A week of things to do with the kids
Monday ‘HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY’
In this beloved 1993 film, a trio of pets get separated from their humans. Kids love watching the (sometimes dangerous) adventure tale as the animals cross the country in search of home. “Homeward Bound” returns to the big screen as part of the Music Box’s Live Action Disney series; catch it at noon Monday or 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave. $11, $7 for kids 11 and younger. tinyurl.com/y7elb6dp
BLUE MAN GROUP’S NEW YEAR’S EVE
This trio of neon-loving, nonverbal comedian/percussionists perform four times on New Year’s Eve — with the first two shows, at 1 and 4 p.m., especially geared for families. At Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. $59-$99. tinyurl.com/y8lovub4
ZOOLIGHTS FAMILY NIGHT
Lincoln Park Zoo’s whimsical lights display is winding down — but not before one last Monday Family Night, which includes free rides on the Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure. Children also eat free (with paying adults) at Park Place Cafe. Zoolights runs 4:30-8 p.m. Monday at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. Free. The ZooLights display continues through Jan. 6. tinyurl.com/y7rqk9ua
Tuesday
‘THE SCIENCE BEHIND PIXAR’
“The Science Behind Pixar” closes Sunday. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Year’s Day, with extended hours (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) through Friday. At the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive. $34, $22 for kids 3-11 for the Pixar exhibit including general admission. (Discounts available for advance online purchase and for Chicago residents.) tinyurl.com/y942ur9z
Wednesday FIREFLY KITCHEN KIDS’ COOKING CLASS
Firefly Kitchen offers three days of culinary instruction, so kids can learn how to make tacos, pizza or breakfast foods. The two-hour class includes a meal prepared by them, plus food and recipes to bring home. Classes run Wednesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to noon for K-5 children, noon to 2 p.m. for students in grades 6-8. Firefly Kitchen, 111 Green Bay Road, Wilmette. $50 per class. tinyurl.com/y947h8lv
‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’
Paramount Theatre delivers the stage version with awe-inspiring visual verve. Just nine performances over five days remain, including shows at 1 and 6 p.m. Wednesday. At Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38-$69. tinyurl.com/yatlrpml
NATURE DISCOVERY DAYS
Assume the role of outdoor detective during this Naperville Park District program. The drop-in activity happens four days this week — 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; repeating 10:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Saturday Jan. 19 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 21. Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. Free. tinyurl.com/yapsoz4k
Thursday
‘THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER’
“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” is directed by Mary Zimmerman. Naturally, children are welcome at any performance, but to enhance the experience, Lookingglass offers Family Days matinees Thursday and Jan. 12, which include a pre-show craft at 1:15 p.m. and a postshow meeting with cast members. Runs through Jan. 13 at Lookingglass Theatre, located inside the Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. $45-$85; Family Days tickets are $40 with code FAM40. tinyurl.com/y9d92jjq
Friday
JUICEBOX: LAURA DOHERTY
Juicebox returns for a four-month run of interactive performances designed to get toddlers clapping, singing and dancing. Kicking off the new season is Chicago kindie mainstay Laura Doherty. As with all Juicebox events, the performance 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/z6gjq9p
‘WIZARDS, WANDS AND WILDLIFE’
Accio, good times! This “Harry Potter”inspired weekend, designed for families with kids 8 and up, sorts guests into four houses for wand-making and learning about various creatures associated with magic. Dressing up is encouraged. Choose between two sessions, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $15. tinyurl.com/y87dzljb
Saturday
FOX VALLEY’S INDOOR ICE RINK
It’s the official grand opening for another Indoor Ice Rinks location, this time in Aurora. The company specializes in synthetic ice; since it never melts, you can skate on it year-round. The rink is open during mall hours, and it celebrates its official opening weekend by giving away a monthly skate pass to one raffle winner. Check it out 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday or 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, inside Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora. $10-$15. tinyurl.com/yayjppgy
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION WALK
With the help of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, resolve to spend more time outdoors, away from all the screens. Take a hearty but gentle hike through the woods in River Forest, then warm up with hot cider. 1 p.m. at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Free. tinyurl.com/ya9zr96z
LOGAN CENTER FAMILY SATURDAY
Whether your kid’s a tech pro or learning how to navigate an iPad, this month’s edition of Logan Center’s Family Saturdays is geared for them. “Cool Kids: A Celebration of Youth in Tech.” 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Free. tinyurl.com/k5deh4m
Sunday
CONCERTS FOR KIDS: MUSIC FOR NEW PEOPLE
Beat Kitchen’s Sunday concert series for families welcomes the new year with a local duo: Lenny Zieben and Harley Gingras, better known as Music for New People, at noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.) at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave. $6-$7. tinyurl.com/y8kgjrmh