The Des Plaines History Center will begin its annual Afternoon Adventures summer program on June 11. The program will be held on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in the in Visitor Center, 781 Pearson Street.

No registration is necessary; families can drop in any time. The program is geared toward children ages 5-12, and an adult must accompany children. Afternoon Adventures is free for Historical Society members and $1.00 per child for non-members.

June 11: Stained Glass Windows

Create your own stained glass design and display it on the windows of the History Center or at home.

June 18: Leaves and Trees

Learn about some local trees by decorating colorful leaves on special paper.

June 25: Make Your Own Ice Cream

Make old fashioned ice cream using a coffee can.

July 2: Patriotic Bubble Wands

Make a star shaped bubble wand with patriotic decorations.

July 9: Candle Dipping

Learn to make candles the same way pioneer children did more than 150 years ago.

July 16: Ancient Egyptian Art

Ancient Egyptians used special jars called canopic jars when they made mummies. Make a miniature version during this program.

July 23: Create a Night Sky

Make a real or imagined constellation and project it on the ceiling with a flashlight.

July 30: Presidential Button Making

Pretend you are running for president and make your own campaign button to wear.

August 6: Animal Tracks Mystery

Be a nature sleuth and identify animal tracks hidden around the History Center, then make a plaster cast of your favorite track.

August 13: Build a Log Cabin

Use special sticks to build your own miniature pioneer-style log cabin.

August 20: Make Your Own Lava Light

Make your own version of this 1960's/1970's fad using a bottle, flashlight and a few simple ingredients.