Cooking, Moving Stories, Valentine's Soap and More: Grab & Go Kids Planner

Welcome to our new Grab & Go Kids Planner.

We've assembled a weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children.

Each week, we'll give you five family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids’ planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips — just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you.

Culinary Demo, Orland Park 

Where/When: Thursday, 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. at the Bridge Teen Center.

Why go: Learn how to decorate your own special Valentine’s Day cookies. Culinary demos are held every second and fourth Thursday of the month. There are only six spots for the demos, so be sure to register ahead of time on the Bridge’s website.

Pricing: Free.

Stories That Move You, Orland Park

Where/When: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Orland Park Public Library

Why go: Story reading becomes more physical with music and movement to help motivate children and tap into their creativity.  For ages 3-5.

Pricing: Free, though attendees need to have an OPPL card.

Make Soap at the Center, Palos Park

Where/When: Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the

Why go: Learn how make special heart-shaped soap for Valentine’s Day, with messages printed in them. Call 708-361-3650 and register.

Pricing: $15

The Wizard of Oz, University Park

Where/When: Friday at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Performing Arts at Governors State University in University Park.

Why go: Local children perform in this Missoula Children’s Theatre production about Dorothy’s journey over the rainbow to a magical land populated by witches, wizards, munchkins and talking scarecrows.

Pricing: General admission tickets are $10, order by calling 708-235-2222.

Fishing & Outdoor Show, Tinley Park

Where/When: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Tinley Park High School, 6111 W. 175^th St. in Tinley Park.

Why go: 18^th annual show features outdoors seminars, dozens of exhibits and sponsor booths, free parking and the second annual 2011 Outdoor Kid of the Year competition.

Pricing: Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children 7 to 13. Little anglers 6 and younger get in for free.