Halloween Celebration for Des Plaines Kids

A daylong series of Halloween activities has been lined up for Des Plaines’ youngest residents by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines History Center, the Des Plaines Park District and the Des Plaines Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The big Halloween celebration kicks off with a costume parade in Metropolitan Square in downtown Des Plaines. At the “Safe Saturday Halloween” kids will be given trick-or-treat bags with prizes inside, and will have an opportunity to trick or treat at participating businesses throughout the city following the parade until 2 p.m.

Once everyone is revved up on Sweet Tarts, Snickers bars and Mike-and-Ike’s, all are invited to the Des Plaines History Center, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to decorate sugar skulls and learn about Dia de los Muertos, a holiday celebrated in Mexico on Nov. 1.

To make the sugar skulls, which are a tradition in Mexico, a meringue-type powder is added to a sugar mixture, and it bind it together in a way so that it can be molded into shapes, said Shari Caine, executive director of the history center. She said the annual event is always a big hit.

“I think people are surprised by how fun it is to do this activity,” Caine said.

Caine said the Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls activity definitely tied together with the Halloween theme.

“It’s just fun and interesting to look at holidays around the world, especially other cultures that come here to live, and this is one of them,” Caine said. And it is interesting, and kids just love decorating the skulls.”

“Spooktacular” crafts sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District will be made at the library from 1-3 p.m., and at 3 p.m. the library will host the Magic and Illusion of Paul Lee & Company.

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