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 |
|
$5 R/$8 NR |
Birdie Party |
|
$12 R/$15 NR |
All parties require adult supervision. Parties are held on either of the two mini-golf courses. 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
Fee: $150 (1-15 participants), $6 each additional person (25 max) 2 hours
Each party includes kid-friendly tea sample and one petite snack.
To reserve your party, please contact the Colonel Palmer House Facility Manager at 815.477.5873 or staylor@crystallakeparks.org.
Tea for Tots (Ages 2-5)
After an enchanting storybook teatime tale, we'll make a unique Victorian craft and learn the beginning stages of etiquette through a series of fun historic games and dances. If the weather permits, we will have a picnic.
Folklore Fables (Ages 6+)
Legends speak of mythical creatures that have existed for thousands of years. Unveil the history behind some of our favorite tales and their popularity during the Victorian era. Through the art of storytelling and games, you'll have everything you need to craft a unique rendition of your favorite fantasy world.
Palmer's Parlor Puzzles (Ages 6+)
Strategy, critical thinking, and problem solving are just a few of the skills needed when you enter a Victorian puzzle. Through a series of historical games and theatrical dialogue of your favorite characters, explore what it takes to solve a mystery at The Colonel Palmer House.
Early Inventions (Ages 6+)
Learn the history behind some of the most renowned inventions of all time. As you discover what life was like during the Industrial Revolution, design a model of your favorite creation.
The Green Kingdom (Ages 6+)
There is said to be a language behind the origin of flowers and stories about their native land. Learn the history behind popular blooms and how they were used during the Victorian era. From the most eloquent gardens to natural habitats, find out how to craft a keepsake of your favorite plants.
A Collection of Curiosities (Ages 6+)
Discover the history behind some of the most extraordinary collections of all time. While you show and tell some of your favorite treasures, receive an exclusive tour of rare archives prevalent to the Victorian era.
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
- Oct 07 Firewood Sale Nov 2-Make Your Reservation Today!
- Oct 06 Fall Session 2 Hot Shots Sports Begins Oct 28
- Oct 03 Crystal Lake Park District Park Board of Commissioner Election Petition Packets Available-Filing Period Nov 12-18
- Sep 26 Lippold Park Family Golf Center Closes for the Season on Sun, Sep 29
- Sep 25 Name Announced for NEW Crystal Lake Park District Park
- Sep 23 Practice Begins Oct 8 for Girls Basketball Leagues-Register Today!
- Sep 13 Flannel Fest Pre-Sale Tickets Available Until Fri, Sep 20
- Sep 06 Splash Pads to Remain Open Thru Sep 16
- Sep 04 Fall Session 1 of Baby Rock, Tot Rock and Kids Rock Begins Sept 10
- Sep 04 Weekend Only Hours Through Sept 29 at Lippold Family Golf Center
- Sep 01 Fall Fitness and Yoga Classes Begin Sep 4
- Sep 01 Fall Yoga Classes Begin Soon
- Sep 01 Hot Shot Sports Classes Begin Sep 10
- Aug 30 Fall Dance Programs Begin Sept 5
- Aug 29 Labor Day Weekend Hours-Facilities & Admin Office
