Illinois Metro East
Dine with Anna and Elsa
Your little ones are invited to attend a festive dining event with Frozen's Anna and Elsa. Join in the merriment with lunch, singing, dancing and a keepsake photo with the queen and princess!
This event takes place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31, and on Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14.
Cost is $22.50 per person. At Eckert Farms in Belleville.
Learn more and register at eckerts.com
Dine with Anna and Elsa, Meet Olaf and Sven
Bring your best wintery cheer to this festive dining experience with Anna and Elsa from Frozen! You'll have lunch, enjoy singing and dancing and get to take a keepsake photo with the Anna and Elsa. Then meet and take photos with Olaf and Sven.
Gingerbread House Workshop
For those who have always longed to build a gingerbread house but were 
intimidated by the thought, here is your chance to create a beautiful display for the holidays.
Supplies and guidance will be provided. You provide the creativity! For all ages. Cost is $14 per gingerbread house.
Workshops are held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Country Store at Eckert's in Bellville.
Chip off the Old Block Ice Carving
See artisans create one-of-a-kind ice sculptures including the American Bald Eagle. Watch Chip Off the Old Block demonstrate how to create an eagle ice sculpture that will be on display until it's melted.
12 to 2 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford, Illinois. Free.
More information: confluencetower.com
Discovery Day: Trees
Kids of all ages will learn about common trees at this free Discovery Day at the Watershed Nature Center. Then they'll make leaf sun catchers with colorful leaves, tree bark rubbings, examine leaf anatomy and tree rings, sort leaves and seeds and more.
Discovery Day: Creatures of the Night
Kids of all ages will learn about owls, bats and spiders at this free Discovery Day at Watershed Nature Center. Visitors will disect owl pellets, learn about owl body part, build a spider and play a spider web game.
10 a.m. to noon. Free, but tickets are required.
For more information and tickets: watershednaturecenter.org
Family Hike and Play Day
Bring your whole family to learn, explore and play on the farm at Family Hike and Play Day at Willoughby Farm. Explore the nature trails and then enjoy games around the farm yard.
Cost is $2 per person with a maximum of $10 per family.
