Kids Chicago - February 02, 2009

Wall Things to All Men

Art for Kids’ Rooms

Your kid turning cartwheels in the buck is cute. But his naked bedroom walls aren’t.

Fill in the blanks with affordable art for the under-10 set.

Chicago-based graphic design firm 3CD KidStuff creates limited-edition prints of colorful, cartoon-like images (animals, babies, letters) in archival ink.

For a pop art look, discover Edgewater muralist Liesl Lavery, whose mini paintings of zoo and farm animals won’t fail to charm (Sacred Art, 2040 West Roscoe Street, at Seeley Avenue; 773-404-8790).

Get personal with local fave Heather Gentile Collins. She customizes her nostalgic paintings of robots, planes, cars, and more with your child’s name (Fixture, 2108 West Roscoe Street, at Hoyne Avenue; 773-244-3100).

Can’t choose?

There’s room for them all.

JOT
Dr. Dolittle Story Writing Contest
What: Kids (first through fourth grades) submit a short work of fiction about a talking animal; the winner (and classmates) gets tickets to an Emerald City Theatre show.
Why: How do you Do?
When: By Feb. 27.
Where: Mail entries to Dr. Doolittle Story Writing Contest, Emerald City Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657.

DO
Frozen Fun Fest
What: Navigate a kid-size ice maze, play frozen versions of corn hole and ring toss, and build with ice blocks.
Why: Freeze the day.
When: Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Millennium Park, Michigan Ave., at Washington St. (877-244-2246).

REGISTER
Jump Ahead Academy Spring Classes
What: Get your kiddo on the list for gymnastics, trampoline, and circuit training lessons.
Why: Jump to it.
When: Apply today for sessions Mar. 2-May 30.
Where: 2260-2262 N. Clark St., at Belden Ave. Register online at jumpaheadacademy.com or call 773-857-5867.