- Aug 20 FREE, Family Fun with Palmer's Pickings on Aug 24
- Aug 12 Rosie and the Rivets Rebooked for Aug 13 after Concert in the Park Rainout
- Aug 12 Limited Spots Available for Sunset Wine & Cheese Social on Aug 21
- Aug 09 Vote for Your Favorite Park Name-Aug 8-Aug 16
- Aug 07 End of Season Main Beach Swim Area Operations Update
- Jul 31 Flannel Fest Tickets On Sale Now
- Jul 30 Still Time to Complete the July & August Agents of Discovery Missions
- Jul 24 Last Chance to Register for Group Golf Lessons for Juniors, Men and Women
- Jul 09 'Name Your Park' Contest Entries Due by July 15
- Jul 08 NEW Event-Luau Line Dance Night for Adults on July 12 at Main Beach
- Jul 07 Enroll Now for Summer Tennis Lessons
- Jul 01 Crystal Lake Park District Facility Hours of Operation July 4-July 7
- Jun 28 Sterne's Woods and Fen Restoration Efforts Featured in National Recreation and Parks Magazine
- Jun 27 Summer Sing-a-Long with the Crystal Lake Strikers on Sat, Jun 29 moved to Crystal Lake South High School Auditorium
- Jun 24 Home of the Brave Heritage Fest on June 29 at Colonel Palmer House
- Jun 20 We Need 3 Additional Teams for Baggo League at Main Beach
- Jun 04 Concerts in the Park at Main Beach Begins May 28
- Jun 03 Enroll Now for Summer Session of Dance Classes
- Jun 02 Tot Programs Begin Soon
- Jun 01 Nature Center Grand Re-Opening on June 1
- Jun 01 Tickets on Sale for Into the Woods Jr
- May 24 Splash Pads Open for Season on May 25
- May 24 Swim Lessons at Main Beach with the Crystal Lake Park District Swim School
- May 24 Sailing Lesson Sessions Available June-July
- May 23 Enrolling Now Summer Martial Arts Classes
- May 20 Main & West Beach Operations-Main Beach Opens for Season on May 25
- May 18 NEW Opportunity Just for 6-8th Graders-Aloha Summer Teen Luau
- May 15 Seeking Performers for Teen Talent Show at Main Beach on June 21
- May 08 Social Dance Night- Tango & West Coast Swing on May 17
- May 03 Summer Registration Now Open
- Apr 29 The Cottage Donates Towards Summer Day Camp Scholarships
- Apr 25 The Racket Club Outdoor Courts Grand Opening Celebration on Sat, Apr 27
- Apr 24 Crystal Lake Park District Summer Day Camp Recognized as One of America's Best
- Apr 03 FREE, Drop In Solar Eclipse Special Event at Nature Center on April 8
- Apr 03 Spring Adult Softball League Play Begins April 22
- Apr 02 Dance, Sing & Play in Crystal Lake Park District Final Spring Session of Tot Programs
- Apr 02 Proposed Budget FY 2024-2025 on Display
- Apr 02 Batting Cages at Lippold Park Now Open for Season
- Mar 28 Important Information for Crystal Lake Boaters-Decals, Boat Launch Key Fobs, Dry Storage Spots Available for Purchase Apr 1
- Mar 14 Project Update: New Park on Haligus Rd in Lakewood
- Mar 12 Pickleball and Tennis Courts Open Early for the Season!
- Mar 10 Community Garden Plots Available at the Crystal Lake Park District
- Mar 07 Spoerl Park Playground Closed for Playground Surface Installation
- Mar 07 Last Chance to Register for Women's Self Defense Worksshop on Mar 23
- Mar 06 Limited Spots Still Available for Springtime Tea at Colonel Palmer House
- Mar 04 Spring Firewood Sale on March 16-Reserve Today!
