Evanston Early Childhood Council

01/06/2026

It’s HERE! The 2026 Summer Camp Guide Is Live at cityofevanston.org/recreation! From sports and skating to arts, nature, and hands-on enrichment, Evanston Parks & Recreation summer camps offer something for every age and interest.

Save these important dates:
-Jan. 5 – 2026 Summer Camp Guide released
-Jan. 9 – Camp Open House | 5–8 p.m. | Levy Center
-Feb. 7 – Online registration opens (Evanston residents)
-Feb. 9 – In-person registration opens (Evanston residents)
-Feb. 16 – Registration opens (nonresidents)

Don’t miss the Camp Open House on Jan. 9! Meet our amazing staff, explore programs, and get your questions answered before registration begins.

Start planning today: cityofevanston.org/recreation

01/05/2026

Wishing our Cherry Friends a safe and prosperous new year! Cheers to a new year of fun and learning.

01/05/2026

We invite you to imagine what’s possible when we invest in the children who are shaping our shared future. Please consider supporting our Annual Fund: https://slcevanston.org/annual-fund/

01/05/2026

✨ What’s Happening This Week? | January 5–11 ✨
We’ve got a cozy, creative, and kid-friendly week lined up—perfect for these chilly January days! Come read, play, and explore with us 💙

📅 Monday, January 5
❤️ Hearts of Readers
🕙 10:15–10:45 AM | Main Library
A sweet storytime for little book lovers!

📅 Wednesday, January 7
👶 Baby Storytime
🕙 10:15–11:00 AM | Main Library

🫐 Blueberry Open House
🕛 12:00–6:00 PM | Ecology Center
Stop by, explore, and enjoy!

🧸 Jammie Time
🕡 6:30–7:00 PM | Main Library
PJs encouraged—stories guaranteed!

📅 Friday, January 9
🖍️ Purple Crayon Players Storytime
🕤 9:30–10:30 AM | Main Library
Imagination takes center stage!

Bring a friend, bring the kids, and make this week one to remember! 💫
Which event are you joining us for? 👇😊

01/03/2026

We are excited to open registration for the 2026-2027 school year on January 1st. To learn more visit our website or schedule a tour today!

01/03/2026

❄️✨ Hello, January! ✨❄️

New year, new adventures for our littlest learners! 🧸📚
January is packed with fun, cozy, and curiosity-filled events designed especially for children ages 0–5 and their families. From storytimes and playdates to music, crafts, movies, and special celebrations—there’s something to warm every winter day! ☃️🎶🎨

🌟 Set gentle goals
📖 Build a love of reading
🤍 Make sweet memories together

Take a peek at our January calendar and mark your favorites! Which event are you most excited for? 👀👇

Let’s kick off 2026 with learning, laughter, and lots of little wins—one snowy step at a time! ❄️💙

12/29/2025

✨ This Week’s Events in Evanston ✨
As we wrap up 2025 and welcome 2026, we’re excited to celebrate the new year with fun, family-friendly events happening around Evanston—especially for our early childhood community!

📍 Main Library
🎬 Matinee Movie @ Main
🕑 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

🎶 Let’s Learn and Sing in Japanese! / にほんごでうたお!
🕥 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

📖 Noon Year’s Eve Storytime*
🕦 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

🎤 Golden Hour Karaoke*
🕒 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Robert Crown Branch Library
🍪 Cookie Decorating & Cocoa
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Join us as we celebrate learning, laughter, and community while ringing in the new year together!

👉 Like and follow our page to stay up to date on Evanston early childhood events and other fun happenings around the city.

Here’s to a joyful end to 2025 and an amazing start to 2026! 🎉💙

12/16/2025

✨ What a Cozy & Joyful Morning! ✨

Our Cozy Winter Reading Family Fun Event on Saturday, December 13th was a huge success, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! ❄️📚💙 We had a wonderful turnout and loved seeing so many families enjoying stories, crafts, cocoa, and quality time together.

📖 A special thank you to author Karla Valenti for joining us and sharing her new children’s holiday book, Esperanza Caramelo. It was such a treat for our families and little readers!

