Families can take a walk in the woods with Mark Kater, who will talk about the different trees they encounter and tell stories about trees too. He’ll include a tale about the consequences of greed, featuring trees that dance every one hundred years. Kater will also weave a Japanese tale about a poor farmer who is rewarded for fixing the broken branch of a tree, and a story written by Kater that explains how a face got into a tree.
Storytelling Walk-About, 11 a.m. Saturday and June 15, North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., Free, but preregistration is required; 312-744-5472.
–Nancy Maes
YEA! for young Evanston artists
For the 15th year in a row, children ranging from pre-schoolers to high-schoolers will exhibit their creative works during the Young Evanston Artists, or YEA!, outdoor festival. During the school year these young people have the chance to use every media, from pen and ink to papier mache, to create works inspired by the visit of the author of a children’s book, to make 3-D characters and write stories about them, or to put together masks inspired by other cultures. The performing arts are represented by choirs, an orchestra, a band, some jazz musicians and dance troupes.
Young Evanston Artists, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Chicago Avenue and Dempster Street, Evanston (in case of rain event will be held at Chiarvalle Montessori School, 425 Dempster St.). Free; 847-866-6766.
–N.M.
Dance at the zoo
See dance from a different point of view as students from the Mokena Community Park District’s dance classes present “We’re Going to the Zoo,” on Saturday.
Ballet, tap and jazz dancers will perform zoo-themed numbers, including one accompanied by the sound of a lion’s roar, and another imitating the graceful movements of a tiger.
“We’re Going to the Zoo,” 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Lincoln-Way East High School Fine Arts Center, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort. $2.50 for adults, $1 for children; 708-479-1020.
–Pat Harper
Kids learn safety
Make child safety fun at KidSafe Saturday at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest.
The Village of Hazel Crest and Advocate Health Care are co-sponsors of the event, which features an entertaining approach to helath and safety. Besides a fitness course, face painting, a teddy bear clinic and some live entertainment, there will be presentations by the Illinois State Police Canine Unit, demonstrations on railroad, water and bicycle safety and vision, muscle and balance screenings. The family can also take an up-close look at fire department equipment and get a fingerprinting kit. Admission is free, but non-perishable food items will be accepted for donation to the community’s needy.
KidSafe Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, South Suburban Hospital, 17800 Kedzie Ave., Hazel Crest. Free; 800-323-8622.
–P.H.
Old-time dining
Enjoy good old-fashioned fun as the Dundee Park District celebrates its 50th anniversary with a “Nostalgic Picnic.” Bring the whole family to this free event. You’ll see pioneer-style farming, various demonstrations, an antique car show and a vintage baseball game. While you’re there, you can visit the animals in the barn.
“Nostalgic Picnic” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Randall Oaks Park and Zoo, 17N350 Randall Rd., Dundee. Free; 847-551-4300.
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–Stephanie Price
Art on the move
DuPage Children’s Museum has a new exhibit that will get you moving. The Creativity Connections Gallery opens its first exhibit, “Get A Move On” in the museum on Monday. Kids can step into an office cubicle with a computer controlled by a live mouse and inspire the creature to create a work of digital art. There’s also a model train village, where kids can change the scene as they watch numerous colorful cars roll around the track.
“Get A Move On” opens Monday. Call for various museum hours. DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $6.50; 630-637-8000.
–S.P.