Kids can find out how to keep themselves out of harm’s way at “Play It Safe,” a new permanent exhibit at the Chicago Children’s Museum. They can play a game called Now You’re Cooking, hosted by an animatronic oven mitt puppet who asks them to find the stove burners that are safe and those that are unsafe. Youngsters can learn how to avoid injury when riding a bike or skateboarding by putting helmets on small wooden heads and then rolling them down an incline to see what happens when the headgear fits properly and when it doesn’t. The exhibit is open during museum hours, and at 11 a.m. Mondays through. Fridays, families can go into a simulated bedroom to experience what it’s like when the lights go out and smoke fills a room during a fire. A firefighter will be on hand to teach them the right way to react so they can escape a real fire unharmed.
“Play It Safe” opens Wednesday at the Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., $6.50; 312-527-1000.
— Nancy Maes
A sip of summer
Sample the joys of summer at the annual Alsip Summerfest Friday through Sunday. Besides carnival rides, live entertainment and lots of food, Summerfest includes a car show Friday night, a 5K run at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, a chili cookoff at 11 a.m. Saturday and a parade at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by a craft show.
Alsip Summerfest, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, 119th Street and Kostner Avenue, Alsip. Admission is $4 and covers all three days of the festival. 708-597-2668.
— Pat Harper
Your own solstice
At the Mid-Summer’s Night program at River Trail Nature Center, visitors can volunteer to hold a flashlight or a sphere, which represents the Earth with a red dot showing where Chicago sits, in order to act out the phenomenon that creates the summer solstice. Everyone can listen to stories inspired by the seasonal happening. In another program, families can learn about the differences between groves of maple and basswood trees and groves of oaks and hickories. Squirrels and bluejays and other creatures already know one of the differences. Oaks and hickories produce nuts that make a nice meal.
Mid-Summer’s Night, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $1; preregistration is required; Maples, Oaks and Grasses, 1:30 Sunday, free; River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, 847-824-8360.
— Nancy Maes
Day on the town
Head west for a day of family fun at the Huntley Town Picnic Sunday. The day offers entertainment, sports games, tournaments and food vendors from area restaurants. While you’re there, browse through the craft fair. Huntley Town Picnic, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Diecke Park, 11419 South Illinois Highway 47, Huntley. Free. 847-669-9600.
–Stephanie Price
An 1890s picnic
Enjoy an old-fashioned Evening in the Country Tuesday at Kline Creek Farm. Bring a friend or the family to this special night presented by the DuPage County Historical Museum and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. The 1890s-style activities include yard games. The night also delivers live music, blacksmithing demonstrations, period tableaus and complimentary refreshments. Plan to bring a picnic supper and spread your blanket on the farmhouse lawn. No alcohol will be permitted.
Evening in the Country, 5 p.m. to dusk Tuesday, Kline Creek Farm, County Farm Road about one-half mile south of North Avenue, Winfield. Free. 630-682-7343.
–Stephanie Price
