A week of things to do with the kids
Wednesday TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY: ‘PIRATE ADVENTURE ISLAND’
Say “Arrrr!” Sept. 19 is International Talk like a Pirate Day, one of our favorite madeup holidays. It’s also a great excuse to visit this Legoland playground, where little builders can make a Lego pirate ship and sail it through an obstacle course. Kids can also climb a ship’s rigging, steer the wheel and fire air cannons. At Legoland Discovery Center at Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $20.50; discounts available for advance online purchase. tinyurl.com/y767k6vu
Thursday MEET AUTHOR DANIEL JOSE OLDER
Young readers can already choose from what seems like a million different series, but the new “Dactyl Hill Squad” sounds like an inventive hit. From the imagination of New York Times best-selling author Daniel Jose Older comes this fresh historical fantasy, set during the Civil War, about a group of orphans. All kids of color in Brooklyn, they form a squad that flies on the back of winged dinosaurs. Meet Older at 7 p.m. at Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Free to attend; $17 for “Dactyl Hill Squad.” tinyurl.com/yb7xjdk5
Friday JUICEBOX: CHICAGO FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE
The city’s biweekly series of live performance for the toddler set, Juicebox hosts its second event of the season: The Chicago Folklore Ensemble, which mixes the stories and music of an eclectic group of immigrants. As with all Juicebox events, the all-ages show happens twice: 11 a.m. Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center (Preston Bradley Hall), 78 E. Washington St.; and 11 a.m. Saturday at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. tinyurl.com/ybv75cct
LONG GROVE APPLE FEST
You’ll find what you expect at this threeday celebration of the world’s most portable and versatile fruit — plus a whole lot more. Apple cider doughnuts? Sure. But also spiced apple lattes, apple-and-goat-cheese dumplings and apple tempura too. The fest’s Kids Zone features plenty of activities, including the classic pie-eating contest. Catch the fun Friday through Sunday in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. $5, free for kids 12 and under. tinyurl.com/y9ayalsw
Saturday NATIONAL MUSEUM DAY
The Washington, D.C.-based Smithsonian Institution offers free admission to visitors every day — an ideal scenario that is replicated across the country once a year. Download a Museum Day ticket to gain complimentary access for two people Saturday. Chicago-area participating venues include Adler Planetarium, dusable Museum of African American History, American Writers Museum, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. tinyurl.com/yb6zshm5
FLUTTER INTO FALL
The Nature Museum’s signature exhibit is its Butterfly Haven, where visitors flock year-round to watch newly emerged butterflies. So it’s no surprise that the museum welcomes autumn with special programming to celebrate the insect beauties. Assist experts as they tag and release local monarch butterflies for their annual migration to Mexico; make butterfly wind chimes; and go on a scavenger hunt inside the Haven, and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. Free for Illinois residents (donations accepted). tinyurl.com/yajrwkr4
SATURDAY STORYTIME: MI AMIGO HAMLET CONCERT
Sing “Hola” during this interactive Spanish-English concert, an interactive musical fun fest from longtime Chicagoan Hamlet Meneses. Better known to young fans as Mi Amigo Hamlet, Meneses moved here from his original home in Guatemala. His passion is bilingual education for kids through art and music, and he celebrates the release of his debut album, “Happy Land Is Tierra Feliz,” with two concerts, the first of which is at 10:30 a.m. at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Free to attend; $15 for “Happy Land” on CD. Can’t make that date? Find him the following Saturday, Sept. 29, in Chicago at Mr. Dave Music, 1935 W. Division St. tinyurl.com/y7eqxenn
YAS! FEST
One of autumn’s highlights is this inaugural event celebrating young artists from around the city. From the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Youth Arts Showcase is the largest event of its kind in Chicago’s history. Look for dance performances, a classical concert, visual art, an interactive media lounge with a live radio show and more. The day culminates with hip-hop star Desiigner and singer/songwriter Ravyn Lenae perform. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., throughout Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., with additional performances at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Art Institute. Free. tinyurl.com/yaz62ugp
INDIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Naperville’s Simply Vedic hosts this annual fall festival, celebrating the culture and cuisine of this great South Asian nation. Sample a range of vegetarian food from different regions of India, enjoy the folk dance competition, make art in the children’s corner and more. You could even buy a beautiful sari, then attend a workshop to learn how to drape it. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Free admission. www.indianculturalfestival.org
SCOPES IN THE CITY: FALL EQUINOX
Autumn officially arrives Saturday with the equinox, after which days become shorter than the nights. Honor the occasion at this family-friendly ’Scopes in the City event, co-hosted by Adler Planetarium along The 606. Weather permitting, look up into the night to see Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. 7:30-9 p.m. at Exelon Observatory, 1800 N. Ridgeway Ave. Free. tinyurl.com/y9jqkxzf
Sunday PASSPORT EUROPE FESTIVAL
This weekendlong fest brings the culture of the Old World to Morton Arboretum. For two days, you can immerse the family in the sounds, sports and cuisine of Ireland, Poland, Germany, France, Greece and more. From polka to flamenco, hurling to storytelling, the programming runs the gamut. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15, $10 for kids 2-17; free parking. tinyurl.com/hrs2uq9