Find out what all the Hoopla’s about at festivals for kids

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Active play and fitness activities are the focus of four free Kraft Great Kids Hoopla festivals throughout the city and suburbs.

Updated: September 8, 2011 12:27AM

Ravinia’s 20th annual Kraft Great Kids Concerts series kicks off in a big way at 11 a.m. June 19 with the first of four free Kraft Great Kids Hoopla festivals. The Hooplas aim to bring diverse communities together to learn about fitness in a festive setting.

“We want more children and families being able to benefit from the variety of activities from around the city. We feel Chicago is just rich in culture; neighborhoods have such a rich legacy,” said Nicole Robinson, vice president of community involvement for Kraft Foods Foundation. “I think bringing these children and families together from different neighborhoods to have this great experience together is a great gift to the children and their families.”

Each Hoopla will feature a portable playground, line dancing, yoga, an instrument petting zoo, storytelling, Hula-Hooping (in keeping with the Hoopla theme) and a variety of games along with the opportunity to win prizes. Kids can pick up a passport when arriving at the Hoopla and present the passport to be stamped after they’ve participated in an activity; collect all the stamps to win a prize.

Here’s the lineup:

Kraft Great Kids Concert (June 19 at Ravinia, Lake Cook and Green Bay roads, Highland Park): Hoopla, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dirty Sock Funtime Band, 1 p.m.

Movies in the Park (July 26 at Chicago’s 63rd Street Beach): Hoopla begins at 5 p.m., with a screening of “Babe” at dusk.

Health Is Child’s Play (Aug. 27 at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview): Hoopla from 9 a.m. to noon; free admission all day.

Great Kids Move (Sept. 22 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand): Hoopla, 5-8 p.m. at Chicago Children’s Museum.

For more information, visit kraftgreatkids.com.

The rest of Ravinia’s Kraft concerts include Ko-Thi Dance Company (11 a.m. June 11), Tom Chapin & Friends (11 a.m. July 2), Ralph’s World (1 p.m. July 3), Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players (11 a.m. July 9), the Mariachi Divas (11 a.m. July 30), the Highland Park Strings (11 a.m. Aug. 6) and Momix (11 a.m. Sept. 10).

Tickets are $5 for lawn seats and $10 for reserved seats with the exception of Ralph’s World ($15 for reserved seats). For more information, call (847) 266-5100; ravinia.org.

Jennifer Burklow is a local free-lance writer.