When “FACE TO FACE: DEALING WITH PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION” was developed for the opening of the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, it was designed with activities to help older children understand and deal with situations where they were perhaps called derogatory names or excluded because of their race or religion or some other reason. Now the exhibit has been re-created to include the experiences of younger children as well. They can play a game (much like the activity of the toy See and Say) that answers questions about people’s differences and play an origami game to increase their self-esteem. During the grand opening, at which Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Arun Gandhi will speak, kids can make crafts including a “power shield” to protect themselves from prejudice. Grand opening, “Face to Face: Dealing with Prejudice and Discrimination,” 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave., $6.50; 312-527-1000.
— Nancy Maes
When the members of River North Dance Company perform “Street Beat: Dance Through the Decades,” youngsters in the audience will not only find out how jazz dance has evolved throughout the years but also how it has been influenced by our history and the ways that jazz dance reflects social and cultural changes. In the ’20s women donned flapper dresses and danced the Charleston. During the Depression in the ’30s people turned to glamorous, romantic ballroom dancing and the happy endings of Hollywood movies to forget their woes. Then came the jitterbug and rock ‘n’ roll, the frug, disco, music videos and hip hop with kids in baggy pants. River Dance members will be wearing the same urban outfit to finish the dance history lesson. River North Dance Company, 11 a.m. Saturday, Ravinia, Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park, $5; 847-266-5100.
— Nancy Maes
It’s a celebration of the nautical kind Saturday at Lake Arlington. The annual “Sail-A-Bration” includes kids’ sailing activities for those who’ve completed sailing camp, an adult regatta and a Sunfish regatta. A sand castle building contest and treasure hunt for kids and families runs from 3 to 4 p.m. Remote control boats will be displayed from 4 to 8 p.m., followed by a Venetian night show from 8 to 9 p.m. Free. “Sail-A-Bration,” 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Lake Arlington, 2201 Windsor Drive, Arlington Heights. 847-577-3059.
— Stephanie Price
DuPage Children’s Museum blows into Yorktown shopping center Saturday with a special “Airworks for Kids” program. Bring the kids in to blow off some steam. Educators will provide hands-on activities from the museum’s popular Airworks exhibit. Children will make mazes with moving air, construct kites, create whirligigs,which move with air power, and blast air rockets across the mall’s fountain atrium area. Free. “Airworks for Kids at Yorktown,” 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, in front of Von Maur Department Store, Yorktown Center, Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, Lombard. 630-260-9960.
— Stephanie Price
Bring your children Monday to a special story hour set on the grounds of Kline Creek Farm. Your whole family will enjoy a snack and listening to stories under the farm’s old oak tree. Free. “Children’s Hour,” 10 to 11 a.m. Monday. Kline Creek Farm, on County Farm Road about one-half mile south of North Avenue, Winfield. 630-876-5900.
— Stephanie Price
