Members of the JOFFREY BALLET OF CHICAGO kick off the season of summer programs for families at RAVINIA. Children will see for themselves that ballet isn’t just tutus and pirouettes. In a piece called “Tensile Involvement” the dancers will use long elastic bands that stretch from floor to ceiling to create all sorts of shapes, and at one point they get all tangled up in them. The performers will also present an excerpt from “Trinity,” which is danced to the rhythm of rock music. In addition, the program will feature “White Widow,” a premiere for the Joffrey, in which one woman performs alone while suspended from a rope. No child will dare say that ballet is boring after seeing what the Joffrey dancers can do. The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Ravinia, Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park, $5; 847-266-5100.
— Nancy Maes
At the Art Institute, in a series of activities called “Summer Sizzle,” performers will help children understand the ways that artists have found to depict the summertime. Families can also play a game in the galleries by exploring a number of works of art that relate to sunny weather and the feelings it evokes. They include one by Mark Rothko, who used the warm colors of orange and yellow in an abstract painting, and Georges Seurat’s famous “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” which shows Parisians enjoying themselves outdoors on a summer day. Children can be creative too by making a watercolor painting on a paperboard plate. “Summer Sizzle,” 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., $8 adults, $5 children; 312-443-3600.
— Nancy Maes
Everyone in your family will have a Swedish time during the Scandinavian Children’s Day festival Sunday. Come out for this Swedish celebration and enjoy Scandinavian entertainment by The Connections of Rockford, Viking games, a scavenger hunt, Swedish pancakes, hot dogs and burgers. Members of the Scandinavian Children’s Club will perform traditional dances. Adults $5; children under 12 free. “Scandinavian Children’s Day,” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Vasa Park, 35W217 Illinois Highway 31, South Elgin. 847-679-4774.
— Stephanie Price
Something fishy’s going on at the Just for Kids Fishing Derby Sunday at Blackwell Forest Preserve. Join in the friendly fishing competition just for kids. Bring your own gear. Bait provided while supplies last. Register at the event. Free. “Just for Kids Fishing Derby,” 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Blackwell Forest Preserve’s Silver Lake, on Butterfield Road one mile east of Illinois Highway 59, Warrenville. 630-871-6401.
Stephanie Price
The Tinley Park Park District is sponsoring a Pet Parade for four-legged, furry, feathery or leathery pets. The wild event will feature prizes for the most unusual, the cutest, the biggest and the smallest. All pets must be leashed or caged. 10 a.m. Saturday. The fee is $3 for children 12 and under and their pets. Register before the parade. McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park. 708-532-8698.
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— Diana Strzalka
The Miniature and Mini-cherubs children’s choirs of the Music Chorale Arts Center of Oak Lawn will perform a variety of favorites as well as a patriotic medley in their show “Kidsing 2000.” The singers are ages 3 to 14. 6:20 p.m. Saturday. $8 adults, $7 students. Little Theater, Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St. 773-471-9083.
— Diana Strzalka