TEAM BUILDING Kids get some hands-on experience.

Photo: Courtesy Chicago Architecture Foundation

It’s not exactly a news flash that kids like to build stuff. Legos, Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs are the literal building blocks of any toy chest. But the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is giving young engineers a new world of creative opportunity with its CAFamily Studio Sunday program.

CAF has long hosted formal kids’ programs for schools and scout troops. But the organization—best known for its grown-up walking tours of the city—wanted to develop a structured program for parents and their kids, ages 3–12, to explore real and pretend skylines together, says Jean Linsner, CAF’s vice president of youth education. So last month, the group unveiled a schedule of free, monthly programs—each based on a theme that includes a 20- to 40-minute, docent-led walking tour near its Santa Fe building headquarters (224 S Michigan Ave, 312-922-3432), plus three or four hands-on projects inside.

Linsner says she and her staff were surprised by the staying power kids exhibited at the first Studio Sunday in September’s “Construction Junction” themed event. Some families participated in the entire four-hour program, erecting buildings from toothpicks and marshmallows and discussing construction in the Loop. The mood was mellow, she says—more contemplative than frenzied.

The vibe might be a little more hyper on Sunday 19, when families get in the spirit of Halloween. The day starts with a tour of decorative ornamentation on nearby buildings, followed by a chance to design a costume for a building. Kids can also try on architecturally inspired costumes by artist Dennis Wise, including a Corinthian column and a Miró sculpture.

When they leave, families are given handouts with ideas for related projects to tackle on their own. Kids are encouraged to send in photos of their at-home creations, and future Studio Sunday works will be uploaded to Flickr.com. “It connects kids to the world,” Linsner says. “We live and work in a built environment.”

CAFamily Studio Sunday takes place the third Sunday of every month from 11am–3pm. The next one is Sunday 19. Go to architecture.org/cafamily.html for more info.