Fun and Games – Page 6

Kids get to wear their Halloween costumes early at Trunk-or-Treat in Space, Oct. 10, at the Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College in River Grove. (Triton College)

Cernan Earth and Space Center treating kids to candy, sky show

By Myrna Petlicki

September 28, 2026 at 5:07 p.m.

The third annual Trunk-or-Treat in Space is planned for Oct. 10 at the Cernan Earth...

FILE – A Tickle Me Elmo doll is photographed in New York on Dec. 4, 1996. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Bingo and Tickle Me Elmo nominated for Toy Hall of Fame. Will Care Bears also make it this year?

By Mark Kennedy

September 16, 2026 at 12:02 p.m.

Tickle Me Elmo dolls, the game of chance Bingo and the humble playground slide are...

Lowell's Harvest Tyme is one of 20 farms in North America that joined the corn maze campaign in a fundraising effort to benefit Dolly Parton's nonprofit organization, Imagination Library. (Photo provided by Jason Wisniewski)

Dolly Parton-themed corn maze in Lowell to raise funds for Imagination Library

By Anna Ortiz

September 16, 2026 at 10:58 a.m.

This Saturday, fans will get a chance to get lost in the late country icon’s...

This image provided by NASA shows a downlink image of Earth taken by NASA’s Artemis II astronaut commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for April 4

By Claire Malon

April 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Animal acts may have gone by the wayside, but the Triton Troupers Circus continues the circus tradition of showcasing circus skills such as acrobatics. (Fonso Orozco)

Triton Troupers teachers, performers reflect on changing nature of circus arts

By Myrna Petlicki

April 2, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Animal acts have mostly gone away, but the show must go on for the Triton...

Dressed as characters from “The Simpsons,” Julieta Sanchez, 7, looks up at her father, Juan Sanchez, during C2E2 at McCormick Place, March 29, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Do you speak geek? Translating the many languages of C2E2.

By Christopher Borrelli

March 31, 2026 at 1:04 p.m.

Learning the lingo behind all the different fan cultures can feel overwhelming at the annual...

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner stands with teammates for the national anthem Thursday, March 26, 2026, on opening day at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 28

By Grace Miserocchi

March 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Jenny Bechtold, La Grange Park District executive director, explains the district’s decision to retain natural turf on its playing fields during a recent League of Women Voters forum at the La Grange Public Library. (Hank Beckman/Pioneer Press)

La Grange Park District talk offers insight into artificial turf decision

By Hank Beckman

March 24, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

The La Grange Park District was faced with tough turf choice after they successfully passed...

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton celebrates her win in the Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate with her husband, Bryan Echols, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at CineCity Studios Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 21

By Claire Malon

March 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

Robbins Park in Hinsdale is getting a new playground with help from the family of a former resident. (Pioneer Press)

Former resident’s family donates $200K for new playground in Hinsdale

By Chuck Fieldman

March 20, 2026 at 2:59 p.m.

Officials in Hinsdale are partnering with the family of a former resident to build a...

Windy City Thunderbolts pitcher Carsen Plumadore and his wife, Avery, stand with Max Kotel, of Alsip, whose family is hosting the player this season. The Kotels have been a host family for Thunderbolts players for several years. “I love that (Max) gets to have somebody that he can look up to because he’s an only child,” Jen Kotel said. (Jen Kotel)

Reaching home: Area families open doors so Windy City Thunderbolts players can chase baseball dreams

By Melinda Moore

March 14, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Crestwood-based Windy City Thunderbolts baseball team recruits host families to house players each season, forming...

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while traveling aboard Air Force One en route from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Miami, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 14

By Grace Miserocchi

March 20, 2026 at 12:50 a.m.

Think you know what went on in the world of Chicago politics, sports and pop...

A newer version of the Barbie doll, right, stands next to the original 1959 doll in Malibu, Calif., Wednesday, March 4, 2009. The Barbie doll was introduced on March 9, 1959.(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Today in History: Barbie doll introduced at the American International Toy Fair

By Associated Press

March 9, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

On March 9, 1959, the Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in...