Outdoor Playground. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., 773-643-4062, hpnclub.org, $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. Indoor Tot Lot if raining.
Infant Playgroup. 10 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., 773-643-4062, hpnclub.org,sdiwan@hpnclub.org, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass. Playtime along with infant-oriented music time toward the end of class. Intended for infants and toddlers from birth to 18-months-old.
Family Program: Boy Scout Archaeology Merit Badge Workshop. 6-8 p.m., Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th Street, Chicago, 773-702-9514, oi.uchicago.edu, $10 per scout with family membership, $15 without. Scouts experience a simulated dig, go on a scavenger hunt and participate in a ceramic reconstruction to work toward their archaeology badges. This program fulfills 1-4a, 6, 8c,(…)
Zen Meditation. 5-6:30 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-702-2100, free
Lecture. “Afghanistan in the Achaemenid and Hellenistic Eras.” 7-9 p.m., Oriental Institute, Breasted Hall, 1155 E. 58th St., 773-834-9775. Philippe Marquis, Director of the French Archeological Delegation to Afganistan, presents. Reception follows.
Lecture. “Words Matter: Storytelling with President Obama in an Age of Sound Bites.” 4:30-6 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau presents.
Musical Performance. New Organ Recital: Lunch with Mr. Skinner. 12:30-1 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-702-2100, free. Part of a series of recitals with Tom Weisflog and guest organists.
Lectures. The Changing Nature of Security in a New Century. Noon-1:30 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. Former Colorado Senator and presidential candidate Gary Hart presents.