A week of things to do with the kids
Monday
‘THE BIG BAD FOX AND OTHER TALES’
A hungry fox ends up amusingly playing dad to three little chicks — a sort of barnyard take on “Despicable Me” — in one of three French cartoons, linked by a framing device into one 83-minute feature. In our computer-driven world, lithe hand-drawn animation on the big screen is a rarity, but that’s what you get here, from the directors of the Oscar-nominated “Ernest and Celestine.” During its run through Nov. 1, choose between French screenings with subtitles or the English-dubbed version. At the Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. $8-$11, $7 for kids and students with ID. tinyurl.com/y9okp58x
Wednesday
NIGHT OF 1,000 JACK-O’-LANTERNS With Halloween just a week away, you can’t swing a black cat without hitting a pumpkin spice something-or-other. But this beautiful spectacle reminds everyone why we love pumpkins so much: You’ll find a thousand (or so) of the glowing gourds — all hand-carved and lit with LEDs — lining the pathways of the Chicago Botanic Garden. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. $13-$18 admission; $25-$30 parking. tinyurl.com/y8gwtbc3
Thursday
HAUNTED INDOOR MOVIES
The Chicago Park District celebrates Halloween all month long, including with the annual “haunted movie” presentation at Margate Park. This year, choose between the rated-PG “Hotel Transylvania 3,” written and directed by onetime Chicagoan Genndy Tartakovsky, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; or the 1991 comedy classic, rated-PG-13, “The Addams Family,” at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Both movie outings include a hot dog, popcorn and a beverage. At Margate Park Fieldhouse, 4921 N. Marine Drive. $5.
Friday
SUPPER WITH THE SNAKES
At the Nature Museum’s annual sssssupper, families (with kids ages 2-10) get to meet snakes, of course — but the handson fun continues with the chance to examine serpent skins and skeletons, and to make slithery crafts. All this plus dinner (including cupcake dessert), costumes and a dance party! 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive. $25, $10 for kids 2-18. tinyurl.com/y9kuvop4
‘THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME’
This terrific show, which won the Tony Award for best play in 2015, uses lighting and sound design (among other theatrical tools) to cleverly bring its audience inside the mind of its protagonist, a 15year-old kid on the autism spectrum, as he tries to deduce who killed his neighbor’s dog. You’ve got just three more chances to catch this Steppenwolf for Young Adults production: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. At Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. $20-$30, $15 for students with ID. tinyurl.com/y8mzh2au
Saturday
FALL FESTIVAL
This daylong festival in DuPage celebrates all things autumn, from jumping into piles of fall leaves to decorating pumpkins (BYOP). Costumes are encouraged
at the drop-in event, which includes a live band and Touch-a-Tractor (till 1 p.m.). 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $12. tinyurl.com/ycefp8dc
OLD TOWN SCHOOL’S SPOOKY SINGALONG
Halloween costumes are de rigueur at this musical celebration of the season, hosted by the Old Town School of Folk Music. Junior witches, ghosts and superheroes get two chances to sing along, once at each OTS location: 10 a.m. Saturday at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.; 10 a.m. Sunday at 909 W. Armitage Ave. $12. tinyurl.com/y77axpkm
MUMMIES NIGHT
The Oriental Institute’s super-popular Halloween event naturally celebrates the (un)dead — specifically mummies, from exposed bones to the kind still concealed within a colorful sarcophagus. Kids 4 and up find themselves wrapped up in a whirlwind of activities, including storytelling, crafts and a Mummy Wrap Race. The all-knowing Sphinx advises registering in advance. 4-7 p.m. at the Oriental Institute Museum, 1155 E. 58th St. Free for kids, suggested donation of $5 for adults. tinyurl.com/y9rmsgh4
Sunday
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS XICAGO
Given the huge popularity of “Coco,” we have a feeling many more families might be interested in celebrating Dia de los Muertos this year. The National Museum of Mexican Art’s annual celebration unfolds both inside and (mostly) outside the galleries themselves. Photos of deceased loved ones are projected on the museum’s exterior. Meanwhile, in adjacent Harrison Park, families create their own ofrendas (altars) to the ancestors. Live performances, face painting and more add to the Pilsen festivities, 3-8 p.m.; the museum itself opens at 10 a.m. 1852 W. 19th St. Free admission. www.diadelosmuertosxicago.com/
THE HALLOWEEN FAMILY SHOW
Every Sunday, the Chicago Magic Lounge offers a family-friendly, 45minute magical matinee. This special edition (geared for families with kids ages 5 and up) includes trick-or-treating, so bring your own bag. And don’t forget your costume! 2 p.m. at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. $25, $15 for kids 5-16. tinyurl.com/y7cp5rc3
MAXWELL STREET MARKET’S DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION
If you’re looking for more Mexican culture and Day of the Dead celebrations, Maxwell Street Market plans three hours of family programming Sunday, including an ofrenda-making workshop, live music and pumpkin decorating. The event begins with the dedication of a mural celebrating the market’s 106th birthday at 10:30 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m. at 800 S. Desplaines St. Free. tinyurl.com/m2zusut
‘SPOOKTACULAR’ CONCERT AND HAUNTED OPEN HOUSE
What better holiday than Halloween to show off a pipe organ? Hence, the Music Institute of Chicago’s concert of spooky music ranging from Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor” to highlights of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” Following the 3 p.m. performance, a Haunted Musical Open House commences at 4 p.m., complete with trick-or-treating (costumes encouraged). At Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $40, $15 for kids and students. tinyurl.com/yb88u4uw