Picking a pet — and caring for it — in Park Ridge

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Kids will learn about pets of all sorts — and the repsonsibilities inherent in owning and caring for a pet — during Picking a Pet, Tuesday at Wildwood Nature Center in Park Ridge.

Owning a pet is a long-term commitment. That’s one of the messages Leslie Hurtt, manager of Thee Fish Bowl in Evanston, will convey during Picking a Pet, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Wildwood Nature Center, 529 Forestview Ave., Park Ridge.

Before choosing a pet, people should understand “how long the commitment is and how much care they’re realistically willing to put into it,” Hurtt said. “A lot of kids get excited about a new hamster or guinea pig and then in six months they’ve moved on to something else.”

Hurtt will bring several animals for kids to hold and pet, including a small bunny, Australian water dragon and possibly her own pet, a golden conure (parrot) named Harry Potter. She will also answer questions “and address the general care of each animal that we bring,” Hurtt said.

The cost is $15 per family, $10 per individual.

For details, call (847) 692-3570 or visit www.prparks.org.

Casts a big shadow

The guest of honor at the Groundhog Day Party, 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel, Skokie, will be five feet tall. The giant groundhog will invite everyone outside to visit his home. Then participants will make a groundhog shadow puppet and have hot chocolate indoors. Cost is $5. A paying adult must accompany kids. Preregistration is required.

For details, call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2500 or visit www.skokieparks.org.

Safety measures

Kids will learn not to be a bully and not to be bullied at the No Name-Calling Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Village Crossing Shopping Center Barnes and Noble, 5405 Touhy Ave., Skokie. They will hear One by Kathryn Otoshi and Steven Kroll’s Jungle Bullies.

For details, call (847) 329-8460 or visit www.barnesandnoble.com

Heartfelt greetings

You and your children can spend quality time being creative together at the Card-Making Extravaganza for All Ages, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave. Stamps, cutouts and a computer can all be used to make customized cards. Instruction and assistance will be provided.

For details, call (847) 965-4220 or visit www.webrary.org.

Lesson plan

It won’t cost a penny to learn “How to Train Your Dragon.” The 98-minute, PG-rated film is being shown at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 as part of the Free Kids Film Festival at Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette.

For details, call (847) 849-3272 or visit www.wilmettetheatre.com.