Youth
Events
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Fall Festival
FeaturedRiver Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Celebrate the season with a special autumn fun day. Beekeeping demonstrations, animal encounters, pumpkin painting, honey sales, activities and more! Admission is free; there may […]
Free -
Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Yoga and Storytime
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
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 -
Forest Tales & Mysteries
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Listen to thrilling horror tales around the bonfire with La Grange Park Library and Gail’s soothing sound therapy. Ages 13 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Cicada Pinning Class
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Learn the process and importance of entomology: what it is, why it's important, and how it's done. This class will teach students the process of […]
$5 • 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 -
Spooky Stories & S ’mores
FeaturedThatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more. Costumes encouraged! Presented with the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library.
Free -
River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062River Trail’s annual scary storytelling around the campfire. Cost: $5/person. Ages 8 & up.
$5 • Registration Required -
Restoration Sunday
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Help us improve our wildlife habitat by cutting and removing invasive species. Ages 8 & up. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
The Un-Haunted Forest
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Self-guided search for hidden pumpkins on the trail. Costumes encouraged.
Free -
Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition. Learn new skills like knot tying or low […]
Free – $25 • Registration Required -
Trunk or Treat
FeaturedEggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event, complete with candy!
Free -
The Un-Haunted Forest
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Children under 10 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.
Free • Registration Required -
Yoga and Storytime
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join the Bridgeview Library for a short nature story followed by kid's yoga activities. Ages 3-6 w/adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Nature’s Art Box
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Explore the wild side of creativity! Kids ages 3–6 with an adult can enjoy hands-on nature-inspired art and activities. Supplies provided.
Free • Registration Required -
Night at the Museum
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and the strange wonders lurking in the night woods. […]
Free • Registration Required -
Owl-oween Bash
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun. Costumes encouraged.
Free • Registration Required -
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!
Free -
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The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. While supplies last. Costumes encouraged!
Free -
Nature Journaling
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Express yourself and the world around you! Learn how to create a nature journal with an art instructor.
Free • Registration Required -
Waterfowl Watch
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Let’s walk out to our wetlands to see migrating waterfowl. Ages 13 & up.
Free
