I am a Scientist: Herpetology
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity: explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages 4-5 w/adult.
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Games & Nature Play
International Mud Day Celebration
Bunker Hill • Niles, IL 60714Join others around the globe for a morning of splashing, squishing, making mud pies and more! Dress to get messy. […]
Outdoor Block Party: Self-Love Series
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Enjoy music, nature play, games, walks, artmaking projects and more. Light of Loving Kindness will host yoga from 11:30 am […]
Walk & Talk
Wolf Road Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Free
Reptile Rendezvous
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Meet our ambassador reptiles. Learn about their unique adaptations and features.
Free
Waterfowl Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a short hike to two ponds to see up close views of some of the visiting waterfowl.
Free
Starry Night Hike
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a guided walk and night sky observations as we admire the stars and learn about astronomy.
Free
I am a Scientist: Ecology
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Ignite your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity: explore, experiment, and make discoveries in the natural world. Ages 4-5 w/adult.
Fishing Derby
Green Lake Family Aquatic Center • Calumet City, IL 60409Join us for an exciting fishing derby open to all! Compete in categories such as longest, shortest, greatest variety of […]
Free
Nature Discovery Day
Swallow Cliff Woods-North • Cook County, IL 60464 (near Palos Park)Nature games, guided hikes, art making, kite flying and more. In partnership with the Village of Palos Park. Drop in.
Walk & Talk
Maple Lake-East – Mountain Bike Staging Area • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who want to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural […]
Free
Nature Discovery Day
Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305Drop in for a fun afternoon of nature discovery including nature games, art making, kite flying and more.
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 Recreation
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Games & Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Snow Sports
- Storytelling
- Sustainability
- Restoration
- 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.