Children with special needs don’t need to miss out on regular fun and open play. The Lake County Special Needs Calendar rounds up this month’s events for families and children with special needs all in one place. Unless otherwise stated, all events require preregistration. See the event listings for more information and to register.
November Lake County Special Needs Calendar
Weekly Events for Children with Special Needs:
LMNOP
Every Friday, 10-11:00 a.m.
Gigi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Language, Music N’ Our Peeps (LMNOP) guides parents and infants through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities, to stimulate the child. Recommended for children newborn-36 months old.
Open Play
Every Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse, 5404 W. Elm St., McHenry
Families and their friends are invited to the playhouse for playtime. Open play helps promote positive beginnings for new families with a child with Down syndrome, creates awareness opportunities for peers and friends, and provides support and networking for families. Come ready for fun and a crazy good time! Open to families with children of all ages and their friends.
Destination Discovery
Every other Wednesday, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Gigi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. All ages welcome.
Special Events for Children with Special Needs
Sensory Hour
1 November, 10-11:00 a.m.
Raupp Museum, 901 Dunham Lane, Buffalo Grove
Special activities suited to children with sensory processing issues, autism spectrum disorders, or who are differentlyabled. History is for everyone; and, our staff will be on hand to help children engage with the exhibits in a supportive environment.
Sensory Sensitive Sundays
3 November 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Chuck E. Cheese, 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Enjoy games and food with reduced lighting and noise. Staff will be trained and caring about autism and other special needs.
Special Needs Family Night
5 November, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rockin’ Jump – Buffalo Grove, 950 Busch Pkwy, Buffalo Grove
$10 for the first child, $5 each additional, 1 parent jumps free.
A sensory-friendly environment for special guests.
Playhouse Pals & Kids Club
5 & 19 November, 6-7:00 p.m.
Gigi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Playhouse Pals and Kids Club are two programs that support the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. These programs also support gross motor skills through active games, fine motor and self-help skills, and community field trips. Programs are for ages 5-8 and 8-12 years old.
Sensory Story Time*registration required*
6 November, 6-6:30 p.m.
Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington
Children enjoy books, music, and movement activities designed to engage the senses and build language and literacy skills. For children of all abilities.
AMC Sensory Friendly Films
9 & 23 November, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
AMC Theatres in Lake in the Hills and South Barrington
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where the theaters turn the lights up and turn the sound down, so you can get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!
Child Development Screening
9 November, 10-11:30 a.m.
Zion-Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave., Zion
Screen your child to see if they are on the right track in 5 key areas (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving & personal-social). Afterward, receive information on activities you can do with your child to enhance their growth and support their development. The questionnaires screen children from birth through five years old. Screened children can take home a free prize book. Drop-ins accepted but registration preferred. Appointments take ~20 minutes. Cuestionario en Espaňol también.
Sensory Storytime *Registration required*
16 November, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Warren Newport Public Library, 224 City W20, Gurnee | (847) 244-5150
Sensory Storytime for families with children 3-9 who are on the spectrum or have multi-sensory needs. The program provides a welcoming environment for children to enjoy a story and other fun activities. Siblings welcome. You must register everyone attending.
Everyone at play *Registration required*
17 November, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview
This special morning event offers free admission to families with children with special needs to explore the Museum exhibits in a controlled, quieter environment.
Accessibility Hour
17 November, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich | (847) 438-3433
Come an hour before the library opens at a quieter, gentler time to learn more about the library and our services. You will also have the opportunity to tour the Dinosaur Discoveries exhibit with your family. For patrons of all ages on the autism spectrum or with special needs and their families. No need to sign up.
Sensory Friendly Playdate
20 November, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Busy Brains Children’s Museum Pop-up, Hawthorn Malls, Vernon Hills
We know that for some kids, a visit to a children’s museum can be difficult or overstimulating. To give those friends a chance to PLAY too, we are having a Sensory Friendly Playtime. This is a low sensory event where children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders can explore the museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical day. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, remove loud exhibits, and provide quieter options. Admission is $5 per child, parents are free.
Sensory Storytime
22 November, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield | (847) 945-3311
An inclusive and interactive storytime filled with stories, songs, sensory play, and socialization! Children of all abilities with their siblings and caregivers are welcome. Please let the library know if any accommodations are required
Do you know of a program or event we missed? Share it in the comments so we can add it!
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