Evanston Early Childhood Council

11/03/2025

🍁 Hello November! 🍂
Welcome to a month full of family, fun, and fall adventures across Evanston. Here’s what’s happening the week of Monday, November 3 → Sunday, November 9 — bring your little ones and make some memories!

Monday, Nov 3
• Crown Storytime — Robert Crown Branch Library — 10:30–11:00 AM & 11:00–11:30 AM
• All By Myself! — Main Library — 11:00–11:45 AM

Tuesday, Nov 4
• Time for Twos — Main Library — 10:30–11:00 AM

Friday, Nov 7
• Mini Makers — PreK Story Time & Art Making — Art Makers Outpost — 10:00–11:00 AM

Saturday, Nov 8
• Saturday Storytime — Bookends & Beginnings — 11:00 AM

Sunday, Nov 9
• Puppets & Blocks Playtime! — Robert Crown Library — 4:00–6:00 PM

All activities are family-friendly and many are geared toward children 0–5 years old. Some programs require registration — please check details before you go.

For more information and updates, visit 👉 www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

10/29/2025

Following the tradition of our Fall Frenzy, this family-friendly event will celebrate the season and Dia de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) with music from DJ Corey Bless, face painting by A Hardy Party, and plenty of candy and crafts.

Date: Thursday, October 30
Time: 4-6 pm
Location: Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St.

Come dressed up, or come as you are- all are welcome.

10/29/2025

🎃 Halloween is almost here! Get your costumes ready for Evanston’s official trick-or-treat hours on Friday, October 31, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Before heading out to the neighborhoods, stop by the City’s Trunk or Treat event from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Robert Crown Community Center parking lot. Kids can trick-or-treat from City vehicles "dressed up" for Halloween. It’s a fun and safe way to kick off the celebration.

10/29/2025

See you tomorrow!!!

The Ecology Center is back and better than ever! 🌿🌲

Save the date for the grand reopening of the Evanston Ecology Center on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. at 2024 McCormick Blvd.

The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the renovated facility, and previews of upcoming programs, including the Indoor Farmers Market, a Wild Weekends animal presentation, Thanksgiving Break Camp, and more!

More info: bit.ly/3KNClmG

10/27/2025

👇

🍂🎃 Fall Fun to Wrap Up October in Evanston! 👻🧡

Evanston families — finish October with some fun, free, and low-cost events around town! Here’s what’s happening this week (October 27–31):

📅 Monday, October 27
📚 Hearts of Readers – 10:15–10:45 a.m. at Main Library
📖 Crown Storytime – 10:30–11:00 a.m. & 11:00–11:30 a.m. at Robert Crown Library

📅 Wednesday, October 29
🌿 Grand Reopening of the Evanston Ecology Center – 3:00 p.m. at 2024 McCormick Blvd
Celebrate the newly renovated Ecology Center with tours, family activities, and a ribbon cutting! 🌎✨

📅 Thursday, October 30
📚 Hearts of Readers – 10:15–10:45 a.m. at Main Library
📖 Crown Storytime – 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Robert Crown Library

📅 Friday, October 31
🚗🍬 Trunk or Treat – 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Robert Crown Community Center
Enjoy a safe and festive way to trick-or-treat with fun vehicles and plenty of candy! 🎉

🎃 Evanston Trick-or-Treating – 4:00–7:00 p.m. across the city
💀 Nightmare on Foster Street – 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center ($5 entry)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Don’t miss this week of fall fun and Halloween excitement!
Find more family events at 👉 www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

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! 🍁