International Vulture Awareness Day
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the important members of nature’s clean-up crew! Meet our turkey vulture and make a cute vulture craft.
Arts and Crafts Events
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Arts and Crafts
Colors of the Forest – Natural Dyes
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Hands-on class teaching the traditional uses of plants and trees as dyes. In partnership with Trickster Gallery as part of […]
Faire at the Square
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy this “creative-reuse carnival” with themed games made from re-purposed materials! Win prizes, learn about nature, and more.
Migrating Monarchs Celebration
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Travel and trace the butterfly’s migration route through fun activities, kid’s crafts and more. Learn how you can help monarchs […]
Art in Nature
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate creativity and color as all ages are invited to try different media and techniques to create art. Sculpt, paint […]
Nature Open Mic Night
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Perform songs and poetry or relax and enjoy the live performances while overlooking the slough at sunset.
Nature Story Trail “It’s Fall” by Linda Glaser
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail near the Museum while reading the posted story. Afterwards, stop in the Museum lobby to pick […]
Art Fair
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for the Annual Arts and Craft Fair! Art of all styles will be sold by artists inspired by […]
Story Trail (en Español)
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Experience a story unfold along a short, looped trail. A craft is available to take home after you complete the […]
Halloween Hoot and Howl
Keystone Park • River Forest, IL 60305Join our partners the River Forest Public Library and the River Forest Park District for an evening of slightly spooky […]
Awe of Nature
Midlothian Meadows • Cook County, IL 60428Join us in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and community organizations for the annual Awe of Nature Festival! The festival […]
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634In partnership with the American Indian Center of Chicago, join us to celebrate Native American culture with a mini-Powwow. Make […]
Not Your Typical Pumpkin Party
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Why should the kids have all the fun? An adults-only pumpkin decorating night. Materials & refreshments provided. Ages 21 & […]
$25
Bird painting Step-by-Step: Screech Owl
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint. For both beginners and more experienced artists. All materials provided.
$5
Fall Paddle Festival
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Participate in a canoe trip, fishing, archery, Dia de los Muertos-themed pumpkin painting, nature play, and Bach-to-Rock music. The rain […]
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun, entertainment, beekeeping demonstrations, pumpkin painting, honey sales, activities and more! […]
Hip-Hop Olympics
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Medals awarded to winners of professionally juried competitive MC’ing, DJ’ing, Dance, Visual Art, Knowledge and Quintathlon categories. Registration starts at […]
Pumpkinpalooza
Bunker Hill • Niles, IL 60714Family-friendly activities including pumpkin painting and bowling, ring toss, leaf rubbings, fall-themed obstacle course, and more. In partnership with Jerome […]
Teen Exploration Day: Pumpkin Carving
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Carve a pumpkin while surrounded by the natural beauty within the Forest Preserves. Supplies provided.
Stars, Spooky Stories, & S ’mores
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Join a family-friendly evening with a cozy fire, s ’mores, a “spooky” story trail, star gazing, pumpkin painting and more. […]
Trunk or Treat
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Sponsored by the East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with plenty of candy.
Día de los Muertos
Eggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Join us for a free family-friendly event to celebrate el Día de los Muertos at Eggers Grove. There will be […]
Autumnal Artmaking
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Get inspired by the colors of the season as we paint tree cookies and make art with fallen leaves. All […]
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Make a simple musical instrument or bring your own and join the jam by playing or listening.
Crafternoon
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Let nature inspire your creativity. Join in on various nature-themed arts and crafts projects. Hosted at Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion.
Teen Exploration Day: Knitting in Nature
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the basics of knitting and simple techniques through a tutorial led by staff. Supplies provided. Ages 13 & […]
Woodworking with Invasives
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Repurpose the common European buckthorn into something new. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up. Participants under 16 must be accompanied […]