A week of things to do with the kids
Monday ‘STORYLAND’
It’s the final week to walk into the pages of beloved children’s books, as re-created in “Storyland.” The work of Minnesota Children’s Museum, “Storyland” creates 3D, bilingual environments for kids to explore; it packs up to move to a new home Sunday. At Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. $13. tinyurl.com/y8r5hazm
Tuesday WINNIE-THE-POOH DAY
In addition to riding the beloved carousel, crawling through the tunnel maze and more, tykes get treated to Winniethe-Pooh storytime and crafts. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jumps ’n’ Jiggles at Elk Grove Park District, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. $5 (free for babies 12 months and under). tinyurl.com/y82sj2jj
‘THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL’
The NYT best-selling Percy Jackson series leaps from page to stage with this pop-rock musical. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the touring show arrives in Chicago for eight performances in a one-week-only run, Jan. 8-13. At the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. $25-$80. tinyurl.com/ybtklu7b
Wednesday CHICAGO BOAT, RV & SAIL SHOW
This annual five-day show feeds all your fantasies of boating, fishing and camping in the warmer months to come. Beyond checking out all the new gear, there’s plenty to lure families, including a catchand-release area dubbed the Huck Finn Trout Pond, which is stocked with live fish for kids 12 and under, and free lessons in stand-up paddling and kayaking. Wednesday through Sunday (hours vary by day) at McCormick Place (south building), 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive. $13-$15, free for kids 12 and under. chicagoboatshow.com/
Friday ‘CENDRILLON’
More than a century after its 1899 debut in Paris, Jules Massenet’s opera version of “Cinderella” finally made its Lyric Opera premiere in December. Sung in French with projected English translations, this production runs two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. Catch it at 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Jan. 17 or 2 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Lyric, 20 N. Wacker Drive. $49-$279; $20-$50 children’s tickets are available by phone, 312-8275600. tinyurl.com/yatjklrt
32ND YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
Every year, Pegasus Theatre sifts through hundreds of one-act plays written by Chicago high school students to select a few winners, which receive a professional production. The playwrights are Alexis Gaw from Lane Tech; Anonda Tyler of Kenwood Academy; and Luna MacWilliams of Whitney Young. Catch all three short plays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays (except Jan. 13) through Jan. 27. Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen St. $30, $18 for students. tinyurl.com/ya67jz9m
Saturday SNOWTREKKING
Head to Northerly Island on select Saturdays, where — provided there’s at least 3 inches of snow on the ground — you can rent showshoes and trek around, enjoying views of the city while looking for signs of wildlife. Not sure if conditions are suitable? Call 312-745-2910. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Drive. $5 showshoe rental. Snowtrekking repeats Jan. 19; Feb. 2, 9 and 16; and March 2. tinyurl.com/yb47h78b
‘HEAVEN AND EARTH: ALEXANDER CALDER AND JEFF KOONS’
From mobiles to mundane objects, there’s plenty here to catch the eyes of kids and adults alike. If you attend Saturday, which happens to be MCA’s monthly Family Day, admission is gratis. “Heaven and Earth” runs daily through March 24 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Free for families with kids 12 and under. tinyurl.com/ycqqdgy3
KID LIT FEST
This annual festival plans something for every level of reader, from toddlers just getting into picture books to young adults diving into novels. Featured guests include author-illustrator Jacob Grant. In addition to meeting creators, visitors can pose for photo ops with favorite kidlit covers, make book-themed crafts and play along in reader’s theater. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. Free, with featured authors’ books available for purchase. tinyurl.com/yajbs3py
ONCE UPON A SYMPHONY: THE UGLY DUCKLING
An ostracized baby swan comes to life in the latest edition of Once Upon a Symphony. This special program for pre-K kids features the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Chicago Children’s Theatre, who present an interactive performance with music. Arrive 45 minutes early for pre-concert activities led by educators. Saturday’s two concerts begin at 10 and 11:45 a.m. at Symphony Center’s Buntrock Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. $17. tinyurl.com/y9zph9yz
HARD WATER CLASSIC ICE FISHING
Bundle up and get angling on Silver Lake, where the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County hosts this familyfriendly tournament for catching (and releasing) largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and crappie. Noon to 3:30 p.m. (registration begins at 11 a.m.) at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Butterfield Road between Winfield Road and Route 59, Warrenville. $20-$25. tinyurl.com/ycvjxgb8
JUNIOR ARCHAEOLOGISTS
You won’t need a pith hat for this adventure, but nobody will complain if you wear one, because this multi-generational activity focuses on a simulated excavation. Families also get a guided tour of the museum, whose cool artifacts include real mummies. Register in advance. 1-3 p.m. at the Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th St. $14 for one adult-child pair; $7 for each additional guest. tinyurl.com/yd33xxzs
MUSICAL PETTING ZOO
In advance of the Music Institute of Chicago’s spring semester (beginning Jan. 28), the school offers three open houses with music, games and refreshments. Parents can register their kids for classes and learn about special discounts. 2 p.m. Saturday in Lake Forest; 2 p.m. Sunday in Winnetka; or 2 p.m. Jan. 20 in Evanston. Free. musicinst.org/fun