Brookfield Zoo gives a live animal presentation featuring exotic critters from around the world. Space is limited and registration is required. Call (815) 895-9777 to register.

Learn and connect to the history of the Marathon race, inspired by the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), from the first Marathon race in the 1896 Athens Olympics to today. Includes section on The Chicago Marathon. Children are invited to participate in a Race for Pheidippides scavenger hunt to redeem a prize. Exhibit coloring pages also available.

Attractions include Pumpkin Patch Petting Zoo, The Inflatable Kidz Zone, Corn Cannons, Pig Race,s, Cow Train, Hay Rides, Pony Rides, Corn Maze, Hay Maze, Corn Box, Hay Pyramid Flashlight Maze, Zombie Safari Hay Ride, Zip-Line, Giant Inflatable Pillow Jumpy and Bouncy Horses.

Board a Safari Hay Ride outfitted with 20 Zombie Slaying paintball guns, mounted turret style. Once aboard, you will be ferried to the grounds via a tractor tow, where the Zombies will attack from all sides

The park will be decorated with pumpkins and colorful autumn décor. Specialty menus feature caramel apples, chili and other sweet treats. In addition to rides, animals and attractions, kids can enjoy a variety of activities, such as a walk through the kid's haunted house, trick-or-treating (2-3 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28) and a costume contest (1:30-3 p.m. Oct. 27). At night, Nightmare From North Street Haunted House and Terrify Trails are open for those 12 and up.

Program is managed by Stepping Stones Therapy. Social skills groups provide interactive and fun opportunities to increase speech, language, oral-motor, motor planning, socialization and sensory processing and modulation skills. Visit www.airtastic.com to request additional information.

The last four weekends in October will feature special Halloween activities, including trick-or-treating for LEGO bricks, creating your own LEGO monster, huntin for ghosts in a haunted LEGO jungle and trying autumn-themed speed build challenges. October 5 -7, 12-14, 19-21 and 26-31.

Watch men painted blue do unusual performance art and original slapstick comedy. It's fun to sit in the front, but remember to wear a plastic poncho to avoid the flying food and liquids. Buy tickets at the box office, online, via Ticketmaster or by calling (773) 348-4000.

In a world where a trip to the Laundromat threatens to separate Trixie from her beloved bunny, a girl needs a hero to help--Dad. Can her parents understand what she's saying in time to rescue Knuffle Bunny? Performances run Oct. 2, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013.

From superheroes to undersea adventures, princesses to dinosaurs, Storytown takes children on an interactive, improvised adventure. The actors use kids' suggestions and ideas to create a different story each week. Kids design the setting and help shapes the story. Runs through the end of February 2013, then moves to Stage 773 in Chicago.