Northwest Cook County
Events
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Busse Lake Outdoors Day & Fishing Derby
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Free fishing derby, nature play, animal encounters and more! Enjoy local food and win prizes. Join Commissioner Kevin Morrison for Outdoors Day and the annual […]
Free • Registration Required -
Furry But Not Friendly
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an indoor presentation on some of the mustelids (weasels) within Cook County. Ages 12 & up.
Free -
Summer Artisan Series: Firefly Paint & Hike
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select evenings. New topics each month.
Free • Registration Required -
Camping 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Join us for a workshop to learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
Free -
Nature’s Fireworks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010As part of America 250, catch and learn about the glowing insects of twilight on a casual guided stroll.
Free • Registration Required -
International Mud Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Play and create with mud! Please dress for a muddy experience.
Free -
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Disability Pride Month Trail Exhibit
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn about environmentalists with disabilities and celebrate the important work being done around the world.
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Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
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Nature Play-Date
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join other families in our nature play area for fun and socializing.
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Meet Our Ambassador Animals
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Meet the animals that call Crabtree home.
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Pond Dip
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover what tiny critters are living in the pond in this hands-on science program. Ages 5 & up.
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Animal Enrichment Studio
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an ADA-accessible event where you’ll create new items for our ambassador animals and then watch how enrichment is used as an important […]
Free • Registration Required -
Morning Prairie Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a hike around Phantom Prairie. Ages 12 & up.
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What is Restoration?
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Due to heat and air quality advisories, this event has been moved indoors. Join us for an indoor presentation on what restoration is and why […]
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Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help us restore prairie habitat by removing invasive species. Equipment provided. Ages 8 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Summer Nature Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Learn the significance of summer in Native American culture while participating in various activities. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center.
Free • Registration Required -
Junior Naturalist Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Earn a Junior Naturalist badge by taking a short walk, then doing an indoor activity book. Ages 6-12 w/ caregiver.
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Summer Artisan Series: Papermaking
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select evenings. New topics each month.
Free • Registration Required -
Camping 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Join us for a workshop to learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
Free -
Sunset Photography Meetup
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join nature photographers for a guided walk to explore the grounds and capture nature in the fading light of dusk.
Free • Registration Required -
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Sulky Bird Count
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join 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 -
Nature Wellness Walk
Deer Grove-East • Cook County, IL 60074 (near Palatine)Relaxing mindfulness and meditative practice during this leisure walk. Led by University of Illinois-Extension. Ages 18 & up. Grove 1.
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Meet Our Ambassador Animals
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Meet the animals that call Crabtree home.
Free -
Let’s Go Find Some Bugs
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Play bug bingo as we hunt for the best bugs of the summer.
Free -
Sulky Bird Count
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join 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 -
Camping 101: Overnight!
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Part workshop, part campout! Learn camping skills then spend the night. Cost: $50/group of 6. Event starts at 5:30 pm.
$50 • Registration Required -
Watercolor Workshop with Berry-based Paints
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Navraaz Basati of Wandering Paths, LLC on a forest therapy walk, then paint using plant-based inks on seed paper.
Free • Registration Required -
Sulky Bird Count
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join 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 -
Prairie Pages
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join our adult nature book club with the Barrington Area Library! Discuss Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beaves and Why They Matter by Ben […]
Free • Registration Required -
Morning Prairie Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for a hike around Phantom Prairie. Ages 12 & up.
Free -
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Camping 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Join us for a workshop to learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
Free -
Twilight Canoe
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore the wonders of Crabtree Lake at twilight. Presented with Chicago River Canoe and Kayak. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Wildflowers in the Prairie
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Learn about the natural history and wildflowers of Shoe Factory Road Prairie on this 2-mile walk. Bring sun protection and water!
Free • Registration Required -
Twilight Canoe
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore the wonders of Crabtree Lake at twilight. Presented with Chicago River Canoe and Kayak. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help us restore prairie habitat by removing invasive species. Equipment provided. Ages 8 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Junior Naturalist Walk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Earn a Junior Naturalist badge by taking a short walk, then doing an indoor activity book. Ages 6-12 w/ caregiver.
Free -
Sulky Bird Count
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join 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 -
Summer Artisan Series: Floral Arranging
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select evenings. New topics each month.
Free • Registration Required -
Sunset Photography Meetup
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join nature photographers for a guided walk to explore the grounds and capture nature in the fading light of dusk.
Free • Registration Required -
Busse Night Ride
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Ride the trail at sunset, twilight or in the dark! Ticket includes live music, bonfires, refreshments and more.
Free – $44.52 • Registration Required -
Art in Nature Festival
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Bring out your inner artist and create your own masterpiece using different mediums. Experience live art demonstrations and go home with a one-of-a-kind piece. Local […]
Free -
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Garden Day
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Want to get your hands dirty? Help us grow the Trickster Cultural Center gardens! Call 847-301-2090 for more info.
