Events

Dawn Owl Prowl

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Listen for owls as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count with John Elliott from the Chicago Bird Alliance. Ages […]

Walk & Talk: Know your Preserves!

Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)

Get to know the Forest Preserves! Learn about the Forest Preserves while taking a slow hike.

Winter Break-Out Adventure

Thatcher Woods • River Forest, IL 60305

School is out! Join us for fun and adventure during winter break. Snowshoeing hikes, tracking, shelter building and other winter […]

Winter Solstice Potluck

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a potluck and s’mores by the campfire.

Winter Solstice Night of Lights Walk

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

A self-guided candlelit walk through our woods will delight visitors as we celebrate the shortest day of the year.

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

Celebrate the longest night of the year with an evening lantern walk. All ages.

Winter Feeder Big Sit

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

Join us for an up-close look at the brave birds staying local during winter at our feeders. Hot chocolate provided.

Art in Nature

Dan Ryan Woods-South • Chicago, IL 60620

In this instructor-led course, create a painting inspired by nature. All materials provided. Ages 15 and up.

Kwanzaa Celebration

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620

Seven days of music and nature-based activities following the seven principles:   Day 1: Dec 26 - Umoja (Unity)  Day 2: […]

Free

Winter Break Craft Camp

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

Get creative and learn some new skills. Projects will include woodburning, painting and fiber arts. Ages 9-13 & families.

Walk & Talk

Black Partridge Woods • Cook County, IL 60439 (near Lemont)

For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]

Teen Exploration Day: Snowshoeing and Fire Building

Camp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Enjoy the Preserves on snowshoes then learn different methods for fire building outdoors and make s’mores! Snowshoes provided; 4” of […]

Winter Secrets Hike

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Bring the family on a walk to see what is happening above, within, and beneath the snow.

Fitness Hike

Country Lane Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)

Fitness Hikes are for those looking to get some exercise outdoors. Fitness hikes will be faster-paced with little to no […]

Be a Better Birder: Birding Ethics

Zoom Presentation

Learn about ABA birding ethics and how to ensure other people—and most importantly birds—are minimally impacted during your trip.

Aromatherapy

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Various scents can relax and soothe us. Learn about natural aromas and their healing effects. Ages 21 & up.

Winter Play Day

Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010

Drop by for outdoor and indoor family fun. Visit the self-directed activity stations and discover seasonal nature through play and […]

Winter Artist Showcase

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

This winter season, we will be hosting 'Gathering Nature: Glass Mosaics and Assemblages,' a mother/daughter art show by artists Judy […]

New Year’s Resolution Walk

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided walk on our trails at Trailside. Ages 18 […]

Winter Break Camp

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480

Children will enjoy three fun filled days with outdoor activities, art making and s’mores at the fire. Ages 9-12.

$35

Resolution Walk

Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473

Take steps towards your health goals during this light, 1-mile nature walk.

Walk & Talk

Chicago Portage National Historic Site • Lyons, IL 60402

For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]

Winter Exploration Day

Dan Ryan Woods-South • Chicago, IL 60620

Bring the whole family and enjoy winter in the Preserves with snowshoeing, nature hikes, art, campfires and more!

Winter Camp

Rolling Knolls • Elgin, IL 60120

Explore activities while learning the significance of the winter season in Native American culture. Presented by Trickster Cultural Center.

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire

Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305

Enjoy a winter afternoon on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Afterward, enjoy refreshments around the campfire.

Beginner Cross-Country Ski Lessons

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

Learn to ski with a certified Professional Ski Instructor of America. Ages 12 & up. Weather dependent.

$20

Feeder Watch

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439

What birds are visiting the feeding station? Enjoy watching the feeders on a paved surface. Binoculars available for loan. Weather […]

Walk & Talk

Sundown Meadow • Countryside, IL 60525

For curious minds who want to know more about the Forest Preserves, these hikes will be led at a slower […]

Snowshoe Walk

Camp Sullivan • Oak Forest, IL 60452

Enjoy the Preserves of snowshoes. Snowshoes provided; 4” of snow required. If no snow is present, we will enjoy a […]