‘Jellybean People’ are sweet treat in Skokie

• Reprints

“Mileep and the Attack of the Jellybean People,” presented Jan. 19-29 by the Young Actors Ensemble at Mayer Kaplan JCC in Skokie, blends lessons with fun for young audiences.

Kids will realize how bad sweets can be after they see “Mileep and the Attack of the Jellybean People.” The original science fiction musical is being presented by the Young Actors Ensemble at 7 p.m. Thursdays, and noon and 3:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 19-29, at the Mayer Kaplan JCC, 5050 Church St., Skokie.

“It’s the story of a boy who is with his family on a boring, boring planet,” said director and co-author Robert Bouwman. Workers on the planet make things for earth.

“Mileep has an overactive imagination,” Bouwman said. “Soon the people in his life become a part of his fantasy world. He has to find the key to his imagination in order to save the world from the evil Jellybean People who are trying to take over.”

The cast consists of 15 children, ages 9-15.

Tickets are $15, $10 for ages 8-12, $5 for kids 7 and under.

For details, call (847) 763-3518 or visit www.gojcc.org/content/view/100/130/.

Skate with Skates

The Chicago Wolves’ mascot, Skates, will be greeting fans at the Oakton Ice Arena Open House, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at 2800 W. Oakton, Park Ridge. All ages are welcome. There’s a $1 entry fee. Skate rentals are free while supplies last.

For details, call (847) 692-3359 or visit www.prparks.org.

Flight plan

The name of the event says it all: It’s a Paper Airplane Contest! Kids in first through sixth grade will fold paper to create an aircraft, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. After that, there will be a test flight to see which designs work best in terms of distance, accuracy and flight time. A grownup has to stay with first- and second-graders. Registration is required.

For details, call (847) 663-1234 or visit www.nileslibrary.org.

Weasel your way in

That will be easy at Wily Weasels, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at Wildwood Nature Center, 529 Forestview Ave., Park Ridge. Kids and parents are invited to learn about these playful creatures, create a related craft and meet a member of the family that lives at Wildwood. Cost is $15 per family.

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

Zoo to you

Kids will have hands-on experiences with animals when Scales and Tales Traveling Zoo visits the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 21. Register by Jan. 19.

For details, call (847) 324-3149 or visit www.skokielibrary.info.