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Chair Yoga
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore gentle postures, breathwork, meditation and deep relaxation with Karen Fotopoulos, a registered yoga teacher from Discover Yoga with Karen. 18 and up.
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National Wildlife Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover and celebrate the wildly wonderful wildlife of Illinois and abroad.
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National Hummingbird Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore the conservation and historical importance of these birds throughout the Americas: Family-friendly activities and crafts: 10 am to 3 pm Walking presentation for ages […]
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Adaptive Cycling – Provider Training
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)A hands-on, skills-based session that equips local providers with the tools, techniques, and confidence to safely deliver inclusive cycling experiences for individuals with physical disabilities. […]
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Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
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Adaptive Cycling – Fitting, Skills and Riding
Busse Lake Boating Center • Cook County, IL 60007 (near Elk Grove Village)Participants experience personalized bike fittings, hands-on skill development, and a guided ride to build confidence, independence, and enjoyment on adaptive cycles. Grove 20.
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Camping 101
Camp Reinberg • Palatine, IL 60074Learn basic skills like how to set up a tent, build a fire, dress for the weather and more!
Free -
Senior Nature Club
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover nature through activities. Ages 55 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Meet Our Ambassador Animals
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Meet the animals that call Crabtree home.
Free -
Hoarders!
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn how local animals are scurrying about and stocking up in preparation for winter.
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Garden Day
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Want to get your hands dirty? Help us grow the Trickster Cultural Center gardens! Call 847-301-2090 for more info.
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Golden Prairie Walks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an afternoon stroll.
Free -
Fall Artisan Series: Flower Press
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select Wednesday evenings. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
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Canceled Solar Day – Drop-in
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Meet our partners from NW Suburban Astronomy as we safely view our nearest star. Scopes will be setup near the parking lot.
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Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help us restore healthy habitats. Ages 8 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. High schoolers may earn service hours.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Equinox Forest Bath
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Welcome fall with a guided forest therapy walk with certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck.
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Moon Festival
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the season under the glow of the full moon with guided forest‑therapy walks, moon‑viewing and sharing of traditional mooncakes during this Asian cultural festival. […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the places that bring us together with a day of outdoor fun for all ages. Enjoy a bilingual prairie walk, family activities, hands-on seed […]
Free -
Golden Prairie Walks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an afternoon stroll.
Free -
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Sunset Photography Meetup
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Crabtree Nature Photographers’ Meetup Group for a guided sunset walk and capture nature in the fading light.
Free • Registration Required -
World Animal Day
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate Filipino American History Month with this year’s theme: See the World Through Their Eyes during this English/Tagalog bilingual program.
Free -
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Hispanic Heritage Month Nature Art Studio
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create art inspired by renowned Hispanic artists. All ages. Drop in.
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Garden Day
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Want to get your hands dirty? Help us grow the Trickster Cultural Center gardens! Call 847-301-2090 for more info.
Free -
Children’s Yoga
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discovering yoga through story, song and various yoga poses that will engage the use of imagination and all the senses. Program provided by Karen Fotopoulos, […]
Free • Registration Required -
Wee Wandering Wednesdays
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Read a story, make a craft and go on an adventure. Ages 2 to 6 with an adult. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served […]
Free -
Chair Yoga
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore gentle postures, breathwork, meditation and deep relaxation with Karen Fotopoulos, a registered yoga teacher from Discover Yoga with Karen. 18 and up.
Free -
Senior Nature Club
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Discover nature through activities. Ages 55 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Trickster DaWaag (Fall) Camp
Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120Two-day camp for all ages featuring cultural teachings, storytelling, games, artmaking and more! Sponsored by Trickster Cultural Center’s Communities for Positive Youth Development. Free registration […]
Free • Registration Required -
Rust at Dusk
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore an old farm trail surrounded by tallgrass prairie and relics of the past. Ages 12 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Fall Tree Walk
Deer Grove-West • Cook County, IL 60010 (near Barrington)Enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify trees in the fall. Grove 5.
Free • Registration Required -
Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help us restore healthy habitats. Ages 8 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. High schoolers may earn service hours.
Free • Registration Required -
Little Sprouts Sound Lab
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Explore nature through sensory activities, outdoor listening and sound‑making. Ages 2-6 w/ adult. Siblings welcome.
Free • Registration Required -
Walk & Talk: History of Poplar Creek
Carl R. Hansen Woods • Cook County, IL 60192 (near Schaumburg)Walk & Talk Hikes are for the curious mind who wants to know more about the Forest Preserves and natural areas. These walks will be […]
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Fall Color Walks
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join us for an afternoon stroll.
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Canceled Fall Artisan Series: Felting
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Get crafty on select Wednesday evenings. Ages 18 & up.
Free -
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Sunset Photography Meetup
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join Crabtree Nature Photographers’ Meetup Group for a guided sunset walk and capture nature in the fading light.
Free • Registration Required -
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Free -
