Chicago Maritime Festival  | Chicago

The festival features a taste of almost every aspect of life on or near the water in Chicago through seminars, workshops, and concerts on topics including maritime history, shipwreck diving, battles at sea, water safety, weather forecasting, model ships, commercial shipping, canoes and kayaks, maritime music, marine art, and much more. Activities for younger sailors include model boat building, songs for younger sailors, and "How to be an Underwater Detective."

International Kennel Club Cluster of Dog Shows  | Chicago

One of the largest all-breed benched dog shows in the country that draws the top dogs from across the United States and Canada to compete for prizes and the coveted title of "Best in Show." Plus dog fashion shows, meet the breeds, pet the dogs and Kid Zone.

More than 150 exhibitors showcase the latest trends for second homes. The show also includes free family fun, giveaways, interactive features, contests and how-to seminars.

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.

Docents help children and others learn through interactive displays and games in the showrooms. New topics every month. September: "Traveling Seeds"; October: "Cone Bearing Plants"; November: "Fruits, The Seasonal Food Harvest"; December: "Eggs and the Conservatory Critters"; January: "Urban Wildlife"; February: "Chocolate"; March topic: "Survival in the Jungle"; April: "Carnivorous Plants"; May: "Water Works."

Discuss the methods and tools of tree tapping, as well as collection and making of maple syrup. Pre-registration required. Please dress for the weather.

Nature-related activities, including thematic stories, art projects, self-guided activities and hot chocolate. Visitors should dress for the weather.

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.

Explore the ideas from nature that inspired some great scientific inventions. Participants watch a short presentation and visit stations to experiment with some of nature's inventions, then end with a hike outside to make discoveries.

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.

Free, fun and educational arts project for kids. Projects change bi-weekly.

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.

Megan Hovany, whose "A Windy Day" mural adorns the wall outside the Unboxed exhibit, helps guests create a mini-cardboard relief mural.

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.

The longest-running exhibition of African-American art in the U.S. features more than 100 dynamic works of art from amateur and professional African-American artists from around the nation.

Join Hercules, Vladimir, Jill, and Twitch for turtle trivia, races, and turtle care. No registration required.

Chicago Kids Company performs the classic tale from Feb. 6-April 12.

Professor McBumble's group of traveling actor's teach the lesson's of Anti-Bullying by using fairtales as their backdrop. Performances run from Jan. 23-May 3 at various locations. Check website for dates and location schedule.

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.

Based on the book by Gary D. Schmidt, performances are 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays from Jan. 19-March 2 (no performances Jan. 26-Feb. 2). Recommended for children 9 and older.

This 75-minute adaptation, told in Shakespeare's own words, speaks to today's youth about their own lives. After the performance, audiences are welcome to join the cast for a post-show discussion. Runs 11 a.m. Saturdays from Feb. 23-March 23.

The crew will visit Pooh and Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore from Feb. 9-March 30.

The Cat in the Hat is the perfect friend for a boring rainy afternoon. From games and mischief to Thing One and Thing Two, The Cat brings all sorts of trouble to this gray day--but will Sally and her brother be able to explain the mess to Mother? Performances run Jan. 26-June 9, 2013.

When happily ever after isn't what he expected, the Frog Prince heads out for a new adventure. While searching for his true amphibian self, he meets witches from Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, and Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. Performances run Jan. 26-June 9, 2013.

Musical that chronicles the sociological effects upon youth from fatherless homes and how they manage to uplift themselves in spite of it. Kwanzaa week holiday performances are Dec. 26, 27, 28. Regular run is Jan. 12-June 1, 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.

The Logan family is trying to eke out a living on their small family-owned farm in 1930s Mississippi. The Logan children soon learn the tribulations of racism and the many forms it comes in. They experience it first hand as they get teased while walking to school.  But this type of incident is the least of what they have to endure. The Logans try to peacefully fight the injustice, but their efforts only cause them further strife. It takes a drastic event to bring the town together, proving that their differences are only skin deep. Performances are 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 19-22, 25-28; 1 p.m. Feb. 23.

Famous fairy tales as you've never seen them before. Jack is trying to escape from the Giant, but other fairy tale characters keep getting in his way.

This fresh version of the timeless tale contains songs, dances and puppetry. Performances run 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays from Jan. 20-Feb. 23.

Chronicles the creation of the universe and key biblical events through the Passion and Resurrection. The production is suitable for all ages and uses music and large-scale puppetry. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays from Feb. 22-March 31.

Performances by the Crystal Lake Strikers' All Star Drumline-comprised of talented adult and high school drummers from all around town.

Performances run from Feb. 17-March 10.

Each winter, The Actors Gymnasium produces its largest show of the season, the Winter Circus - a dramatic narrative filled with beautiful physicality and stunning circus acts. This show features professionals from the Chicago circus and physical theatre communities along side the teen ensemble and advanced students. Performances run weekends from feb. 17-March 23.

Ever wonder what Cinderella's stepsisters were thinking? What happens when the tooth fairy retires? How would you feel if you were the emergency operator in Neverland? This sketch comedy revue entirely devised and created by a youth ensemble takes a second look at some beloved stories and characters. Performances are 4 p.m. Feb. 16, 17, and 24.

Equal parts pop rock concert and animated storybook, Gustafer Yellowgold concerts are a truly different multimedia experience that entrances children and adults alike.

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.

Celebration includes African dance performances and poetry readings plus a marketplace featuring food, jewelry and clothing.

Parents and kids dance, play and savor healthy snacks. Arts and crafts, mini-manis, dancing and unlimited juice boxes included (cash bar for parents). April 13 and May 11.

Exhibition highlighting the culture of illustration through the talented cartoonists, illustrators and voice actors connected to the Geneva community. Features well-known artists such as Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear and many Hanna Barbera characters, along with Chester Gould, creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip.

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.

Family drop-in program includes crafts, books and board games, along with breakfast treats from Blue Max Coffee. Plus, a fun story time by the fireplace at 10:30.

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."

Seasonal sport training and competition in gymnastics, basketball and track.