Evanston Early Childhood Council

03/02/2026

It's day today! Pick up a book and spend some time reading today. While you're at it, help cultivate a love of literacy for the young readers in your life by reading together!

03/02/2026

March is the perfect time to get out and explore Downtown Evanston as the days start to warm up. Join us for our annual S’mores on the Square, explore restaurants with the Let's Eat Challenge program, celebrate International Women’s Month by supporting women-owned businesses and attending special events, enjoy North Shore Restaurant Month dining deals, and don’t miss the Chicago Stars FC first home games in Evanston!

Find out about these and all the happenings in and around Downtown Evanston this month!

https://mailchi.mp/downtownevanston/downtownevanstonmarch2026enews

03/02/2026

With to Crayons Chicago, you can make a big impact from the comfort of your home with their FREE door-to-door pickups. It’s the perfect way to share a little extra love this month! Head to https://shorturl.at/2VH15 for details on how you can schedule a pickup at home and help end clothing insecurity for the 1 in 2 Chicagoland children who don't have the clothing they need.

Every little bit helps!

03/02/2026

🌷 Hello March — and hello spring fun! 🌞
Evanston Early Childhood Council (EECC) is excited to welcome the month of March and a whole week of FREE, family-friendly events coming up. Bring your little ones (0–5 years) and join us for storytimes, playtime, safety programs, and more. Here’s what’s happening the first week:

📅 March 1, 2026 (Sun)
• Evanston Fire Department: Kids First Aid Event — Levy Senior Center, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
(Hands-on safety learning for kids!)

📅 March 4, 2026 (Wed)
• All By Myself (registration required) — Main Library, 1:30 – 2:15 PM
• Booked & the Storytime Dads — Main Library, 10:30 AM (check listing for registration details)

📅 March 5, 2026 (Thu)
• Drop-In Baby Playtime — Main Library, 10:15 – 11:15 AM
(Free, casual play for babies + caregivers)

📅 March 7, 2026 (Sat)
• Saturday Storytime — Bookends & Beginnings — 11:00 – 11:30 AM
• S’mores on the Square — Fountain Square, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
(Family-friendly evening — yum!)

📅 March 8, 2026 (Sun)
• Game Play Sunday — Main Library, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
(Remember: Daylight Saving Time begins!)

✨ All activities in this calendar are geared toward children 0–5 years old. Some programs require registration — check the event listing or our website for details.

Want more info or the full calendar? Visit: www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

Come celebrate spring with us — free events, new friends, and lots of learning + play. See you soon! 🍀💚

02/28/2026

Come play with us this summer! Sunshine, friends, and summer fun for preschoolers with weekly sessions starting June 15. Learn more at www.cherrypreschool.org

02/28/2026

Attend an upcoming open house to tour schools, meet staff, and connect with your school community, especially as new attendance boundaries take effect next year. We can't wait to welcome you into our schools! View schedules for each school: shorturl.at/HvkFh

02/28/2026

Check out "E-Town Books and Badges" on Saturday, designed for kids kindergarten - 4th grade, made possible by the Evanston Public Library -

The Evanston Police Department will share important safety tips, there will be a special guest storytime featuring Chief Stewart, and Gilo Logan will read from his new book, Protecting A Dream. AND, there will be a fun craft, and each participant will walk away with a copy of Protecting A Dream!

For more information and to register, visit https://evanstonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/6967d0a6c719ac98c336e3a7

02/02/2026

💖 Welcome, February! 💖
Hello from Evanston Early Childhood Council (EECC) — we’re excited to step into a month filled with love, learning, and meaningful moments for our youngest community members. February celebrates connection, creativity, and Black History Month, and we’re kicking it off with a wonderful week of activities for families with young children.

✨ Here’s what’s happening the week of Monday, February 2 – Monday, February 9, 2026:

📖 Monday, Feb 2
• Crown Storytime for Preschoolers & Toddlers ✨
📍 Robert Crown Library
🕥 10:30–11:00 & 11:00–11:30 (registration required)

👶 Tuesday, Feb 3
• Time for Twos ✨
📍 Main Library
🕥 10:30–11:00 (registration required)

🧸 Thursday, Feb 5
• Drop-in Baby Playtime
📍 Main Library
🕥 10:15–11:15

🎭 Friday, Feb 6
• Purple Crayon Players Storytime
📍 Main Library
🕤 9:30–10:30

🌱 Saturday, Feb 7
• Indoor Farmers Market
📍 Ecology Center | 🕗 8:00am–12:00pm
• STEAM Beyond the Stars
📍 Roycemore | 🕣 8:30–10:00am

🧁 Sunday, Feb 8
• Cupcake Decorating
📍 Foodstuffs | 🕒 3:00–4:00pm
• Community Rising: Family-Friendly Concert
📍 DB Main Library | 🕑 2:00–3:00pm
• Puppet Playspace Launch Party
📍 Robert Crown Library | 🕞 3:30–5:00pm

📖 Monday, Feb 9
• Crown Storytime for Preschoolers & Toddlers ✨
📍 Robert Crown Library
🕥 10:30–11:00 & 11:00–11:30 (registration required)

💗 We can’t wait to celebrate February with you — one story, song, and smile at a time.
Visit www.evanstonearlychildhood.org
for details and registration info!

02/02/2026

Black History Month Reading with Leslé Honoré:
Author of Brown Girl, Brown Girl and My Brown Boy
Saturday, February 14
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Main Library

Celebrate Black History Month with a live reading from Leslé Honoré, a Blaxican Poet, activist, and author. In her poetry and life, Leslé Honoré works to empower youth to find their voices through the arts. Her latest published work for children My Brown Boy is an affirming picture book that celebrates the brilliance and power of brown and Black boys to achieve their dreams. Copies of Leslé Honoré's picture books Brown Girl, Brown Girl and My Brown Boy will be on sale at the event. For children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required.

Event info: https://evanstonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69591a8d2c65973d0015a86f

02/02/2026

✨ Join us this February for Black History Month at YWCA Evanston/North Shore ✨

We’re hosting a series of FREE community events centered on education, reflection, and celebration of Black history, truth, and creativity. 💜🖤

📚 From Hate to Humanity: The History of Anti-Blackness in the United States (1619–Present)
🗓 Wednesday, 2/11
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
An educational journey examining how anti-Blackness and white supremacist ideology shaped systems of oppression that continue today.
🎤 Presented by Roger Moreano, MBA
🔗 Reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-hate-to-humanity-the-history-of-anti-blackness-in-the-united-states-tickets-1981045370030

🎬 Film & Discussion: Stamped from the Beginning
🗓 Wednesday, 2/18
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
An 85-minute documentary based on Ibram X. Kendi’s bestselling book, followed by a community discussion.
🎤 Discussion led by Roger Moreano, MBA
🔗 Reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-discussion-stamped-from-the-beginning-tickets-1981046562597

🎤 The Soul of Black Poetry: Celebrating and Centering the Beauty of Blackness
🗓 Wednesday, 2/25
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
An open mic inviting original poetry centered on Blackness and the Black Diaspora, plus readings from prominent Black poets.
🔗 Reserve a spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-soul-of-black-poetry-celebrating-and-centering-beauty-of-blackness-tickets-1981045894599

💡 All events are FREE and open to the public (donations welcome).
🍪 Snacks & refreshments provided.

02/02/2026