It’s always a beautiful day in the neighborhood where Mr. Rogers lives and kids will have a chance to be a part of it at an exhibit at the CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM. They can visit a full-size version of his house just like the one they see on TV. They can open the closet door and find sweaters to try on just like the ones Mr. Rogers wears that were first knit by his own mother. Children can also operate the trolley that travels to the land of make-believe where they can try on the robes of King Friday XIII, Queen Sara Saturday or Prince Tuesday and find out what it feels like to be a member of a royal family. “MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD,” Saturday through Jan. 7, Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., $6.50; 312-527-1000.
— Nancy Maes
A celebration of art comes to Schaumburg this weekend when the village presents the “13th Annual Prairie Arts Festival” Saturday and Sunday. The festival features a fine arts exhibition and sale with 120 painters, sculptors, jewelers and other artists. To coincide with the event, an outdoor festival providing entertainment will be held on the grounds of the Atcher Municipal Center. The Schaumburg Park District will sponsor a children’s craft area under its tent. Admission is free. “13th Annual Prairie Arts Festival” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, Schaumburg Road and Summit Drive, Schaumburg. 847-895-3600.
— Stephanie Price
Spend your weekend enjoying art in the beauty of the outdoors as the “Downtown Fine Arts Show” returns to St. Charles. Held along the banks of the scenic Fox River, this show offers demonstrations, children’s art activities and more. Free admission. “Downtown Fine Arts Show Along the Fox River” 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown St. Charles on Illinois Highway 64. 630-513-5386.
— Stephanie Price
The Joliet Park District is hosting Wildflower Weekends this month to give families an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather outdoors, hike with a naturalist and learn about the environment. Children will also make wildflower crafts during these free outings. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pilcher Park Nature Center, Gougar Road near Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 30, Joliet. 815-741-7277.
— Diana Strzalka
Time marches on, but kids keep right in step with it at a new exhibit at the Kohl Children’s Museum called “Tick Tock: Beyond the Clock.”
In fact, they can step into time by walking right inside a grandfather clock. where they can hear the seconds ticking away and move to the rhythm of the pendulum. Kids can explore the fossils in layers of rocks that tell about time periods long ago. They can crawl through a log to discover how time changes caterpillars into butterflies. So they won’t forget, they can make a butterfly headband or timeline to take home. They can examine the many rings of a section of a tree which tells how old it is. They can discover how people change over time by taking a picture of themselves and morph it together with the face of an older person to see what the future has in store. By the end of the exhibit children will have some concrete ideas to help them understand the abstract notion of time.
“Tick Tock,” through Labor Day, Kohl Children’s Museum, 165 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette, $5; 847-256-6056.
— Nancy Maes
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