Santa Visits with Special Needs Children in Chicagoland and Northern Illinois
When you talk about children with special needs you’ll find that covers a wide range of disabilities that can be mental, physical and so much more. Special needs children have many disorders to deal with. They can include such things as epilepsy, autism, blind and vision impairment, down syndrome, spina bifida, mitochondrial disorders, ADD/ADHD, and numerous other conditions little ones have to endure.
Kids with special needs not only require lots of physical care but also lots of love. It’s really difficult for parents of these children to have to stand in line and wait to see Santa Claus, so "special events" really fill a need. They serve every child, from those who may be mildly retarded to others with severe physical and mental disabilities. which is why these events give special meaning to Christmas and the Holiday Season.
While many malls don’t have specific Santa events planned for special needs children, if you call the mall management office normally you can make arrangements with them for visits for children or groups of children.
Photo courtesy Special Kids Day Events © 2010
Elmhurst
Santa at Special Kids Holiday Event
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Time: 3:30 pm - 8 pm
Sponsor: Special Kids Day Events
Event at: Wilder Mansion
211 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
www.specialkidsday.org
For additional information:
(630) 530-7700
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
Every year since 1990, on the first Wednesday in December about four hundred special needs children, with physical and developmental disabilities, and families are treated to a delightful afternoon and evening where they get to bond with Santa Claus. The children have their picture taken, receive specially selected and appropriate toys, enjoy cookies and ice cream and activities such as face painting, visits from clowns and other performers and activities. This event that has been growing in size and popularity every year. Santa at the Special Kids Holiday Event is a TOP 10 SANTA EVENT IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
Libertyville
Santa at Dickens of a Holiday for the
Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County
Saturday, December 10th 2011
Time: 1 pm - 4 pm
Sponsor: Special Recreation Association
of Central Lake County
Event at: Civic Center
135 Church Street
Libertyville, IL 60048
Note: Participants will meet at 1 pm at the SRACLC Office, 290 Oakwood Road, Vernon Hills and and dropped off at 4 pm at the SRACLC office.
For information: (847) 816-4866
sraclc.org
Cost: $12 Residents; $15 Non-residents
This event is for children, ages four to twelve with disabilities and their families who are members of the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC), serving residents of Grayslake, Hawthorn woods, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein and Vernon Hills. Enjoy a visit to the Dickens of a Holiday festival—a great place to do some Christmas shopping and then to see Santa Claus, for pictures and some hot chocolate.
Naperville
Santa at Special Needs Nights at Riverwalk in Naperville
Monday, December 5th through Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Time: 5 pm - 8 pm
Sponsor: Naperville Park District
Santa House location
Jackson Ave. & Webster St.
Naperville IL 60540
(along the Riverwalk)
www.napervilleparks.org
Advance reservations must be made: (630) 848-5000
Cost: FREE SANTA EVENT
One of the most important events at the Riverwalk Santa House is the Special Needs Nights. This is four evenings set aside for children with special needs and their families where they can visit Santa by appointment, so that there is no long wait. Santa and his helpers go all out to make this a special time for the children and their families. Space is limited and this event is very popular.