Arts & Crafts
Events
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Nature Illustration Workshop
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Guided nature illustrations class for all levels. Supplies provided.
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 -
Spring Breakout Adventure
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Spend your time on break, outside! Try several outdoor recreation activities. Explore, discover and create!
Free -
Meet the Artists: Near West Sketchers Art Opening
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a Meet the Artists evening event as we reveal the newest exhibit in Trailside's Classroom Gallery, featuring an anthology of nature-themed work […]
Free -
Animal Enrichment Studio
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create new items for our ambassador animals then watch how enrichment is used as an important part of their care.
Free -
Tree Faces
FeaturedRiver Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Make faces on our trees with natural materials. All ages.
Free -
Space Celebration: Storytime and Craft
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for an out-of-this-world story-time and outer-space craft during spring break. Ages 2-7 w/ adult.
Free -
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Poet Tree
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Enjoy poetry on the trails to celebrate National Poetry Month. Submit your own stanza for our Poet Tree.
Free -
Story Trail: “It’s Spring” by Linda Glaser
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail while reading the story before picking up a take-home craft and activity. Drop in.
Free -
Spring Break Fest
FeaturedThatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Youth and families, enjoy time out of school! Try archery, build and play with natural materials, learn orienteering, paint a bird house and more.
Free -
Crafternoon-Paint and Sip
Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452Come join us for an evening of art and alcohol. We have templates to paint or do your own thing! BYOB, cups provided. No glass allowed. Ages 21 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Zoo Adventure Passport! (ZAP!): Conservation Science Adventures
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Explore through play-based learning, nature crafts and discovery. In partnership with Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Drop in.
Free -
Paper Making Workshop
Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171Learn how to make paper with recycled materials. Supplies provided. Program held outdoors around a fire. All ages. Drop in.
Free -
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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 -
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Red-winged Blackbird
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint using acrylic paints. For all skill levels. Materials provided. $5/person. Ages 13 & up.
$5 • Registration Required -
Crafternoon
Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Let nature inspire art! Try your hand at different crafts suitable for people of all abilities. This is an accessible site.
Free -
Woodworking with Invasives
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Repurpose common European buckthorn into something new. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up. Ages 10–16 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Weaving with Weeds: Spindle Wall Hanging
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the history of basketry/weaving techniques and create a small wall hanging with invasive plants. Ages 16 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Arab American Heritage Celebration
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Experience art making, cultural showcases and more honoring Arab American culture and contributions. Drop in.
Free -
Bluegrass Jam
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Build a simple instrument with us or bring your own guitar, fiddle, etc. All are welcome to play or listen.
Free -
Sensory Play Day – Drop in
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Engage in activities that stimulate all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. All ages.
Free -
Thursdays in Nature: Signs of Spring
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun-themed activities and crafts for adults and kids. Drop in.
Free -
Crafting Circle
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Join a community of crafters to work on projects together! BYO-materials. Limited supplies available. Drop in.
Free
