By Margaret Holler
Marketing and PR director of the Park Ridge Park District

Ring in the new year with the Park Ridge Park District. Your family can “Ice Scream into the New Year” on Thursday, December 29 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Maine Park Leisure Center. This new family-friendly event includes games, crafts, activities and New Year’s flair to wear. We’ll count down to the new year at noon, and then celebrate with an ice cream bar with all the toppings. Advanced registration is required.

Even if your family prefers to stay home for the New Year’s celebration, the Park District can supply you with everything you need to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023 with their “New Year’s Eve in a Box.” The box includes five party hats, noise makers, horns, party poppers, beads, a bottle of sparkling grape juice, champagne coupes, a family craft, supplies for a fun family science experiment, balloons and a game to play as a family.

Register in advance for a kit ($28 for residents; $38 non-residents), then pick up your box at the Maine Park Leisure Center on December 29 between 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

If you need a reason to get outside this winter, register for the Space Martian Scavenger Hunt to follow clues throughout the parks and Park District facilities from Jan. 14-22.

If you need a reason to get outside this winter, register for the Space Martian Scavenger Hunt to follow clues throughout the parks and Park District facilities from January 14-22. You will solve riddles and puzzles along your way to help catch all the mischievous martians and take them back to their spaceship.

Register online at prparks.org for $10 per family, and an email will be sent to you a few days before the start of the scavenger hunt with the starting location and other key information.

On February 25, the Maine Park Leisure Center will turn into a real-life Candyland trail! Play games, make crafts and collect candy as your make your way along the trail. It’s your favorite childhood game come to life. Advanced registration in required.

The Park Ridge Park District offers an extensive selection of programs, events and facilities for all ages. Visit prparks.org to learn more.