Get out there and play
Learn the lore of the Great Lakes at the Chicago History Museum’s Chicago Maritime Festival Saturday. History and music go hand in hand as a day of exhibits, seminars and workshops are followed by a three-hour, nautical-themed concert in the evening with singers from both sides of the Atlantic.
Your little shipmates can learn the nautical art of knot tying and learn how ships actually fit into bottles. Kids will be enthralled by tales of lighthouses and shipwrecks and can meet authentic mariners, divers and explorers. Try a few nautical crafts including making model boats and turk’s-head bracelets. Join the Underwater Archeological Society of Chicago to learn how to become a shipwreck detective.
The Chicago History Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. Exhibits run from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and the concert is from 7-10:30 p.m. Admission is exhibits, concert, all-day ticket, free kids 12 and under. For more information, call (773) 575-7244 or visit chicagomaritimefestival.org.
Get out there and play some more
This Sunday is the time to go outside and celebrate pigs. Brookfield Zoo is hosting National Pig Day with demonstrations, a parade and crafts and activities of the swine variety.
The zoo’s resident pigs, Harley and Penelope, will demonstrate just how smart they are as they show off trained behaviors in their outdoor yards at 1 p.m. And what’s a celebration without a parade? Gather outside the Children’s Zoo at 1:30 p.m. to march in the National Pig Day parade to the Hamill Family Play Zoo—led, of course, by the zoo’s pig-costumed character and the pink Pigmobile. Kids can hone in on their inner pig with mud play or use their hands to create pig-themed arts and crafts. Listen to pig stories and songs and use your own nose to learn about pigs and scents.
Brookfield Zoo is located at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Activities are free with regular zoo admission. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org.
Inside fun
Celebrate your kids with an expo dedicated to children and families at the Chicagoland Kids Expo. Discover the latest trends, toys and products with the more than 100 exhibitors while your kids enjoy plenty of entertainment, activities and games. Kids can burn off energy on the inflatables and meet some of their favorite television and movie characters. Play video games and test your Guitar Hero skills during competitions. Don’t forget to stop by the Chicago Parent booth to pick up your free goody bag.
The Renaissance Convention Center is located at 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. The Chicagoland Kids Expo is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is , kids 3-12, free under 3. Free parking. Discount coupons are available on the Web site. For more information, call (630) 469-4611 ext. 205 or visit ChicagoKidsExpo.com.
Piece of the prize
This week one lucky Chicago Parent reader will win an Easy-Bake Oven and Snack Center and an Easy-Bake Decorating Sensation Frosting Pen. This prize is recommended for kids 8 and up. The Easy-Bake Oven and Snack Center comes with an oven, yellow cake mix, chocolate-flavored frosting mix, sugar cookie mix, two baking pans, two cooking utensils, two warming cups and pan pusher. It retails for .99. The Decorating Sensation Frosting Pen comes with a pen, three cartridge tubes, three cartridge plungers, four decorating tips, a frosting tub and frosting tub lid and three frosting tub discs. It retails for .99. For more information, visit EasyBake.com. To win, visit our discussion board.
