Arts & Crafts
Events
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Painting by the Slough
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Enjoy the beauty of freshwater ecosystems through watercolor painting. All levels welcome. Supplies include paper, watercolor palettes and paint brushes. Feel free to bring an […]
Free • Registration Closed -
Weaving a Community
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn weaving techniques and its history as well as the natural history of invasive plants. Supplies provided.
Free -
Natural Dyes Workshop
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn how to turn natural materials into fabric dyes. Color a bandana or bring your own 100% cotton item. Ages 10 & up.
Free • Registration Closed -
Wee Wonders: Hummingbirds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Trace Monotype Printing
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Learn about monotype printmaking! Create your own one-of-a-kind print. Materials provided. All levels welcome. Drop in.
Free -
Craftpalooza
National Grove-South • North Riverside, IL 60546Kids, get creative! Help decorate a large canvas with stamps, paint and markers. Presented with the North Riverside Public Library.
Free -
Hummingbird Fest
FeaturedSagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Let's celebrate hummingbirds and learn how they connect nature, people and culture. View hummingbirds in the garden, chat with naturalist staff all things hummingbirds, visit […]
Free -
Watercolor Workshop with Berry-based Paints
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Navraaz Basati of Wandering Paths, LLC on a forest therapy walk, then paint using plant-based inks on seed paper.
Free • Registration Required -
Summertime Stories
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories in Chinese followed by nature-based art and activities. Ages 10 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wonders: Hummingbirds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Environmental Education Camp
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Running from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, this camp helps children build teamwork skills through survival challenges, activities, and games. Group 1 is for ages […]
$25 • Registration Required -
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Nature Arts for Health: Nature Journal Making
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Experience the positive interaction between nature art and wellness in this fun, interactive art class. Led by University of Illinois-Extension.
Free • Registration Required -
Junior Naturalist Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Earn a Junior Naturalist badge by taking a short walk, then doing an indoor activity book. Ages 6-12 w/ caregiver.
Free -
Little Red Rocks
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Share or enjoy music and poetry as the sun sets during our open-mic night.
Free • Registration Required -
Summer Artisan Series: Floral Arranging
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select evenings. New topics each month.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.
Free • Registration Required -
Twilight Creations: Open Art Space
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Musicians, poets and visual artists find inspiration during the twilight hours indoors or outdoors.
Free -
Nature Weaving Workshop for Seniors
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join local artist Phyllis Frick in exploring weaving with natural vegetation, seeds and more. Materials provided.
Free • Registration Required -
Art in Nature Festival
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Bring out your inner artist and create your own masterpiece using different mediums. Experience live art demonstrations and go home with a one-of-a-kind piece. Local […]
Free -
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“The Grown-Ups”
Featured Weekly Wellness ProgrammingCaldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646This funny, deeply human play invites audiences to gather close and “lose” themselves in the woods. Presented with The Tramps. (Begins at sunset.)
Free • Registration Required -
Tiny Tot Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join your little ones and enjoy nature through movement, art and sensory play.
Free -
Twilight Creations: Open Art Space
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Musicians, poets and visual artists find inspiration during the twilight hours indoors or outdoors.
Free -
National Hummingbird Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore the conservation and historical importance of these birds throughout the Americas: Family-friendly activities and crafts: 10 am to 3 pm Walking presentation for ages […]
Free -
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts, and activities. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Fall Colors
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Faire at the Square-Drop-in
FeaturedCummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy our "creative-reuse carnival" with themed games made from repurposed materials! Win prizes and learn about local plants and animals.
Free -
Crafternoon: Printmaking
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Create a nature print project (tote bag, scarf or bring your own item).
Free -
Magical Forest Houses
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Search for tiny, enchanted, homes built by mythical elves. These homes, built with natural materials, are hidden along our Farm Pond Trail. Scan the QR […]
Free -
Landscape Needle Felting
Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Explore the beauty of our natural landscape using natural fibers. Supplies provided. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Nature Fest
FeaturedLaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630Engage with local environmental groups and businesses while enjoying food, games, Jesse White Tumblers, and animal ambassadors. Groves 1–4.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Fall Colors
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Trailside Fall Jam
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple musical instrument or bring your own and join the jam! All are welcome to join or listen.
