Budget-friendly fun: Laura Ingalls Wilder Day, Touch-a-Tractor and more
Laura's life
Take a closer look at the pioneer life of "Little House on the Prairie" author Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) during Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Activities include candle-dipping, sewing, baking cornbread, blacksmithing, weaving and more. Youngsters can pretend to study in a one-room schoolhouse, just as Wilder and her siblings did long ago. $4.50 residents; $7 nonresidents. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Free
Touch a Tractor
Learn about life on the farm at the 10th annual Touch-a-Tractor family event at the Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Road, St. Charles. Climb on an antique tractor, ride pedal tractors, see modern farm equipment and get an up-close look at farm animals like baby chicks and more. Plus, there will be farm-themed movies and music and a kids' raffle to win a pedal tractor. Free. Refreshments available for purchase; proceeds benefit the KCFB Foundation. (630) 584-8660 or kanecfb.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Friday, April 10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12
Consumer Expo
There's free fun for the whole family - a magic show, dance performances, appearances by "Ozzie" the Kane County Cougars' mascot, a bounce house, balloon art, face painting, pet adoption opportunities and more - at the St. Charles Chamber Consumer Expo at the St. Charles Sportsplex, 1400 Foundry St., St. Charles. Plus, sample fare from local restaurants at the Taste of Fox Valley. Free. stcharleschamber.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Free wheelin'
Kids can climb on and explore dump trucks, fire trucks, police cars and other large vehicles when the Glen Ellyn Park District hosts its Touch-A-Truck event in Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn. Free. gepark.org. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11
$15 and under
Play On!
The College of Lake County Theatre Department presents a trio of comedic one-act plays - "Mary Just Broke Up With This Guy" by Garth Wingfield, "Soap Opera" by David Ives and "Wanda's Visit" by Christopher Durang - in its "Play On!" program at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. CLC students take on the entire production, working as actors, directors, stage managers and technicians. $7-$9. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 10-11; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 16-18
Golden Age of Hollywood
Movie fans and memorabilia collectors can browse through thousands of items at the Golden Age of Hollywood Show at the Holiday Inn North Shore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie. DVDs, 16 mm film, film books, movie magazines, posters, movie stills, celebrity autographs and collectible toys will be on display. $5; free for kids younger than 18 when accompanied by a paying adult. goldenageofhollywoodshow.com. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Great Midwest Train Show
The Great Midwest Train Show, featuring 180 exhibitors with a wide variety of train scales and gauges, makes a stop at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 1500 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Highlights include operating train displays, including a Lego layout and a hands-on HO scale layout. Guests can have their own model trains appraised or repaired at the show. $7 adults; free for kids younger than 12. greatmidwesttrainshow.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12
Remembering the Civil War
The Glen Ellyn Historical Society presents DuPage County historian Kurt Carlson as he discusses Chicago's role in the Civil War in a program at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Carlson, a member of both the Glen Ellyn Historical Society and three Civil War roundtables, will focus on how Chicago supported troops and assisted with the transportation of supplies. Tickets are available at Stacy's Corners Store, at the history center's address. $5 for adults; free for students. (630) 469-1867 or glenellynhistory.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16