Create an unforgettable birthday party at one of our many Park District locations and leave the planning and mess to us! Parties are filled with different activities to suit many ages and interests.
NATURE CENTER
Our Birthday Party Programs are 2.5 hours and consist of 15 minutes for set-up, a 1 hour instructor lead program, 1 hour of "free time" for gifts and cake (not provided) and 15 minutes for cleanup.
Fee: $140 (includes up to 15 participants). Each additional guest will be charged $6 at the time of the party. We kindly request a two week notice. Please call the Nature Center to schedule your party.
FOSSIL FIND
If you like dinosaurs and other ancient creatures, then you are going to "dig" this party. You and your guests will examine real fossils, discover facts about dinosaurs and learn how paleontologists dig for fossils, and can take one home with you!
ANIMAL kingdom
Come discover the wonderful kingdom of animals with us! Pretend you are one of these amazing creatures as we play a game, search for something walking or crawling on a guided hike, and learn about the wide world of creatures that share our planet with us. You may even meet one of the residents of the Nature Center up close! Have a favorite animal or insect? Share your love of it with us!
CAMPFIRE CAPERS
Enjoy a wood crackling campfire with your friends while singing songs, telling stories and eating s'mores. You'll have a "roaring" time as you learn different techniques of starting fires and how to make a safe campfire. End the program by learning a little bit about the forest with a guided hike through the woods!
NATURE TOTS
We will begin with a story of your choosing. Then, we will then do an activity and a craft based on the story read. Some of our favorite stories are Bear Hunt, Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar, Ginko and Moon, Stellaluna and more! If your tot has a favorite story we would love to craft a party around it! Unsure which story to choose? Let us help by selecting one of our favorites.
explorer
Explore the world with us! Whether you are searching for treasure or trying to discover a new species this party will bring out the adventurer in you! Learn some tools and tricks of the trade and find your way through our forest with your new skills. Finish by putting your skills to the test with a challenge and find out some of the rewards adventurers can find along the way.
WOODLAND FAIRIES
We'll learn secrets about woodland fairies and explore the woods to see if we can find them! Along the way we will discover a fairy house and other surprises. We'll use what we learn to make an age appropriate fairy craft.
Magical World Birthday Party
Calling all witches and wizards! Join us for a magical time preparing potions and learning spells. Each spell caster will create their own magical item to take home with them. Come have a sorcer-ous day with us on your special day!
LIPPOLD FAMILY GOLF CENTER
Birthday parties may be booked May-September.
Party Time |
Party Includes |
Fee Per Person |
Bogey Party |
18 holes of mini golf |
$4 per person |
Birdie Party |
18 holes of mini golf, pizza and bottle of soda or water |
$9 per person |
Birthday parties may be booked May-September.
All parties require adult supervision. Parties are held on either of the two mini-golf courses (Sports 'n Courts or Tees 'n Greens.) In the event of bad weather, the party will move inside. Outside decorations are welcome, but no outside food or drink (other than cake) is allowed. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve your date, please contact us at 815.477.5401.
COLONEL PALMER HOUSE
For 1.5 hours, the historic Colonel Palmer House staff will host you and your guests as we celebrate your birthday Victorian-era style. Luncheon includes seasonal fruit, three finger sandwiches, and three delectable desserts (cake not provided) and of course, tea! Victorian dining etiquette will be presented and lively parlor games will be played. Party times available on Saturdays and Sundays. Maximum 25 guests.
Fee: $140 (1-15 participants), $6 each additional person (25 max)
To reserve your party, please contact the Colonel Palmer House Facility Manager at 815.477.5873 or staylor@crystallakeparks.org.
THE RACKET CLUB
Bring your guests to the area's most premier tennis facility. Our newly renovated courts and spacious lounge provides a great backdrop for any celebration. Tennis courts may be reserved indoors or outdoors (weather permitting.) Tennis pros are available to guide fun instruction and games for your party goers. No membership is required.