- Mar 01 Crystal Lake Park District Receives OSLAD Grant for Della St Park Renovation
- Mar 01 Crystal Lake Park District Receives Illinois Parks and Recreation GameTime/PlayCore Grant for Haligus Park Playground
- Feb 08 Crystal Lake Park District Digital Camp Guide is Live
- Feb 07 Natural Resource Management Project Underway at Veteran Acres
- Feb 06 2nd Annual Galentine’s Day Brunch on Feb 11
- Feb 05 Social Dance Nights and Dance Lessons for Adults at the Crystal Lake Park District
- Feb 05 Registration Now Open for Barlina House Preschool 2024-2025 School Year
- Jan 28 Family Winter Mini Golf Event at Lippold Family Golf Center-CANCELLED
- Jan 18 Natural Resource Management Project Underway at Winding Creek Park and Bike Path
- Jan 12 Monday Memory-The 1935-1950 Tobaggan Slide at Lake Park (now Main Beach)
- Jan 08 Reg by Jan 19 for the Snowbird Softball Tournament
- Jan 08 Limited Spots Still available for Hearts & Artists, A Valentine’s Tea at Colonel Palmer House
- Jan 07 Natural Resource Management Project at Sterne's Woods and Fen
- Jan 04 Tot-Teen Dance Classes Featuring a Spring Recital Begin Jan 8
- Jan 04 New sessions of Crystal Lake Park District Group Fitness and Yoga classes begin in Jan 8
- Jan 04 Enrolling Now Winter Spring Martial Arts Classes including Pre-Karate, Shotokan Karate and Hapkido
- Jan 02 Crystal Lake Park District Offers Free Holiday Light Recycling through Jan 15
- Dec 15 Winter/Spring Activity Guide Registration Now Open
- Dec 14 Natural Resource Management Project Underway at Woodscreek Park
- Dec 07 Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy with Crystal Lake Park District Gift Cards
- Dec 07 Nature Center Temporarily Closed For Exhibit Remodeling
- Dec 06 Limited Spots Still available for A Norman Rockwell Tea on Dec 16 & 17
- Dec 04 2nd/3rd & 4th/5th Grade Boys Basketball League-Registration deadline Jan 5
- Nov 21 Enroll Now for Hapkido Starting on Nov 29
- Nov 21 Luminaria Walk at Veteran Acres Nov 29-Dec 2
- Nov 07 Haligus Road Park Design Update Meeting on Nov 8
- Nov 07 Dog Obedience Begins Nov 22
- Nov 07 November Youth/Teen Variety Classes
- Nov 01 Protect Yourself From Scams & Burglaries Workshop on Nov 10
- Nov 01 Grand Oaks Walking Club 2023
- Oct 26 Register Now for Puzzle Palooza on Nov 5
- Oct 24 Fall Firewood Sale on Nov 4-Stock Up for Your Fall Bonfires!
- Oct 16 Plan to Attend the Hill Farm Park Community Input Meeting on Oct 24
- Oct 13 Free Family Fun at Truck or Treat on Sat, Oct 28
- Oct 11 Book at Wagon Ride Through Sterne's Woods
- Oct 10 Henrietta's Harvest-CANCELED due to inclement weather
- Oct 04 Social Dance Nights at Grand Oaks Plus Line Dancing Class & Couples Social Dance
- Oct 03 NEW Programs & Events at Colonel Palmer House
- Oct 02 Lippold Park Seal Coating Project Updates-Week of Oct 2
- Sep 19 Registration Open for Girls & Boys Basketball Leagues
- Sep 15 Fishing Line Recycling Receptacles a Success
- Sep 03 Enroll Now for Fall Session of 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 Online Registration Down for Upgrades Tu, Aug 22 at 3 pm-Wed, Aug 23
- Aug 21 Snake Study Update-a collaboration with McHenry County College Biology Students
- Aug 15 Fall 2023 Registration Now Open
- Aug 15 Crystal Lake Park District Named Com Ed Green Region Grant Recipient
- 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
- Oct 17 Elements Workshop-Living:Fire West Beach, 2330 Lake Ave, Crystal Lake
- Oct 18 Palmer's Programs-Askutasquash! Crystal Lake South High School
- Oct 18 Yoga and Wine Social Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake
- Oct 18 Zumba GLOW Party Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake
- Oct 19 Palmer's Programs-Pickling & Canning-Jam vs Jelly Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake
- Oct 19 Nature Tots-Explore and Experiement: Paper Makers Nature Center, 330 N. Main St, Crystal Lake
- Oct 24 Elements Workshop-Breath: Air West Beach, 2330 Lake Ave, Crystal Lake
- Oct 26 Truck or Treat Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake
- Oct 26 Tea Fest Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake
- Nov 01 Senior Baton Twirling Party Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake