Board games are the theme for Kids and Friends Weekend starting today.

Chutes and Ladders represent the South Quad, Candyland is the theme for Carman Hall, Sorry! is the board game for the Triad and Pemberton Hall and Mouse Trap represents Lincoln, Stevenson and Douglas halls.

Planning started in October, as members of the Residence Hall Association programming committee tried to find an appropriate theme for all ages.

Events include a viewing of the movie “Planet 51” at 7 p.m. today in Buzzard Hall, pictures at 2 p.m. Saturday in front of McKinney and Andrews’ decorated windows and a performance by magician and escape artist Dan Martin at 7 p.m. Saturday in Thomas Dining Hall, among others.

The committee picked Martin because his act appeals to small children, college students and family members, and because he is rated as one of the best wcampus magicians in 2009.

“We worked with the housing department and they had a booklet of local magicians,” said Jodi Cluskey, head of the committee. “The committee picked the top three choices and went from there.”

Visitors will also have a chance to play video games like Rock Band, go through an obstacle course and play bingo.

Kids and Friends Weekend began four years ago and in the past, was called Little People’s Weekend and Siblings Weekend.

“It’s important for siblings to understand the collegiate role their brothers and sisters have,” said Temetria Hargett, resident director for Lawson Hall. “Little brothers and sisters hang under their siblings and look at them as their mentor, so this is a special weekend for them.”

Victoria Michels, a sophomore marketing major and Lawson Hall resident, said her boyfriend Andrew Brachear, has his 10-year-old cousin, Josh Schafer, coming into town and he is looking forward to seeing the movie and magician.

Cathy Brachear, Josh’s mother, said Josh loves participating in university events.

“He can find out what the future holds and hang out with his cousin – he adores his cousin,” Brachear said.

“Part of the weekend is being able to hang out with the people that see you and to show them around campus and show them what you do,” Michels said. “It’s important for kids and friends to see what their sister, brother or family friend does.”

About 15 siblings and their loved ones are registered, giving them a chance to see what collegiate role their siblings or other loved ones play.

The cut-off for registration is 4 p.m. today.

Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or haholm@eiu.edu