📚 We are also incredibly thankful to Young, Black & Lit for generously providing beautiful books for our families, and to the Evanston Public Library for donating additional books to give away. Your support helps build home libraries and a lifelong love of reading.

🏛️ Thank you to the City of Evanston for partnering with us and for providing such a wonderful space to host this event at the Dr. Jorge Prieto Community Center. The warm and welcoming environment helped make the morning extra special for our families.

⛄ And of course, a special shout-out to our surprise guest appearance by Olaf! He brought lots of smiles, hugs, and holiday magic to the event.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event so memorable. It truly warmed our hearts! 💛
We hope to see you at our next event—stay tuned for more family fun coming soon!

12/16/2025

✨ This Week’s Family-Friendly Events | December 14–21, 2025 ✨

Looking for cozy, meaningful ways to spend time together this season? Evanston has lots of fun and engaging activities for our youngest learners and their families this week! 🎨📚🎶

📅 Sunday, December 14
🎮 Game Play Sunday
📍 Main Library | 🕐 1:00–4:00 PM

🎶 Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert
📍 ETHS Auditorium | 🕒 3:00 PM
🕎 Happy Hanukkah!

📅 Monday, December 15
📖 Hearts of Readers
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:15–10:45 AM

👑 Crown Storytime
📍 Robert Crown Branch Library | 🕥 10:30–11:00 AM

📅 Tuesday, December 16
🕎 Chabad Chanukah Menorah Lighting
📍 Fountain Square | 🕠 5:30 PM

📅 Wednesday, December 17
📚 Little Builders: Books & Block Play
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:30–11:30 AM

📅 Thursday, December 18
🚀 Little Explorers: Space
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:30–11:30 AM

📅 Saturday, December 20
🤲 Let the Light In: A Family Healing Circle
📍 Main Library | 🕑 2:00–3:00 PM

📅 Sunday, December 21
🎶 EISMA Presents: Luciano Antonio – Brazilian Holiday Sounds
📍 Main Library | 🕧 12:30–1:30 PM

💫 All activities are geared toward children ages 0–5, unless otherwise noted. Some events may require registration.

👉 For more details, visit www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

Wishing you a week filled with learning, light, and special family moments 💛

12/13/2025

See you tomorrow!!!!!!

❄️📚 Get Ready for a Cozy Winter Morning of Fun! 📚❄️
The Evanston Early Childhood Council invites YOU and your little ones to our Cozy Winter Reading – Family Fun Event!
✨ Saturday, December 13th | 10AM–1PM
📍 Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave, Evanston, IL
Join us for a magical winter morning filled with:
📖 Storytime for young children
🎨 Winter-themed crafts
🍪 Cookie decorating activity
☕ Hot cocoa & cookies to keep everyone warm
📚 A pop-up bookstore + FREE books from Young, Black & Lit!
⭐ Special appearance by local children’s author Karla Valenti!
This FREE community event is the perfect way for families to celebrate reading, creativity, and winter wonder! Bundle up the kiddos and come enjoy laughter, learning, and festive fun with us. ❄️💙
We can’t wait to see you there!
❄️ 🎉 📖☕ 🌟 🏡 🏙️ 🍪 📚 📖 🌱 📚 ✨

12/10/2025

Save the date! Join Chabad of Evanston for the annual Public Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 16, at 5:30PM at Fountain Square. This year’s celebration will be joined by Mayor Daniel Biss and Councilmember Burns, and other dignitaries who will offer greetings and help light the new 15-foot Menorah in honor of the Chanukah holiday. Enjoy live music performances, an LED robot show, a balloon artist, traditional Chanukah treats, and more! The event is free and open to the public.

12/09/2025

Santa’s Mailbox is OPEN! The North Pole has officially activated its Evanston mailbox! Kids can drop their letters to Santa now through December 14th at Chandler-Newberger Community Center.
Want a letter back from the Big Guy himself? Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope inside your note before you send it off!
Chandler-Newberger Community Center
1028 Central St., Evanston