Fees:
$10/hour outdoor hard courts
$15/hour outdoor clay courts
$15/hour indoor hard courts
$20/hour lounge fee
Additional PARTY ROOMS
The Crystal Lake Park District maintains many unique rooms to host your special event:
- Grand Oaks Recreation Center
- Main Beach Pavilion & Band Shell
- West Beach Party Room & Patio/Deck
- Spoerl Park Building
- Woodscreek Building
- Rotary Building
- Oakwoods Lodge
Latest News
- Sep 22 Lippold Park Seal Coating Project Updates-Week of Sept 25
- Sep 19 Registration Open for Girls & Boys Basketball Leagues
- Sep 15 Fishing Line Recycling Receptacles a Success
- Sep 11 Two NEW Workshops for Adults
- Sep 07 NEW Programs & Events at Colonel Palmer House
- Sep 03 Enroll Now for Fall Session of Dance
- Sep 03 Social Dance Nights at Grand Oaks Plus Line Dancing Class & Couples Social Dance
- Sep 02 Youth Athletics Classes Begin Sept 9
- Sep 01 Women's Golf Clinic Begins Sept 3 at Lippold Family Golf Center
- Aug 21 Snake Study Update-a collaboration with McHenry County College Biology Students
- Aug 21 Online Registration Down for Upgrades Tu, Aug 22 at 3 pm-Wed, Aug 23
- Aug 15 Fall 2023 Registration Now Open
- Aug 11 It's A GO-Caddyshack is ON for Tonight, Fri Aug 11
- Aug 02 Community Input Survey-Della Street Park Renovations plus Community Input Meeting on Aug 16
- Jul 26 Caddyshack-Movie in the Park on Aug 11-Costume Contest Added to the Event
- Jul 25 Additional Date Added to Crystal Lake Park District Concert in the Park Schedule
- Jul 25 Public Invited to Peter Pan Jr Performance by Musical Theatre Camp
- Jul 24 July/August Programs at Colonel Palmer House
- Jul 14 Group Sailing Lessons Begin July 24
- Jul 14 Summer Hapkido and Women’s Self Defense Clinic
- Jul 07 July/August Nature Center Programs & Events
- Jul 05 Cops N Bobbers Gary Svejcar Fishing Derby for Kids on July 30
- Jul 05 Women’s Self Defense Clinic on July 22
- Jul 04 Crystal Lake Park District Adult Camp (21+)
- Jul 03 Swim Lessons Sess 2 begin July 10
- Jul 03 Save the Date-Sat, Jul 15, to UNPLUG After Dark at Veteran Acres
- Jun 29 Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy the Crystal Lake Parade and Fireworks Celebration
- Jun 27 Summer Tennis Lessons for Ages 5-Adult Session 3 begins Jul 17
- Jun 27 Crystal Lake Fireworks Info Plus Wristband Pre-Purchase Info
- Jun 26 FREE Summer Sing-A-Longs on June 28 & July 15
- Jun 25 Positive Pebbles Kits Available at the Administrative Office
- Jun 08 NEW Event! Aloha Summer Sunset Celebration on June 9
- Jun 01 Crystal Lake Park District Concerts in the Park Kicks off May 30
- May 27 2023 Beach Operations-Main Beach Opens Sat, May 27
- May 05 Registration Open for Summer 2023
- Apr 24 Thank You Crystal Lake Park District Volunteers!
- Apr 10 Lippold Family Golf Center Open for Season
- Apr 06 Limited Number of Community Garden Plots Available
- Apr 05 Line Dancing Class & Social Ballroom Class plus Social Dance Nights
- Apr 04 Spots Filling Quickly for Summer Camp 2023-Register Today!
- Apr 04 Crystal Lake Park District Nature Offers Spring Programs for Tots-Adults
- Mar 15 Crystal Lake Park District Awarded Urban and Community Forestry Grant for Tree Planting
- Mar 08 Crystal Lake Park District Awarded 2022 Government Award from the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
- Mar 07 Crystal Lake Park District Awarded $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant for Development of Park on Haligus Road
- Mar 06 Social Dance Nights March 10, April 22, May 19
- Mar 06 Paint Nites and Watercolor Painting
- Mar 06 Crystal Lake Park District Announces Spring Firewood Sale on March 18
- Feb 27 Update Regarding Northwestern Medicine Healthcare Crystal Lake Fitness Center and the Crystal Lake Park District
- Feb 22 Highlight the Night Son Date Night on April 28
- Feb 22 Mother Daughter Tea at Colonel Palmer House on April 30
- Feb 22 Four Winds Casino Trip and Land of Lincoln Trip Still Have Limited Spots Available
- Feb 22 New Sessions of Youth Athletics Beginning Feb 27 and Apr 24
- Feb 21 EVP Spring Break Volleyball Camp Mar 27-30
- Feb 19 Register NOW for Summer Camp!
- Feb 15 Next Session of Little Medical School Veterinarian Programs Begins March 24
- Feb 15 Summer 2023 Seasonal Jobs-NOW HIRING
- Feb 13 Register Now for Puzzle Palooza on March 19
- Feb 07 Valentine/Galentine Zumba Party Scheduled for Feb 10
- Jan 20 NEW! Galentine's Day Brunch with the Crystal Lake Park District
- Jan 20 Dates Nights for Sons and Daughters in Feburary and April
- Jan 19 Limited Spots Still Available for this Season's Adult Trips
- Jan 17 Willows Edge Park Invasive Brush Clearing Efforts Underway
- Jan 16 Snowbird Softball Tourney Team Registration Due by Jan 27
- Jan 15 EVP & Crystal Lake Park District Host Snow Volleyball Tournament
- Jan 02 Register by Jan 6 for Boys Basketball League
- Dec 23 Free Holiday Light Recycling thru December 30
- Dec 22 Winter Spring Activity Guide Available and Registration is Opens Dec 9
- Dec 07 Send Us Your Letter to Santa by December 9
- Dec 05 Holiday Break Camps for Youth and Teens
Upcoming Events
- Sep 24 Sterne’s Woods & Fen Volunteer Work Day Sternes Woods, 5617 Hilliside Rd, Crystal Lake
- Sep 24 Cycling Without Age for Seniors Dole Mansion
- Oct 05 Committee of the Whole Meeting Administrative Bldg, 1 E. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake
- Oct 08 Cycling Without Age for Seniors Dole Mansion
- Oct 08 Pioneering Merit Badge Workshop Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake
- Oct 09 Admin Office Closed
- Oct 09 Pickleball Fall Classic Spoerl Pickleball Courts, 7610 Pingree Road
- Oct 12 Magic Rotary Building, 431 N. Walkup, Crystal Lake
- Oct 13 CL Historical Society Lunch & Learn-Known as Swedenberg Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake
- Oct 14 Henrietta's Harvest Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake
Interested in signing up?
Look at our Program Guide