Teen Exploration Day: Volunteer Stewardship
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Earn your service hours while helping the environment. Ages 13–17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Earn your service hours while helping the environment. Ages 13–17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visit our pioneer cabins as we celebrate winter holiday traditions. Play with handmade toys, make a craft, and see what’s […]
Families, drop in and challenge yourself by climbing to the top of Swallow Cliff stairs. Then, try the story trail, […]
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of winter with a large bonfire, artmaking, nature walks and more.
School is out! Join us for fun and adventure during winter break. Snowshoeing hikes, tracking, shelter building and other winter […]
A self-guided candlelit walk through our woods will delight visitors as we celebrate the shortest day of the year.
Seven days of music and nature-based activities following the seven principles: Day 1: Dec 26 - Umoja (Unity) Day 2: […]
Get creative and learn some new skills. Projects will include woodburning, painting and fiber arts. Ages 9-13 & families.
Bring the whole family and enjoy winter in the Preserves with snowshoeing, nature hikes, art, campfires and more!
Explore activities while learning the significance of the winter season in Native American culture. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center.
Teens and families, give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean-up in celebration of Martin Luther King, […]
Participate in restoration, celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and warm up with hot beverages. Ages 10 & […]
Stop by the nature center to participate in a self-led litter pick-up. Garbage bags and disposable gloves available.
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service. Join us for an afternoon of litter clean-up, crafts […]
Learn what it takes to keep our forest healthy and participate in a day of service. S’mores provided.
Put on some gloves and join us in removing invasive species. Tools, eye protection provided. Children 8 & up w/adult. […]
Drop in to learn safe practices for fire building and containment, make fire-inspired art, build your own fire and roast […]
Couples and friends are invited to enjoy the nature center grounds at their leisure. Walk our candlelit trails, relax around […]
In partnership with the Portage Creek Boy Scouts, join us for an afternoon of winter activities including hikes, broom hockey, […]
Embark on a self-guided exploration of the Underground Railroad route that traversed the Calumet Region during the mid-1800s. On Sunday, […]
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a special day of activities including crafts, games, tree tapping, and maple syrup history […]
Celebrate the vernal equinox and the arrival of spring by painting a bird house, learning about seasonal changes, building and […]
Enjoy time out of school with activities including archery, nature play, hikes, art, and other fun. Drop-in.
Try a variety of outdoor recreation activities while spending school break in nature. Drop-in.
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out.
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies available to check-out. Grove […]
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Litter pick-up supplies available to […]
Celebrate Earth Day with themed games, self-guided litter cleanup and more.
Art activities, scavenger hunts, food chain demonstrations, and free plant giveaways will delight visitors.
You can have your cake and eat it too! Celebrate planet Earth, play party games and better the environment.
Celebrate Earth Day by doing your part in helping clean up litter in the Preserves. Supplies provided for check out. […]
Play, plant, paint and pretend with family-fun activities.
In partnership with the American Indian Health Services Center, St. Kateri Center, Trickster Cultural Center, American Indian Center-Chicago, and the […]
Enjoy interactive programs, kids’ tree climb, guided wildflower walks, bird banding, kid’s nature crafts, gardening info and much more!
Sounds Natural invites families to enjoy art activities, food, music and workshops with the option to stay overnight in your […]
Visitors of all abilities are invited to celebrate nature through accessible activities. Drop in.
You are invited to this annual fishing extravaganza. Give-a-ways to participants, prizes for category winners, and refreshments for all. Event […]
Celebrate everything the Forest Preserves has to offer through animal encounters, arts & crafts, recreation, and much more at this […]
Celebrate all things Forest Preserves at Daley Plaza. We’ll be there with partners and information about all the exciting things […]
Join us for archery, canoeing, and more.
Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Celebrate freedom, family and country with various activities, presentations, performances and exhibits highlighting Black history, arts and culture.
Celebrate the biggest party in 17 years! Make some noise with Brood XIII as you enjoy scheduled walks, presentations, exhibits, […]
Experience the African American Heritage Water Trail.
Cycling celebration with Major Taylor Trail Keepers and Black Girls Bike. 16 miles roundtrip. Bring your own bike and helmet.
Join others around the globe for a morning of splashing, squishing, mud creations, and more! Dress to get messy. All ages. […]
Celebrate love and inclusion with nature play, games, art and more! In partnership with Out in Nature, Feminist Bird Club, […]
Embrace the great outdoors and the wonders of nature. Featuring various community partners offering fishing, canoeing, archery and more.
Through indoor instruction and intensive field learning, you will develop familiarity with Silurian and glacial geology, fossils of northeastern Illinois, […]
Embrace adventure through rock climbing, cycling and kayaking opportunities specially tailored for people of all ages with a primary physical disability. […]
Join us for this all-things-insect event! Go on a bug hunt, experience an insect petting zoo, explore bugs through yoga […]
Join us for a farmers' market with limited free produce and workshops about growing food in your community! All Ages.
Calling all dog lovers! Dog-themed offerings include adoption opportunities, canoe paddles, sniff walks, paw print Olympic medals, pictures, creative reuse […]
Create your own adventure with family and friends through music, nature play, games, artmaking, walks and more.
Sounds Natural invites families to enjoy art activities, food, music and workshops with the option to stay overnight in your […]
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.
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)Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreSign up for the Forest Way and receive the latest Forest Preserves news, events and volunteer opportunities each month. View past newsletters.
Sign UpThe 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.