Sports Saturdays give children a chance to play

The Fox Valley Park District has partnered with six schools in Aurora and North Aurora to offer its traditionally popular Sports Saturdays program.

Free to resident families with children in first through fifth grades, Sports Saturdays provide a supervised environment for children to interact and participate in activities that include sports, crafts and general fitness.

"Sports Saturdays are an opportunity for kids to get out of the house and do what they love most - play," said recreation supervisor Rafael Martinez, who oversees the program.

"They'll get a chance to take part in a whole bunch of different sports, and it also gives parents a couple hours of free time while their kids are enjoying themselves in a safe and supervised setting."

Sports Saturdays take place Saturdays, Jan. 9 to Feb. 27, concurrently at six elementary schools around the area: Bardwell, Hermes, Oak Park, Hall and McCleery in Aurora, along with Schneider in North Aurora.

Resident children can register on-site and participate in the activities at any school, and even visit a different school each week.

Children in first and second grades have dibs on the morning hours from 9 a.m. to noon, while older children have their time from noon to 3 p.m.

"It's similar to open gym, but park district instructors are on hand to teach and assist," Martinez said. "It's a great opportunity for kids to get away from their electronic devices and just enjoy the pure fun of active play."

Sports include baseball, basketball, floor hockey, soccer and other high-energy activities.

For information, visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.