Get out there and play

Enter the world of Hogwarts and the boy-who-lived (that’s Harry Potter) during the Museum of Science and Industry’s world premiere of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition.” Opening today and running through Sept. 27, the exhibition will allow visitors to check out more than 200 props and authentic costumes displayed in settings inspired by the Hogwarts film sets.

During your visit, you’ll enter Hagrid’s hut, the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall. Take a moment and throw around the quaffle on the Quiddich pitch and keep your eye out for film clips throughout the exhibit. Due to the anticipated popularity of this exhibition, extended hours are being offered until 9 p.m. It is recommended you buy your time-entry tickets online prior to your visit.

The Museum of Science and Industry is located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Combination admission into the museum and “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” during the day is $26, $19 kids 3-11. After-hours evening tickets, which only include the exhibition, are $18, $15 kids 3-11. For more information, call (773) 684-1414 or visit msichicago.org.

Get your tickets here

Your kids know exactly how to get to Sesame Street and they’ve memorized all of Elmo’s songs. Sounds like your little one would love to see “Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up” May 7-10 at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Five lucky Chicago Parent readers will win family four-packs to see your family’s favorite red, furry monster and his pals during a show of your choice. For tickets and more information, visit ticketmaster.com. Photo courtesy of the Sesame Workshop. To win, visit our discussion board.

Get out there and play some more

Take off for some high-flying fun this Sunday at Mayor Daley’s Kids & Kites Festival. The festival, held at Montrose Harbor, offers families a chance to not only fly a kite, but also design and create their own kite to take home for free.

If you have first-time flyers in your family, talk to the professionals for a few flying tips. When you’re done flying, check out the face painters, stilt walker and storytellers. New to the festival are two big kite candy drops, a giveaway of a family four-pack of tickets to “Mary Poppins: The New Musical” at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and two Mary Poppins kites.

Mayor Daley’s Kids and Kites Festival is held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Montrose Harbor, Montrose and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. This event is free, and free kite kits will be available while supplies last. For more information, call (312) 744-3370 or visit cityofchicago.org/specialevents.

Outside fun

Love the earth and join in on the Party for the Planet at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. this Sunday. The party is all about conservation and thinking green and will include earth-themed activities and music, games, crafts and a visit from Fisher-Price’s Planet Heroes. Kids can also join in on Storybook Yoga, a magical performance, a scavenger hunt and help plant a tree.

Head over to the Hamill Family Play Zoo to meet Mother Earth, learn about composting, plant acorns in take-home containers and receive a tree sapling to take home. Admission to the Hamill Family Play Zoo is free during Party for the Planet. The party also includes a Kite Festival, featuring professional kite fliers.

Party for the Planet is free with regular zoo admission of $12 for adults and $8 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $8. For a full schedule of events and more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org.

Piece of the prize

Your family is WiiFit crazed and that may just be a good thing. This week, one lucky Chicago Parent reader will win a T-Fitness Pack NW from Thrustmaster. The T-Fitness Pack NW features seven accessories for the WiiFit Balance Board. The prize comes with a carrying case for the WiiFit Balance Board, two anti-perspiration wristbands, a shoulder strap for your MP3 player, rechargeable battery and USB recharging cable. The T-Fitness Pack NW retails for $29.99 and is available at Amazon.com, NewEgg.com, Buy.com and Dell.com. To win, visit our discussion board. Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\article-detail.xslt