Free -
Fall Artisan Series: Flower Press
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select Wednesday evenings. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Nature Arts for Health
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Experience nature, art and wellness in this fun, interactive class using rocks to create art. Led by University of Illinois Extension.
Free -
Buckthorn Dyeing Workshop
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Join Katelyn Patton to learn basics of plant-based dyes while deepening your relationship to local ecology.
Free • Registration Required -
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Celebrate diverse, vibrant Hispanic cultures with dance performances, arts and nature education, and local food! Center of Peruvian Arts performance at 12 pm, Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec […]
Free • Registration Required -
Sukkah Building
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join community members to decorate a miniature sukkah from natural materials. All ages are welcome!
Free -
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts, and activities. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Free -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Help your children connect with nature through stories, art and exploration.
Free -
Party for the Preserves
FeaturedRiver Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate National Public Lands Day at our annual Party for the Preserves. Arrive in the morning and make a toy boat with natural materials and […]
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Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the places that bring us together with a day of outdoor fun for all ages. Enjoy a bilingual prairie walk, family activities, hands-on seed […]
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Salsa Dance: Party for the Preserves
FeaturedThatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Dance into National Public Lands Day and Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of live music, salsa dancing and festive outdoor fun. Bring your family and friends […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCamp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a day of activities. Paddle in 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry. Funkadesi brings joyful tunes blending music from around the world. View the night sky with telescopes and walks. Noon–3 pm: 4H Kick off, […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves: Acoustics Under the Stars
FeaturedCamp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate the connection between public lands and folk music with performances, a guided walk and hot dog roast. Bring your own instruments and join in […]
Free • Registration Required -
Beautiful Sounds at Sunset
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Spend time outdoors with the sounds of nature and soothing instruments around a fire with certified instructor Gail. Bring a cushion. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
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Doggie Date Night
FeaturedDan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Calling all dog lovers! Costume dog parade, crafts, photo booth and raffle prizes. Dogs must be friendly and remain on leash.
Free -
Halloween Hoot and Howl
FeaturedKeystone Park • River Forest, IL 60305Spooky family fun featuring live music, pumpkin painting and more. Presented with the River Forest Park District and River Forest Public Library.
Free -
Fall in Focus
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Bring a camera or phone and join a guided photography hike. Ages 10 & up.
Free -
73rd Annual Powwow
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634Celebrate Native American culture and enjoy traditional Powwow, food and more. Presented with American Indian Center of Chicago. Grove 9
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Pumpkinpalooza
Featured Weekly Wellness ProgrammingCaldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Paint pumpkins and bowl, dye buckthorn, play ring toss, maneuver through a fall-themed obstacle course, and more! Supplies limited.
Free -
Animal Enrichment Studio
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about animal behavior while crafting enrichment items ambassador animals! Ages 10 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Hispanic Heritage Month Nature Art Studio
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create art inspired by renowned Hispanic artists. All ages. Drop in.
Free -
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories, crafts, and activities. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Free -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop
Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.
Free • Registration Required -
Sounds Natural Creative Retreat
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy art, wellness workshops, food and music. Limited camping spaces available for optional overnight. Presented with Sounds Natural.
Free • Registration Required -
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making decorative sugar skulls. Vibrantly colored sugar skulls represent the circle of life and are ornamental gifts for friends and […]
Free -
Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop
Palos Park Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.
Free • Registration Required -
Weaving with Weeds: Cattail Mat
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the history of basketry/weaving techniques and create a small project with a common invasive plant. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Little Sprouts Sound Lab
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore nature through sensory activities, outdoor listening and sound‑making. Ages 2-6 w/ adult. Siblings welcome.
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Fall Artisan Series: Felting
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select Wednesday evenings. Ages 18 & up.
Free -
Spooky Shuffle 5k/10k
Swallow Cliff Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Race through then pristine Sag Valley Trail System. Presented with Village of Palos Park.
Free • Registration Required -
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Free -
REACH Nature Navigators
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646A high-energy outdoor adventure guiding visitors through a Leave No Trace scavenger hunt, shelter building and backpack challenges, wilderness first aid demos, river critter investigations, […]
Free -
Sounds Natural Creative Retreat
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy art, wellness workshops, food and music. Limited camping spaces available for optional overnight. Presented with Sounds Natural.
Free • Registration Required
