1 You’ve always taught your kids not to play with their food, but what about turning it into works of art? At Jelly Belly& Gummy Mosaic Art, kids use jelly beans and gummy treats to create beautiful mosaics that are sure to rival ancient Greece—and taste a whole lot sweeter. Best of all, they’re just as fun to take apart as they are to assemble! This “Candy Camp” runs at both locations of Morkes Chocolates. $18. 2-3:30 p.m. or 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 7; 1890 N. Rand Road, Palatine. 10-11:30 a.m., noon-1:30 p.m., 2-3:30 p.m., or 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 4; 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 6; 2755 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin. (847) 359-3454, morkeschocolates.com.
2 Calling all pet lovers! Kids with an interest in animals can get a taste of what it’s like to be a veterinarian at FutureVet. A Banfield Pet Hospital veterinarian leads kids in an interactive program that introduces them to veterinary medicine. They’ll meet and care for a real pup patient and then take home a stethoscope and an honorary veterinarian certificate. Save it to hang next to their real diploma someday! Free with admission. Check website for time. Aug. 11. Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. (847) 832-6600, kohlchildrensmuseum.
3 Freckles aren’t usually a badge of honor, unless you’re at the Fox Valley Irish Festival. There, kids can win a prize if they have the most freckles—or if they can eat the most ice cream. In addition to fun contests, the revamped fest features Irish cultural displays, dancers and bagpipers, Jameson-tasting and Gaelic lessons for the grown-ups, and a moon jump, crafts and face painting for the kids. Just try to keep your eyes—Irish or otherwise—from smiling. $10, $5 kids 3-14, free kids 2 and under. 1-10:30 p.m. Aug. 2. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora. riveredgeaurora.com/events/fox-valley-irish-festival.
