With the weather finally warmer, our kids’ thoughts turn to what else? Ice cream. The sweet treat comes in so many options in the grocery freezer case: with nuts, without nuts, with chocolate, made with rice instead of dairy. While parents take a night away, drop scientists off at The Laboratory for The Science of Ice Cream. Before the experiments begin, the night starts with a slice of pizza. Kids 5-12 will learn the chemistry behind ice cream, performing ice cream analysis, before making their own batches. Parents then pick up their youngsters with heads filled with dairy knowledge and bellies full of summery goodness.
$40. 6:15-9 p.m. June 4. The Laboratory, 2349 W. North Ave., Chicago. (312) 953-2996.
How can a day of pony rides and jousting benefit local elementary schools? Thanks to the Family Fun Fest at the Do-Division Street Fest, proceeds go to the Friends of Pritzker School and LaSalle II PTO. Kids can have their faces painted, ride a pony and listen to rockin’ music. There is a sports zone, train rides, balloon animals, bounce house and jousting. For parents, the Do Division Street Fest is highlighted by plenty of cold drinks and a lineup of DJs and two stages for live music.
$5 donation. June 2-3. Division Street between Damen and Leavitt, Chicago. (312) 850-9390.
If the PyeongChang Olympics last February sparked your appetite for Summer 2020 in Tokyo, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has your answer. The federation announced a new format for its off-Olympic season tournaments: a series of round-robin competitions to crown an eventual winner. The FIVB Volleyball Nations League brings four national men’s teams to the Sears Center for a weekend of games, with the U.S. squad—ranked No. 2 internationally—highlighting the schedule. The Americans, with Wheaton natives Jeff Jendryk and Thomas Jaeschke expected to compete, will play against teams from Poland (No. 3), Iran (No. 8) and Serbia (No. 11). Young players, or even those newly interested in the sport, will have a chance to see former and future Olympians play.
Ticket prices vary. 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 15; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 16; noon and 5:30 p.m. June 17. Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates. (847) 649-2270.
