Children can find out what Chicago was like long before there were video games and VCRs. At the Chicago Historical Society, the HISTORY HANDS-ON program will transport them back to the city’s beginnings. They can see how an old printing press worked, how candles were made and how quilts were stitched. They can also climb aboard the Pioneer, which was Chicago’s first locomotive, and use simple materials to create the sound effects of old-time radio shows. History Hands-On, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Chicago Historical Society, Clark Street at North Avenue, $3 adults, $1 children. 312-642-4600.
PARENTSWORLD & kidzworld Expo ’97 offers information for parents and entertainment for children. While adults can find out about ways and means to be better parents at booths and seminars, children can enter a FunZone for various ages where they can make putty, slime or musical instruments, meet snakes and monkeys, play sports games and try out carnival rides. They can also enjoy entertainment by performers such as The Rope Warrior and Carlton the Mime as well as storytellers Nancy Donoval and Naomi Leithold.
PARENTSWORLD & kidsworld, 2-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Arlington International Racecourse, Ill. Hwy. 53 and Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, $5 adults, $3 children. 847-520-7962.
Bill Camplin says he loves to sing and he will share that pleasure at a number of concerts at some Zany Brainy stores. He will sing songs from his album “Flying Home” about the memories of a happy childhood as well as the perils of crossing the toy-strewn floor of a child’s room at night and the antics of some unruly kids.
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Bill Camplin Mini-Concert, Zany Brainy stores, 7 p.m. Friday, 307 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-559-0202; 1 p.m. Saturday, 150 Barrington Ave., W. Schaumburg, 847-798-7737; 4 p.m. Saturday, 18 Blanchard Circle, Wheaton, 630-653-4332; 1 p.m. Sunday, 2155 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, 630-574-9244; 4 p.m. Sunday, 1943 Glacier Park Ave., Naperville; 630-420-7889. Free.
Storyteller Shanta will tell African folk tales that speak of peace, healing and self-discovery this weekend at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this program, which is part of the institute’s celebration of African American Heritage Month, Shanta will perform poetry and use musical instruments to create the rhythms of the continent.
“Songs and Stories of African People Performed by Shanta,” 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Kraft Education Center, Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue at Adams Street, $7 adults, $3.50 children. 312-443-3680.
“Phoebe’s Closet” is a play about a young girl who locks herself up in a closet to escape her fear of being left home alone. There, she discovers creatures who look strangely like the clothes that clutter her hideaway. These aliens take her away to another galaxy in a spherical black space ship that resembles an oversized bowling ball. Her strange encounters will give her the insight to overcome her fear. While the play seems more intent on delivering the message than telling a story, the staging, special effects, set design and costumes give it a lot of visual appeal.
“Phoebe’s Closet,” through Feb. 22, Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook, $5, reservations required. 847-291-2367.
In celebration of Black History Month Northwestern University’s Kids Fare will present faculty member William Warfield who will narrate a summary of the musical “Porgy and Bess.” He will join other singers in performing excerpts that will include such classics as “Summertime” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.”
Kids Fare, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 1977 S. Campus Drive, Northwestern University, Evanston. $4 adults, $2 children. 847-491-5441.