Before kids take a make-believe trip to Mars in an exhibition called “Journey to the Red Plant” at the Chicago Children’s Museum they will take a close-up look at life on Earth. They will see how people who live in the desert or in a bitter cold place have made houses that are adapted to the environment and will be reminded how easy it is to breathe the air, turn on the water faucet, grow fruits and vegetables or play checkers. Then they will be ready to create a colony on Mars where it would be hard to cultivate the rocky terrain and the lack of gravity would send checkers flying about. Every day throughout the run of the exhibit kids can imagine even more about life on the Red Planet with a rotating array of activities such as dance workshops, sing-alongs and storytelling.
“Journey to the Red Planet,” Monday-Oct. 1, Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., $6.50; 312-527-1000.
— Nancy Maes
Irish music
Family members will be feelin’ green Sunday as the Arlington Heights Historical Museum presents its Third Annual Irish Fest. Authentic Irish musicians and dancers will perform with special guest Liz Carroll, a fiddler and composer from Chicago. Special activities for kids are planned.
Irish Fest, 1 to 6 p.m., Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Euclid and Vail Avenues, Arlington Heights, $6 adults, $4 children age 3 to 14; 847-506-7147.
— Stephanie Price
Songs for kids
Children’s singer Laurie Berkner will appear Sunday at the Lake Theater. Kids may bring along their favorite stuffed animal and enjoy this unconventional artist who has received acclaim for her three CDs, “Buzz Buzz,” “Victor Vito” and “Whaddaya Think of That?”
Laurie Berkner Concert, 11 a.m. Sunday, Lake Theater, 1022 Lake St., Oak Park, $10 adults, $8 children; 630-968-1600, ext. 116.
— Stephanie Price
Big and wild
Things are going wild at the Skokie Public Library, and that’s the way it should be. A giant-size Wild Thing like the ones in Maurice Sendak’s book “Where the Wild Things Are?” is coming to call. Even if he roars his terrible roar, kids don’t have to be afraid because they can roar right back at him. During other programs kids can learn to make a craft, discover the techniques of creating pictures for books from Kevin Luthardt, who created the illustrations for “Mine!,” make weird and wonderful bubbles and bring their teddy bears for a picnic.
“Wild Thing !” 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday; “Craft Sunday,” 2-5 p.m. Sunday; “Drawing for Fun,” 11 a.m. Monday; “Bubble Bonanza,” 10 a.m. Wednesday; Teddy Bear Picnic, noon Thursday; Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie, free, pre-registration is required for last three events; 847-324-3149.
— Nancy Maes
Tykes and bikes
Kicking off with a parade of decorated children’s bicycles, the annual Lemont Heritage Fest offers a full afternoon and night of food, games and entertainment Saturday. Highlights include a fashion show, a magic show and a martial arts demonstration, as well as musical performances by the rock band Midlife Crisis and the One Man Jamaican Band. Food vendors will be selling an assortment of meals, including shish kebab, prime rib sandwiches and ribs. Games for children include pony rides and wagon rides. Adults can browse among craft booths and check out the antique car show, and senior citizens can play some bingo.
The Lemont Heritage Fest, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, Stephen and Main Streets, Lemont, admission free; 630-257-1550.
— Pat Harper
River trip
A canoe trip Saturday will allow participants to explore the Des Plaines River. The trip begins at Isle a la Cache Museum, where a guide will be supplied to provide canoeing safety tips and insights into the importance of the river to the environment. Canoes, paddles and lifejackets will be supplied. Participants should bring their own water bottle and lunch. The trip is for adults and children over 12.
Canoe trip, 10 a.m. Saturday at Isle a la Cache Museum, 135th Street east of U.S. Highway 53, Romeoville, $20; 815-727-8700.
— Pat Harper
