Events in Central Cook County
Central Cook County
- Events
- Central Cook County
Archery & Games
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Adults and families, enjoy trying archery and playing your favorite backyard games. Instruction, equipment and games provided.
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Presented with River Forest Public Library. We’ll read stories and do a simple nature activity. Weather dependent. Ages 0 to […]
Canceled Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Summer Prairie Blooms Walk
Silver Creek Family Picnic Area • Melrose Park, IL 60160Ages 18 and up.
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Story Trail
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Walk a short, looped trail and experience a story unfolding with every step. Onsite activities will be provided. Grove 7. […]
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Presented with River Forest Public Library. We’ll read stories and do a simple nature activity. Weather dependent. Ages 0 to […]
Craftpalooza
National Grove-South • North Riverside, IL 60546Kids, get creative! Help decorate a large canvas with stamps, paint and markers. Presented in partnership with the North Riverside […]
A Closer Look: Magnifier and Microscope Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Explore the tiny secrets of the woods as we examine plants and small animals both on our walk and in […]
Canceled Walk & Talk Hike
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
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 […]
Thursdays in the Field
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. Drop in.
Thursdays in the Field
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate Indigenous Plant Knowledge: 3 Sisters Garden and More Connect to nature through fun inquiry-based activities. Different theme/activities each month. […]
Canceled Nature Book Club: Eating Animals by J.S. Foer
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a lively discussion at Trailside Museum of this book, about consuming meat vs. vegetarianism in the modern […]
Nature Discovery Day
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in for a fun afternoon of nature discovery. We’ll have nature games, disc golf, art making, kite flying and […]
Disc Golf Community Day
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Disc Golf Chicago and the Forest Preserves of Cook County have partnered to set up a temporary course at Miller […]
Canceled Wellness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Mindful and meditative guided nature walk. Ages 18 & up.
Senior Fitness Walk
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Bird Migration and More Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Ages 18 and up.
Pedal the Preserves: Salt Creek Greenway
Twenty-Sixth Street Woods-West • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)In partnership with Ride Illinois, join us for a family-friendly event promoting riding bikes. Safety demonstration, techniques, tips, and a […]
Pond Paddle
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy an afternoon out paddling. Instruction, equipment and kayaks provided.
Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, […]
Migrating Monarchs Celebration
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the migration route to Mexico and how you can help monarchs and other pollinators! See how monarchs are […]
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Nature Play Day
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Bring your little one for open nature play time!
Faire at the Square
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy our "creative-reuse carnival" with games made from repurposed materials! Win prizes, learn about plants and animals, & more. Ice […]
Silver Creek Prairie Walk
Silver Creek Family Picnic Area • Melrose Park, IL 60160Learn about restoration efforts, goals, and ways you can get involved. Ages 12 & up.
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor animal ambassadors.
Senior Fitness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join other seniors for a moderately paced, one mile fitness walks in beautiful Thatcher Woods. Led by senior Roberta Jannsen, […]
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.