Central Cook County
Events
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Children’s Storytime
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Listen to a nature-themed children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity.
Free -
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. Drop in.
Free -
Trailside Resonance: Listening to Nature
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305A guided soundwalk invites you to slow down and listen to woodland trails, river currents, gardens and native animal habitats.
Free -
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 -
Morning Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join a naturalist as we explore this preserve while looking for local birds. A limited supply of binoculars available for loan at select events. All levels […]
Free • Registration Required -
Story Time in Polish
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Program dla najmłodszych miłośników natury. Z pomocą znanych i lubianych wierszyków poznamy owady, ptaki i inne zwierzęta i poszukamy ich w lesie.
Free • Registration Required -
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. 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.
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Forest Therapy Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and mediative guided nature walk. Led by Roberta Jannsen, University of Illinois Extension volunteer.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Cultural Presentation and Dance Exhibition
Schiller Woods-East • Chicago, IL 60634A showcase of Native dance forms and cultural presentations. Presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago.
Free -
Restoration Workday
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Help us restore our natural communities of woodland and prairie. Equipment provided. Ages 10 & up. Ages 10-14 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a gentle, moderately paced 1-mile walk. Led by Roberta Jannsen, University of Illinois Extension volunteer.
Free • Registration Required -
Fishing Bass-ics
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Please note: This event has transitioned to a self-led fishing experience. Trailside Museum will provide poles and bait for participants 15 and under. All youth […]
Free -
Thursdays in Nature: Geology – Can you dig it?
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature with University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists through fun inquiry-based activities for both adults and kids. Drop in.
Free -
Nature Book Club: “I Contain Multitudes” by Ed Yong
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Discuss the featured book and ponder the hidden depths of familiar animals and ordinary things. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled All About Birds
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Discover the birds of Cook County through bird walks, info on birding and other bird-related activities. Binoculars available for loan.
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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 -
Kayak the Salt Creek Water Trail
Bemis Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60523 (near Oak Brook)Kayak 9 miles from Bemis Woods to Plank Road Meadow. Equipment and shuttle provided. Experience required.
Free • Registration Closed -
“Bone” Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us at feeding time as we give our outdoor Ambassador Animals their dinner.
Free -
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Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.
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 -
Sacred Wanderings in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join Unity Temple of Oak Park as we practice connecting with nature. People with physical challenges are easily accommodated. For info, email [email protected].
Free -
Ambassador Animal Species Spotlight
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Meet one of our reptiles or amphibians and learn about their wild counterparts. Drop-in.
Free -
Forest Therapy Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful meditation and guided forest therapy walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteers.
Free • Registration Required -
Adaptive Cycling – Fitting, Skills and Riding
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Participants experience personalized bike fittings, hands-on skill development, and a guided ride to build confidence, independence, and enjoyment on adaptive cycles. Grove 6.
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 -
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Kayak the Des Plaines
Schuth’s Grove • Cook County, IL 60546 (near Riverside)Kayak 3 miles, from Schuth’s Grove to Plank Road Meadow. Equipment, shuttle provided. Beginners welcome.
Free • Registration Closed -
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 -
Sonidos Sagrados: Una Exhibición de Instrumentos Aztecas
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Explora los sagrados instrumentos aztecas en exhibición del 15 al 27 de septiembre, descubriendo los sonidos, la historia y el significado cultural de la herencia […]
Free -
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Children’s Storytime
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Listen to a nature-themed children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity. (Story provided orally & in ASL.)
Free -
Nature Thursdays ‘What is climate change?’ Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages. Led by University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists.
Free -
“Bone” Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.
Free -
Restoration Workday
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Restore habitat and control invasive species. Equipment provided. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.
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 -
Native American Fall Equinox
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305A green corn celebration focused on traditional foods and the harvest season. Presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago.
Free -
Harvest Moon Evening Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate the September harvest moon with a peaceful walk through the woods as twilight descends. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
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 -
Ritmos Sagrados: Danza y Herencia Azteca
FeaturedTrailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Un evento cultural sobre la danza tradicional azteca, destacando instrumentos sagrados, ritmos ancestrales, expresión espiritual y la rica herencia indígena mexicana. English Translation Sacred Rhythms: […]
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All About Canines
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Learn about the diverse family of canines—from wolves to domestic dogs—and their impact through interactive exhibits and activities.
Free -
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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 -
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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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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 -
Forest Therapy Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful meditation and guided forest therapy walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteers.
Free • Registration Required
