A guided glimpse into the world of outdoor play will depend on the day. Possibilities include snowman and snow fort building with natural materials or garden scavenger hunt for natural objects

Search for gnomes in the Children's Garden using your best "I Spy" skills. Checklist provided.

Build a snowman out of biodegradable and natural items to win. Fill out an entry form at the main office.

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can traverse the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville or the 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Starting Sunday, Nov. 4, the trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open until 9 .m. daily until March 9.

Feature the black bear and its adaptations for survival in the forest. Crawl into the bear's den, compare your senses to that of the black bear, feel his fur, come face to face with a black bear mount and more.

If you're looking for an alternative to skating at Millennium Park this winter, look up. Way up-94 stories, to be exact. Touted as the World's Highest Ice Skating Rink, the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center gives ice skaters a bird's-eye view of the city and the lake.

At 20 feet by 45 feet, the rink is probably too small to be your solo destination of the day, but paired with a trip to see the view from the Hancock, it's a nice way for kids to burn off energy while parents enjoy the great view. And because it's synthetic ice, skaters stay warm and don't get wet.

The rink is scheduled to be open for skating from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. through April 18. A 25-minute skate session costs $6 (in addition to the cost to get into the Hancock Observatory). You can bring your own skates or rent some there for a dollar.

See a toy so amazing, so unbelievable, it has the power to transform into anything you want it to be. Enter a world where imagination rules, and ordinary becomes extraordinary.

A new traveling exhibit created by Children's Museum of Pittsburgh that links familiar childhood objects to a process of manufacturing that combines people, ideas and technology. Inspired by the factory tour segments from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, the exhibit offers hands-on activities using real factory tools and machines to create objects including crayons, a baseball bat and a matchbox car, just to name a few.

The exhibit features the illustrations of W. W. Denslow, a Chicago resident whose famous illustrations helped to inspire the design of the classic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland. The bright and colorful exhibit provides a variety of learning opportunities and hands-on activities within a three-dimensional representation of Denslow's distinctive illustrations.

Discover how sounds make music, and how music makes you feel, with activities like making melodies on bolt- and wrench-a-phones, using soft sculpture pegs to make a music box, blowing air over a reed, moving musical notes on a staff, beating percussion instruments, and creating an artistic masterpiece that reflects how music makes you feel

Hundreds of objects and documents from the exclusive private collection, together with a rare collection of first editions of his most famous works, tell the story of how Charles Dickens and his characters became enduring cultural icons. Interactive and multi-media displays and personal effects take visitors through a chronological tour of the life, literature and legacy of Dickens. View his personal traveling inkwell, take a ride in an early century carriage, and learn about the memorable characters, stories and themes of his famous tales through games, time period puzzles and Dickens' own personal Facebook page.

Visitors become space adventurers and set off on a journey to discover the Universe in a way never done before. Travel a billion light-years and back, fly through space, orbit the Moon, zoom into a canyon on Mars, and soar through the cosmic web where a million galaxies shower down. The experience was created utilizing real telescopic data and the best scientific imagery.

Free general admission to the original galleries and discounted rates on admission to Wild Reef, Polar Play Zone and Oceanarium.

Exhibit explores Schulz's personal history and his role as the sole inspiration and artistic talent behind Peanuts and its unique cast of characters. Through original cartoons, reproductions and related Peanuts ephemera, guests see how characters were developed and evolved. Schulz's Santa Rosa, Calif. studio, recreated for the first time, allows for a deeper look into his work and life. Kids and families have a chance to exercise their own Schultz-like creativity with activities like making a zoetrope.

Exhibit challenges guests to communicate, move and live like bugs at interactive stations. Live insects are featured throughout the exhibition, plus larger-than-life robotic creatures allow visitors to observe the often overlooked beauty and complexity of the insect world.

Move, play and explore nature in a safe museum environment specially adapted for young children with development differences. Transition into a quiet, low stimuli breakfast room offering gluten and dairy free treats and enjoy a self-guided tour of the exhibits using the newly created visual support map and activities guide. Then experience the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven with specialized song and floor time activities. Registration required. Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17.

Fun family DJ event.

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.

Bud, Not Buddy  follows the journey of a young African-American orphan as he searches for his father. Clues kept in a suitcase lead him to adventures in Depression-era Michigan, where he finds community among a group of jazz musicians and, ultimately, an unexpected sense of home. Performances are Jan. 12-Feb. 24, 2013.

A burglar is at large in Boogle Bay and the prime suspect is the ghost of the infamous pirate Blackeye Doodle. Hungry for adventure, young Otto and his Uncle Tooth set out to capture the mischievous thief and recover the stolen goods. Performances are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 12-Feb. 17. One hour before each performance, for an extra $10, kids can participate in Stories Come Alive! Hour, an interactive storytelling session followed by on-your-feet theatre games to explore the characters, plot, and themes of the book

One of the most iconic musicals comes to life. Performances run Jan. 16-Feb. 3, 2013.

Interactive show that offers audiences the opportunity to witness their favorite characters come to life. Hip-hop legend Biz Markie joins the cast on stage and the show also features Super Music Friends and Dancey Dance guest performances.

The story of Snow White's less-famous sister is performed from Jan. 6-26.

Stanley Lambchop wants to travel the world to escape his ordinary life. One night, a bulletin board falls right on top of Stanley and he wakes up really flat. Recommended for kids 3-10.

Performances are 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Wentz Concert Hall of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Orchestra Hall of Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Chicago Sinfonietta at 312-236-3681 ext. 2 or online at www.chicagosinfonietta.org.

Music Institute of Chicago's annual concert features 100-plus voices of the Brother Chorale of the Apostolic Church of God, performing traditional and contemporary gospel and jazz arrangements.

Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and Sundays at noon, families can enjoy a show from one of the city's popular kids' music artists. Visit the Web site for a schedule of entertainers and specific show dates. Runs through May 19.

Kids learn self-expression and confidence in performance skills through an Indian Dance for Kids class while parents relax with the de-stressing light cardio of Chinese Tai Chi.

The show will open Jan. 18, with performances Jan. 18-20 and 25-27. Tickets are on sale at the Naperville Park District at www.napervilleparks.org and at the Administration Building, 320 W. Jackson Ave., and at the new 95th Street Center, located at 2244 W. 95th St.

Enchanted ballroom with arts and crafts, delicious desserts and dancing, hosted by Belle, Cinderella, Princess Jasmine, Snow White, and Tiana. All princesses are encouraged to wear ball gowns and bring tiaras.

Exhibit includes numerous artifacts, photographs and other documentary items that tell the story of Chicago's iconic candy makers, including Snickers, Lemonheads, Butterfingers and Cracker Jack.

Interactive learning centers include a barn slide, apple orchard and chicken coop. Maggie, a life-sized fiberglass milking cow sponsored by Golden Oaks Farm in Wauconda, will be the focus of the new exhibit. Maggie is over five feet tall and features a working udder that recirculates the water that children "milk."

Stories, craft projects and family fun while celebrating Tu B'Shevat, the birthday of trees. Registration is requested online, by email or by phone at (312) 444-2812.