Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library 11960 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip(708) 371-5666alsip-mp.lib.il.us
Professor Presto's Magic School 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 20. Kids can learn easy-to-do magic tricks. All props are provided. Kids 7 and older. Wii Gaming 2-4 p.m. Sept. 27. Play on the big screen, compete for prizes and enjoy refreshments. Kids 8 and older. Registration required.
Big Run Wolf Ranch14857 Farrell Road, Lockport(815) 588-0044bigrunwolfranch.org
Family Day/Open House 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13. Featuring Jim Nesci and his cold blooded creatures. Also see"Kuma" the bear, enjoy wildlife lectures and guided tours. $2.
The Children's Farm at The Center12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park(708) 361-3650thecenterpalos.org
Children's Farm Family Visit 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in September. Featuring pony rides, hayrides and animal visits. $4.50 per person, free kids under 2.
The Children's Museum of Oak Lawn9600 E. Shore Drive, Oak Lawn(708) 423-6709cmoaklawn.org
Celebrate Grandparents Day Sept. 13. Free admission for grandparents. Teddy Bear Week Sept. 17-20. Bring in your bear for stories and crafts. Smithsonian free admission day Sept. 27. Check Web site for updates and museum hours and admission. Events are recommended for kids 2-10.
Elim Christian Services13020 S. Central Ave., Palos Heightselimcs.org
Elim Dutch Festival 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27. Entertainment, petting zoo, carnival, magic show and wooden shoe carver. Food, including Dutch specialties, available for purchase.
Fossil Ridge Public Library District386 W. Kennedy Road, Braidwood(815) 458-2187fossilridge.org
Storytime for kids 3-5 runs 6 p.m. Monday and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday starting Sept. 15. Toddler Twos runs 9:30 a.m. Monday starting Sept. 15. Registration required.
Frankfort Country MarketOak and Kansas streets, Frankfortfrankfortcountrymarket.org
This open air market along the bike path in downtown Frankfort features kids' activities in the Munchkin Market from 10 a.m.-noon. Munchkin Market is for supervised children ages 3-8 and is free. The market runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays.
Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center 2453 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields(708) 481-2330ironsoaks.com
Full Moon Hike 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Check out how the moon transforms the terrain of the park. Registration required. $6, $3 kids.
Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch3395 Black Road, Joliet(815) 740-2663joliet.lib.il.usDance Mania 5000 6 p.m. Sept. 26. Features free play and a tournament. Free.Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights(708) 361-1873lakekatherine.org
Monarch Butterfly Festival 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 21. See the butterflies and enjoy food and family fun. Kids in butterfly/insect costume receive free gift bag and march in parade. Small entrance fee.
Monee Reservoir Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and south of Pauling RoadMonee(815) 727-8700fpdwc.org/monee.cfm
Kids' Fishing Derby 7 a.m.-noon Sept. 6. Kids 5-15 can fish for prizes. Each participant receives a goody bag. Registration required. $8.
P&J Kids Art Loft230 E. 8th St., Suite 4, Lockport(815) 501-9485pandjkidsartloft.com
Open Arts and Crafts events for all ages. Featuring Scrapbooking 6-8 p.m. Sept. 12; Candlemaking 6-8 p.m. Sept. 26. Visit Web site for more information.
Plum Creek Nature Center Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve, Beecher 1.25 miles east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road(815) 727-8700fpdwc.org/plumcreek.cfm
Fall Fest 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 20-21. Featuring live music, magic shows, farm animals on display, games, storytelling and hayrides. Free admission. Food and crafts available for purchase.
H.A. Rathje's Peotone Mill427 W. Corning Ave., Peotone(708) 258-6797
Old Mill Fall Fest 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 14. Featuring mill tours, Native American artifacts and demonstrations of old-time crafts including wood carving, broom making and beading. Free admission; food available for purchase.
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15890 Paxton Ave., South Holland
(708) 868-0606
fpdcc.com
Archaeology Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 13. Visit with local archaeologists and see their extensive collections. Also enjoy storytelling, games, guided hikes and other activities. Free.
Tall Grass Arts Association367 Artist Walk, Park Forest(708) 748-3377tallgrassarts.org
53rd Annual Park Forest Art Fair 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 20-21. Featuring art, music, food and kids' art activity. Held in downtown Park Forest. Free.
Tinley Park Park DistrictTony Bettenhausen Recreation Center 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park(708) 342-4200tinleyparkdistrict.org
Safe Sitter Babysitting Course 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 13 and 20. This medically accurate babysitting preparation course teaches basic first aid, behavior management and nurturing care techniques. Registration required. $99, $66 resident. Dog's Day in the Park noon-3 p.m. Sept. 28. Families can bring their dogs and participate in canine contests, dog obedience demos, animal activities and contests. Free.
Thorn Creek Nature Center247 Monee Road Park Forest(708) 747-6320villageofparkforest.com
Owl Prowl Night Hike 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Learn the habits and calls of three owl species, then hike through the woods. Registration required. $5.
Village of Midlothian147th and Springfield Avenue, Midlothian(708) 389-0200villageofmidlothian.net
Scottish Fair& Celtic Celebration Sept. 27. Featuring a fiddle competition, pipe bands, sheep herding, Scottish and Irish dancing, storytelling and kids' activities. Visit Web site for detailed schedule.
Village of Orland Park John Humphrey Complex147th Street and West Avenue, Orland Park(708) 403-PARK (7275)(708) 645-PLAY (7529)orland-park.il.usConcert on Ravinia 7 p.m. Sept. 7. Enjoy the Contemporary/Motown band 312 Chicago. Free.Village of Tinley Park16250 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park(708) 444-5000tinleypark.org
Music in the Plaza 7-10 p.m. Sept. 13. Enjoy the music of Eleventh Hour. Held at the Oak Park Avenue Train Station. Free.
Village of Worth 7425 W. 115th St., Worth(708) 448-1181villageofworth.com
Worth Days Fest Sept. 4-7. Enjoy a carnival, music, food and a children's area with entertainment just for kids. Visit Web site for detailed schedule.
Worth Park District11500 S. Beloit Ave., Worth(708) 448-7080worthparkdistrict.org
Touch a Truck 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Kids can experience the wonder of trucks and sit behind a bus, tractor and other vehicles. Held at Terrace Centre parking lot. Free. Go Healthy Challenge 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 27. Featuring several family-oriented activities including games, obstacle courses, races and walking events. Held at Gale Moore Park. Free.
