Get growing! Bring your family to VOLKENING HERITAGE FARM Sunday for the “Preparing the Fields” program. Help the farmers plow the fields in anticipation of the growing season. The air may have a chill in it, but the garden and fields need working. If you feel chilly, take a break and warm up by the farmhouse stove, where the farm wife will prepare food to keep her farm family fed. Free. “Preparing the Fields,” noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Volkening Heritage Farm, park at Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary and walk to the farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg. 847-985-2110.
Book an afternoon with the animals at Algonquin Area Public Library. The library will host “South Forty’s World of Animals” Saturday. Bring the kids out to meet exotic animals during this fun and educational program. For children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Free. “South Forty’s World of Animals,” 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Algonquin Area Public Library, 115 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin. 847-658-4343.
It’s your chance to laugh as Wheeling Park District presents “Family Entertainment Night” Friday. Live performances and refreshments provided. Admission $2.50 with resident identification card; $4 non-residents. “Family Entertainment Night,” 7 p.m. Friday. Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling. 847-465-3333.
It’s time to hop down the bunny trail to search for carrots and crafts. Arlington Heights Park District hosts “A Cottontail Time” Saturday for children age 3 to 7. Hop over for a bunny activity, bunny craft and snack. Register at any Arlington Heights Park District center. $8 residents, $10.50 non-residents. “A Cottontail Time,” Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for kids 3 and 4 with a parent; 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. for kids 5 to 7. Arlington Heights Park District Recreation Center, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. 847-577-3040.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra presents its spring family concert “Carnival of the Animals” Saturday. Everyone’s sure to enjoy this musical morning. Tickets $5 to $12. “Carnival of Animals,” 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday. Elgin Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Elgin Symphony Orchestra box office, 847-888-4000.
The wonderful world of the Brothers Grimm comes to life as the Schaumburg Park District Family Theater presents “Snow White.” All of your favorite characters are featured — the dwarfs, the evil queen, the prince and princess. In this version, the magic mirror not only talks, it walks. Stage magic, laughs and chases through the forest are sure to delight audiences of all ages. Tickets $8 adults; $4 children. “Snow White,” 7:30 p.m. March 31, April 1 and 8; 2 p.m. April 2 and 9. Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg. 847-490-7020.
For poetry fun, join the club. Zany Brainy stores host monthly reader’s club meetings, and this month’s gathering is devoted to poems. Read the book designated for your age group, and then join the fun Saturday and Sunday. Zany’s lined up lots to do all weekend. Children age 6 and 7 will discuss “Insectlopedia” by Douglas Florian on Saturday. Kids 8 and 9 will review “New Kid on the Block” by Jack Prelutsky on Sunday. Free. “Poetry Reader’s Club Weekend” 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Zany Brainy stores, 150 Barrington Ave. and in Woodfield Mall, Illinois Highway 53 and Golf Road, Schaumburg. 847-798-7737.
