Youth
Events
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Canceled Open Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion • Chicago, IL 60620Children can connect to nature and enjoy open nature play.
Free -
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. Drop in.
Free -
Children’s Storytime
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305As part of America 250, listen to a children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity. An ASL interpreter will be present.
Free -
Nature Play-Date
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Join other families in our nature play area for fun and socializing.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Pollinators
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. Drop in.
Free -
Bird Painting Step-By-Step: Indigo Bunting
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Sketch and paint a bird on a 9x12 canvas. Cost: $5/person. All skill levels welcomed. Ages 13 & up.
$5 • Registration Required -
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Help us restore native habitats - Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Tools, gloves & snack provided. Closed toed shoes & long pants […]
Free • Registration Required -
Kids’ Fest
FeaturedWampum Lake • Cook County, IL 60476 (near Thornton)Get ready to embrace the beauty of summer, the great outdoors and the wonders of nature at Kids' Fest 2026! This exciting festival is the […]
Free • Registration Required -
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.
Free -
Wee Wonders: Pollinators
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Bug-a-Palooza
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about the amazing diversity of insects as we catch and release them.
Free -
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Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Due to heat and air quality advisories, this event has been moved indoors. Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. […]
Free -
Canceled Thursdays in Nature: Pond Dip Discovery!
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Connect to nature with University of Illinois-Extension Master Naturalists through fun inquiry-based activities for both adults and kids. Drop in.
Free -
Insect Fest
FeaturedCummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for this all-things-insect event! Go on a bug hunt, experience an insect petting zoo and more!
Free -
Teen GPS Mystery Adventure
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305A murder most “fowl”! Solve the case and discover who did in the bird! Ages 10 & up w/ adult.
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 -
Nature Discovery Camp
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us from 9 am to noon each day for an adventure-packed day camp where kids explore the outdoors through hiking, fishing, field experiments and […]
$50 • Registration Required -
Stories in the Forest
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join the River Forest Public Library for storytelling! Ages 0-5 w/ adult. Drop in.
Free -
National Moth Week: Evening Mothing!
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about this elusive night-time pollinator and visit our “moth traps.” Ages 8 & up w/ adult.
Free • Registration Required -
Fishing for Community / Pescando Conexiones (Drop-In)
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us for a morning of fishing on Trailside’s pond. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn fishing basics from our experts, build connections with others and enjoy […]
Free -
Community Fishing Clinic
Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525Presented with Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Fishing Program, join us for an evening of wildlife watching and fishing fun. Participants will […]
Free -
Wild About Play
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Unleash your wild side! Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals. Groups welcome. Drop in.
Free
