Arts and Crafts Events
Arts and Crafts
- Events
- Arts and Crafts
Art in Nature Festival
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Come observe artists at work. Art activities for both kids and adults. Music, dance and artwork for sale.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, movement, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Sep 11: Gardening Oct 9: Changing Colors Nov […]
Art in the Prairie
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Go on a walk and create nature-inspired art. Supplies provided.
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories and crafts. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Book Swap
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Bring in gently used books and leave with some new-to-you books! Any genre and reading level; nature-themed, large print, braille, […]
Story Trail
Catherine Chevalier Woods • Chicago, IL 60656Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, experience a story unfold along a short trail. A craft is available to take home upon […]
Teen Exploration Day: Crafternoon
Bremen Grove • Cook County, IL 60477 (near Tinley Park)Use nature to inspire art and try your hand at a variety of arts and crafts. Ages 13-19.
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
Story Trail
Catherine Chevalier Woods • Chicago, IL 60656Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, experience a story unfold along a short trail. A craft is available to take home upon […]
Party for the Preserves
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the Forest Preserves of Cook County on National Public Lands Day. Fall Flower Walks: 10:30 am & 1:30 pm […]
Halloween Hoot and Howl
Keystone Park • River Forest, IL 60305Join our partners the River Forest Public Library and River Forest Park District for an evening of slightly spooky family […]
Pumpkinpalooza
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646Pumpkin painting, bowling, ring toss, leaf rubbing, fall-themed obstacle course, and more. Supplies limited. Presented with Jerome Witte, My Town Realty […]
Awe of Nature
Midlothian Meadows • Cook County, IL 60428Join The Nature Conservancy as they connect people to nature through environmental engagement and community partners.
Annual Arts and Crafts Fair
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480We’re celebrating our 59th Annual Arts and Craft Fair! Art of all styles will be sold by artists inspired by […]
Small Serendipity
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Nature stories and crafts. Children ages 3-6 w/ adult.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, movement, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Sep 11: Gardening Oct 9: Changing Colors Nov […]
Bird painting Step-by-Step: Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305For beginners and intermediate artists. All materials provided. $5/person. Ages 18 & up.
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft, and go on an adventure. Ages 3-6 w/ adult; siblings welcome. Tickets on a […]
Fall Paddle Festival
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Embrace the fall season with nature-based activities on and off the water. Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, pumpkin […]
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun. Entertainment, beekeeping demonstrations, animal encounters, pumpkin painting, honey sales, and more! […]
Creative Reuse Collage
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Create a collage inspired by nature using repurposed materials. Light refreshments provided. All ages.
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a nature-based art activity. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
Dan Ryan Music Jam
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Make music with the community and listen to local talent.
Trunk or Treat
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with plenty of […]
Fall Art
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Let the fall color be your inspiration as you paint and create leaf art. Ages 3-7 w/ adult.
Spooky Stories & S’mores
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Families can trick-or-treat through Halloween-themed activity stations. Pumpkin painting, make s’mores & listen to spooky children’s stories. Costumes encouraged!
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft, and go on an adventure. Ages 3-6 w/ adult; siblings welcome. Tickets on a […]
Nature Story Trail
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail while reading “Thanks to the Animals” by Allen Sockabasin of the Passamaquoddy Nation. Afterwards, stop in […]
Dia de Los Muertos Artmaking and Night Hike
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Celebrate the history of Dia de los Muertos with artmaking and a night hike.
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves 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 Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
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
The Forest Preserves is 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.