Sometimes the only way to get through the chilly winter months is to employ a little imagination. Tell your young kids, for example, that you're taking them on a trip to the North Pole when you take them to the annual Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. The psychological damage they experience when they realize you've lied to them will be minimal, we promise. Just don't say anything about Santa Claus. The first of the three Saturdays is coming up Dec. 13 from noon to 4 p.m.; subsequent dates are Jan. 17 and Feb. 21. Admission is free. Families can explore the wild of Northerly Island, meeting live animals and participating in winter activities like free snowshoe rental (only if there's snow, natch). Watch Nadeau's Ice Sculptures carve unique wintery creations, observe an Arctic camping demo by Northwest Passage, and admire Siberian Huskies while their adventurers talk about their Iditarod dog sled races. There will also be winter storytelling, and the first 500 visitors receive a complimentary Polar Adventure Day mug filled with piping hot chocolate, limit one per person. Even the North Pole doesn't have service like that.
Northerly Island
1400 S. Lynn White Dr. on the Museum Campus
312-742-PLAY
