Fall Playful Neighborhood Programs
Playing and exploring outside in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago.
In Playful Neighborhood programs, creative outside play is encouraged through simple suggestions and open-ended supplies. The Play Guide encourages small groups of children to interact, communicate and negotiate among each other.
Programs are all outdoors and therefore will occur weather permitting. Playful Neighborhood encourages children to play outdoors in almost all types of weather, developing children's resiliency and acknowledging the pure joy that can be found when playing in the rain or snow. However, we will not meet if there is a storm or if temperatures are below 15 degrees.
If you are looking to play occasionally, join us on the days that work for you. Kids will explore, discover and play outside together in a small group.
Fridays, 3:30-5:30pm
Grades 1-4 (and 5th graders willing to be helpers)
September 30 - Recycle and Create
Let’s create using recycled materials! We will provide a variety of materials and tools for children to build, manipulate and imagine.
October 28 - Spooky Nature
Explore the fun and spooky side of nature; creepy crawlies, potions and more.
November 4 - Theatre Games
Join us to explore and experience some improv exercises, character creation and more. Halloween costumes and props welcome.
November 11 - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
We will solve a neighborhood hunt together, following clues and visiting neighborhood businesses.
After School
Playful Drop-In Fridays
Weekend Playful Drop-In
If you are looking to play occasionally, join us on the days that work for you. Kids will explore, discover and play outside together in a small group.
November 5, 1:00-4:00pm - Autumn Nature Walk
Grades K-4, 5th grade helpers
Explore and play in the woods. We’ll explore the wonderful changes in the trees, plants, animals and river that occur in the fall.
DAYS OFF SCHOOL
Longer outdoor explorations are offered on the following days off school. A snack will be provided, but children should bring their own packed lunch. The location will be chosen closer to each date.
All Days Off School programs will run from 9am-2pm.
Wednesday, October 5 (Private schools)
Monday, October 10 (CPS and Private schools)
Friday, October 21 (Chicago Public Schools)
Tuesday, November 8 (Chicago Public Schools)
The Playful Neigborhood After School Clubs put a twist on the "playworker" model that was developed in the U.K. and exists in some places in the United States. Playworkers work to supervise children and support, but not direct, their play. These Playworkers work mostly in Adventure Playgrounds. We do not have this type of playground in our area, but we do have several parks, standard playgrounds, and open spaces within walking distance. These spaces have the potential to provide kids with abundant opportunities for unstructured outside play. If given more time and some supervision, a group of children can pretend, build, move, experiment, and invent games together.