Buzzard Hall will once again be transformed into an eventful arts and crafts center for the annual Kids Day Out at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Doug Bower, the associate dean of education and professional studies, said the event has been going on twice a year for at least five years, and it is hosted by the Education Scholars.

Children ranging in age from preschool to sixth grade, as well as faculty, staff and students, spend half the day on campus playing games, learning new skills and participating in activities, Bower said.

Each year the event has a new theme, with previous years being “Monsters University” and “Despicable Me 2,” and “Rio 2.” This semester’s theme is “Looney Tunes featuring Space Jam,” which will allow the children to play puzzles and games centered on Tweety Bird.

Bower said last semester had 50 children and 62 volunteers, this semester will have 55 children and 68 volunteers.

He said a lot of the same children from the last event are coming back, which is not unusual.

Natalee Black, the office clerk for the dean of education office, said her 7-year-old son, Paul Sbrana, has been coming to Kids Day Out for the last three years.

Black said one of the best aspects is that there is always something new to enjoy.

She said she likes that Sbrana is able to see the fun side of college in terms of meeting new people and get out of his comfort zone.

Bower said one of the scientific activities will tie-in with “Space Jam “theme. Children will make use of templates and put them in front of a flashlight to make stars and constellations; the children will also be able to make rocket ships out of paper airplanes.

There will be a miniature golf course with plastic golf clubs and children can make masks of “Looney Tunes” characters. Bower said “Frozen” is really popular with young girls, but not so much with the boys, so they decided to go with a theme both genders would like.

Bower said students want to give service to their community.

“They just want to volunteer service to the community and experience working with kids—to have 60+ students give up their morning in late March/April is a big deal,” Bower said.

Roberto Hodge can be reached at 581-2812 or rlhodge@eiu.edu.