and arts administration, including as a singer and actor, she manages Devonshire Playhouse productions, summer performing arts camp, as well as the broad range of arts programming offered at the cultural center, including dance, visual arts, music and culinary arts. She was also instrumental in creating the Devonshire Theatre Academy, which offers a comprehensive theater curriculum for children and adults.

Horwitz believes that experiencing the arts is vital to a person’s quality of life, and that Devonshire Cultural Center participants gain enhanced cooperation skills, social interaction, self-confidence, and creativity –– all while having fun and making friends.

The Fine Arts Commission cited Horwitz and her team as being integral to providing these enrichment opportunities for the entire Skokie community.

Horwitz is pictured here with Fine Arts Commission Chairperson Pamela Garbarini.

Plan Noon Year's Eve with your little ones!

Ring in 2023 at this fun family event. Festivities include dancing, games, prizes, crafts, Exploritorium play, and a countdown to noon balloon drop!

Advance ticket purchase is required for his event. Space is limited. The Exploritorium will be open on December 30 for event-goers only. All adults and children (1 and above) must purchase a ticket for the event.

Oakton Community Center & The Exploritorium

Friday, December 30, 10 a.m.–noon

Click here to register

District staff are 'Parks & Rec Trek' champs!

Skokie Park District staff recently participated in and won the fourth annual Parks & Rec Trek, a six-week steps challenge involving eleven local park districts. There were 320 total participants this year and each one donated at least one canned good. All of the food items are then divided between the top three districts based on their agency’s average steps walked over the six-weeks.

The Skokie Park District team, with 70 participants, averaged 86,967 steps and narrowly beat the Deerfield Park District (85,656) and Des Plaines Park District (85,193). In its four years of participation, the Skokie Park District staff has finished first three times and second once.

As a result of the contest, nearly 500 canned and boxed goods are being donated to local food pantries, with more than 400 going to the Niles Township Food Pantry, courtesy of the Skokie win. And, 320 park district staff areawide are now leaner and meaner as a result of the extra exercise!

Your Winter Program Guide is here!

Registration begins December 15

The park district's winter classes and events are now online and with them the district's Winter Program Guide.

This guide offers you and your family a convenient look at an enormous variety of recreational, educational and fitness alternatives, including many winter special events.

Celebrate winter by finding a new program, class or hobby at your Skokie Park District!

Click the guide's cover graphic to join the fun!

Winter registration

For residents begins on December 15.

For non-resident begins on December 22.

Check out December Happenings

If you are looking for new and unique ways to have fun in December, the Skokie Park District offers great one-day events, workshops, outings, special events and more.

Click on the calendar below to view it and access its links.