Thanks to Champaign Country Forest Preserve District Museum Of The Grand Prairie for sponsoring our Weekend Planner.
The Discovery Room has been one of the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s most popular museum spaces for a long time – join them as they unveil this newly renovated exhibit space! Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the idea of home by discovering the homes of settlers and native peoples through many interactive and educational exhibit sections. At this exhibit opening event, you will be able to partake in household activities with a historical twist, listen to tales of home from a professional storyteller, see and touch a real live horse and buggy from Merrybeth Farm Carriage Service, create arts & crafts centered on the idea of home, and many other hands-on activities. For more information, click here.
For many of us, this is the last weekend before school is out. While the school year is winding down, the summer fun is just starting to wind up in Champaign-Urbana!
Thanks again to Champaign County Forest Preserve District Museum of the Grand Prairie for sponsoring this edition of our Weekend Planner.
Our picks for the weekend:
What: Playing It Safe
Where: Leonard Recreation Center, Champaign
When: Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: A favorite event to kick off the summer! Come out for a day of family safety education, including games, entertainment, child identification kits, prizes, inflatables and more. Between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the first 1,500 guests will receive a free sample sandwich from Jimmy John’s. Look for chambanamoms in attendance at this event!
What: Vehicle Day Touch a Truck at Rantoul Public Library
Where: Rantoul Public Library, Rantoul
When: Saturday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
How much: FREE, no registration required
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Learn about and play on vehicles of all types at Rantoul Public Library. There will be a variety of activities such as Alpha Dog laser tag, face painting, crafts and coloring, story times, and also the food vendors Tk’s Cheesesteaks and Schwans. Items in the Friends of the Library book sale will be discounted to $2 a bag during this event.
What: Ribbon Cutting for Savoy Free Little Libraries
Where: Colbert Park, Savoy
When: Saturday, May 18, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Come to a ribbon cutting ceremony at Colbert Park for the new Little Free Library opening. There will be family-friendly activities, book giveaways, and refreshments. There will also be a special appearance by The Cat in the Hat! For more on Colbert park, see our post.
What: Exhibit Opening: Discovering Home
Where: Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet
When: Saturday, May 18, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Come and go as you please during program hours.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages, Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Why you should go: A new exhibit at a favorite museum! Explore this newly renovated exhibit space at the Museum of the Grand Prairie! Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the idea of home by discovering the homes of settlers and native peoples through many interactive and educational exhibit sections. Hands-on Activities and Arts & Crafts: 1-4 p.m. Horse Show & Tell from Merrybeth Farms Carriage Service: 1-3 p.m. Storytelling Performances: 1:30, 2:00, and 2:30 p.m.
What: Summer Reading Kick-Off: It’s Showtime at Your Library!
Where: Urbana Free Library
When: Saturday, May 18, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: Kick off summer reading with a party! Come dance and move to Zecca Bom. Channel your inner musician with one of the instruments from the Library’s music equipment collections. Then sport a fancy costume with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ mobile photo booth. Enjoy crafts and free ice cream, and don’t forget to sign-up for summer reading! It’s Showtime!
What: Get Curious! Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Where: Champaign Public Library
When: Sunday, May 19, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: It’s an all-ages community celebration— with Curiosity Stations, face painting, balloon art, DIY Kids crafts, and more!
What: Sounds at Sunset Concert Series
Where: Clark Park, Champaign
When: Sunday May 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
How much: FREE
Appropriate for: All ages
Why you should go: This summer, gather your friends, family, and neighbors as we host the Sounds at Sunset events throughout Champaign. The concert at Clark Park features The Painkillers. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs, picnic, and bug spray!
For more events, as always, check our Champaign-Urbana family-friendly events calendar, presented by Busey Bank.
The post Champaign-Urbana Weekend Planner May 17-19 Sponsored by Champaign County Forest Preserve District – Museum of the Grand Prairie appeared first on ChambanaMoms.com.