
Events


Nature Play-Date
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join other families in our nature play area for fun and socializing.

Baby Buds
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for nature-themed interactive songs and simple stories. 0-23 months. Tickets […]

S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Strengthen your connection to nature […]

Bird Count at Sulky
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Watch with a naturalist to see who’s winging in.

Nature Thursdays ‘Native Bees’ Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in at Trailside Museum to connect to nature through fun inquiry-based […]

Nature Discovery Day-Drop-in
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)We’ll have nature games, disc golf, art making, fish casting lessons and […]

Wellness in the Woods: Recycled Gardens
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Led by Wandering Paths Founder and Flower Farmer Navraaz Kaur Basati, join […]

Fridays in the Field
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Led by the University of Illinois Extension, discover something new in nature […]

Nature Discovery Day
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305We’ll have nature games, disc golf, art making, fish casting lessons and […]

History of the Lagoons Paddle
Tower Road • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Explore the uniqueness of Skokie Lagoons by way of water. Equipment provided.

Camping 101 – Overnight!
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Part workshop, part campout! Learn camping skills then spend the night. Cost: […]

Mesoamerican Jewels of the Sky
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010A walking exhibition showcasing the cultural importance of hummingbirds in Mesoamerica and […]

Hummingbird Fest
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Join us for activities, viewing, and demos of how the birds are […]

Watercolor Workshop
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Unleash your creative energy with a unique painting workshop where we will […]

What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]

Cultural Presentation and Dance Exhibition
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634A showcase of Native dance forms and cultural presentations. Presented by the […]

Restoration Workday
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help us restore our natural communities of woodland and prairie. Gloves, tools […]

Hummingbird Sit
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Spend time in our garden where our staff will answer your hummingbird […]

Intro to Kayaking Class
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Learn basic skills for beginner kayakers. Equipment provided. Ages 12 and up.

What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals […]

Meandering Mondays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an afternoon guided stroll.

Sunset Serenity Hike
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Enjoy the quiet of sunset as we explore the woods on a […]

Weekly Programming at Camp Reinberg
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Love art and nature? Join the like-minded nature enthusiasts Deer Grove Nature […]
Event Locations
Nearly all events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Ambassador
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Sustainability
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Youth
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
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Sign UpEvent Accessibility
We are committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.