Bone Appetit po polsku
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Chcesz się dowiedzieć co jedzą zwierzęta w Trailside i jak się nimi opiekujemy? Zapraszamy na program!
Events in Central Cook County
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Central Cook County
- Events
- Central Cook County
Nature Treasure Hunt
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Kids and families are invited to search for various natural items on a short-looped trail. Find all the treasure and […]
Evening Film: “The Magic Stump”
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Join us at Thatcher Pavilion for a screening of “The Magic Stump” – the story of an Illinois tree stump […]
DIY Holiday Bird Feeder Wreath
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Make a festive birdseed wreath to help our feathered friends this winter! Materials provided. Ages 13 & up.
Fitness Hike
Brezina Woods • Cook County, IL 60526 (near La Grange Park)Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster-paced with little to no […]
Story Trail: “The Snowy Day” Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail and read the posted story, then pick up a craft and activity bag.
Winter Pop-Up Fun
Evans Field • River Grove, IL 60171Borrow a pair of our snowshoes, help with litter pickup, warm up by a fire and play in the snow!
Animal Homes Hike
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Bring the family on a guided hike to discover where our local animals will spend the winter.
Dawn Owl Prowl
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Listen for owls as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count with John Elliott from the Chicago Bird Alliance. Ages […]
Winter Break-Out Adventure
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305School is out! Join us for fun and adventure during winter break. Snowshoeing hikes, tracking, shelter building and other winter […]
Winter Secrets Hike
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Bring the family on a walk to see what is happening above, within, and beneath the snow.
Winter Artist Showcase
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305This winter season, we will be hosting 'Gathering Nature: Glass Mosaics and Assemblages,' a mother/daughter art show by artists Judy […]
New Year’s Resolution Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided walk on our trails at Trailside. Ages 18 […]
Walk & Talk
Chicago Portage National Historic Site • Lyons, IL 60402For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a winter afternoon on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Afterward, enjoy refreshments around the campfire.
Walk & Talk
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]
Animal Olympics Trail
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Kids and families can walk a short, looped trail in a fun test of human versus animal abilities! Prize awarded […]
Winter Artist Showcase Exhibit Opening
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305View the glass mosaic art and chat with local mosaic artist Judy Steed at the official opening of her show […]
Teen Exploration Day: Day of Service
Miller Meadow-North • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Teens and families, give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean-up in celebration of Martin Luther King, […]
Bone Appetit en español
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Únase a nosotros durante la hora de comer para aprender sobre los animales embajadores de Trailside.
Creative Sustainability Workshop
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Give items a second life by turning them into an ornament, decoration or birdfeeder. Learn how to extend the life […]
Bird Painting Workshop Step-by-Step: Dark-eyed Junco
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint a 9x12 canvas of a dark-eyed junco using acrylic paints. Ages 13 & up
$5
Bird and Bagel Bird Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305We’ll observe bird feeder action while noshing on bagels and coffee inside the Museum, then head outdoors for a guided […]
Story Trail: “Over and Under the Snow” Drop-In
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Walk a short trail and read the posted story, then pick up a craft and activity bag.
All About Fire
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in to learn safe practices for fire building and containment, make fire-inspired art, build your own fire and roast […]
Walk with a Steward
Schiller Woods-West • Schiller Park, IL 60634Learn about ecological gems and the restoration process with volunteer site steward, Cathy Bloom. Ages 18 & up. Grove 6.
Accessibility Trail Outing
Miller Meadow-South • Cook County, IL 60130 (near Forest Park)Walk with us on a short, 1.7-mile looped and paved trail with resting points throughout. Walk designed for people using […]
Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Get ready to jam! Make a simple musical instrument from repurposed invasive plants with us or bring your own instrument.
Poetry Trail: Black History Month
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)In honor of Black History Month, walk a short, looped trail and read poetry for children written by African American […]
Nature Book Club: “Life Everlasting – The Animal Way of Death” by B. Heinrich
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join other adults for a lively discussion of this fascinating bestselling book. This evening program will be held at our […]
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
Sign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
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.