Cheap family-friendly events

Free

BOO-Nanza

The Wheeling Park District hosts its BOO-Nanza event for children ages 10 and younger on Friday. Kids can take part in an afternoon at the Creepy Reeky Castle, hunt for candy in a straw maze, decorate pumpkins and feast on popcorn and lemonade. Participants can also get some exercise in the gymnasium, which will be transformed into a kid fantasy of inflatables.

1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at the Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Free and open to the public. (847) 465-3333.

Crafts and more

St. Charles Episcopal Church's Craft Fair highlights holiday and home-decorating items, children's clothing and toys, adult fashion accessories, handcrafted jewelry and candles and woodwork items. If you get hungry, stop by the fair's bake sale.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. Free admission. Handicapped accessible. (630) 584-2596 or stcharlesepiscopal.org.

Amelia's author

Herman Parish, author of many of the Amelia Bedelia children's books, will take part in a storytime event where he reads from his latest book about the young Amelia, “Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie. Parish was in grade school when his aunt, author Peggy Parish, wrote the first book about Amelia Bedelia. After Peggy Parish died in 1988, Herman Parish took over the writing of Amelia Bedelia's adventures.

4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. The event is free and open to the public. (847) 446-8880.

$10 and under

‘School House Rock Live! Jr.'

The Children's Theatre of Elgin presents “School House Rock Live! Jr. Follow the character of “Mr. Mizer on his first day of teaching, as his thoughts come to life in the form of catchy songs that teach about math, language arts, science and history. Tunes include “Conjunction, Junction and “Zero, My Hero. The program is designed to help kids have fun while learning.

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $8-$10. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.

Have some hobbies?

The iHobby Expo, the largest hobby show in the country, features a wide variety of model and hobby materials. Items include helicopters, boats, slot cars, model trains, military models and more. Youngsters at the show can take part in activities such as racing a slot car and riding in and/or running a miniature train. More than 500 booths will feature the latest in the hobby world.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23-24, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for those older than 65. Children younger than 10 and Scouts in uniform admitted free. (847) 692-2222 or GiantShow.com.

Walking with ghosts

The Geneva History Center invites the public to its Geneva Ghost Walks, guided walking tours of haunted Geneva. The event runs rain or shine. Participants should wear comfortable shoes.

Walks begin at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Tickets cost $5-$10. (630) 232-4951 or genevahistorycenter.org.

Spooky songs

The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band presents a “Chillers and Thrillers concert, featuring music from “Batman, “Psycho, “Sweeney Todd and more.

2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is $5. (847) 718-7702 or arlingtoneheightsband.org.

Fairs and festivals

BOO-Nanza, Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling: 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. Halloween festivities for children ages 10 and younger. Free. (847) 465-3333.

Buffalo Grove Great Pumpkin Hunt, Willow Stream Park, 600 Farrington Drive, Buffalo Grove: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. $5 for Buffalo Grove Park District residents, $10 for nonresidents. Visit bgparkdistrict.org.

Creatures of the Night Halloween Fest, Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 22-24. Features “The Trail of Terror pathway with scary scenes along with a “Haunted Tram. For younger guests, not-so-scary activities include a Monster Mash Dance Party, pumpkin carving, cookie decorating and more. Free (except cookie decorating, pumpkin carving and the carousel) with paid general zoo admission. Kids 2 and younger admitted free. Parking is free after 6 p.m. Combo zoo and Creatures of the Night tickets cost $12-$18. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org.

Family Octoberfest, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, 288 E. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Fun and games for young kids and families; dodgeball tournament and more for older kids from 2 to 4 p.m. (847) 683-3450 or scbparish.org.

Hallowfest: A Garden of Good ... and Evil, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, and 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Entertainment on two stages, Halloween crafts and a tour of the Model Railroad Garden, decorated in ghostly lights with ghost trains. Guests are invited to dress in costumes. $16. chicagobotanic.org/hallowfest.

Harvest Hayride and Bonfire, Twin Lakes Recreation Area, 1200 Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine: 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. $5 per person. Sponsored by the Salt Creek Rural Park District. (847) 259-6890.

Haunted Harvest, Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, I-94 at Route 176, Libertyville: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. All-night pass $15; kids 3 and younger free with purchase of an adult pass. Individual activity pricing is also available: graveyard golf $5, creature walk $5, enchanted carousel $3, train of terror $5. (847) 362-4636 or lambsfarm.org.

Morton Arboretum's Fall Color Festival, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: Through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features a “Scarecrow Trail with scarecrows decorated by local scouting groups, fall crafts, a gourd show and sale, fall fare and more. General admission is $8-$11. Free parking. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

Pumpkinfest, Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View: Through Sunday, Oct. 31. Hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, pony rides, children's carnival rides and inflatables. New this year is a Big Cats exhibit, camel rides and a 200-creature exhibit. Farmstand features homegrown vegetables, fall decorations and pumpkins. Food includes pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts. Hours and fees vary. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com.

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, downtown Sycamore: Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 27-31. Hundreds of decorated pumpkins, teen and kiddie carnivals, a scary stories program, a house walk, a pie-eating contest, an antique craft and flea market and other family activities. Visit sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.