title
PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 10/5/2021 - 11/2/2021
Please bring a facemask to Forest Preserves events and activities. Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website, www.fpdcc.com/events, for updates and changes.
Saturday, 10/6; 10am - 1pm
Explore: Miller Meadow, Miller Meadow, Forest Park
Adults and families come explore with us at Miller Meadow! Grab a self-guided exploration activity or join our staff on one of our guided hikes. We will have a litter pickup if you would like to help in cleaning up the preserve, a fire to warm up by, and a fun nature craft. For more information, call 312.533.5751. Facemasks required.
Friday Saturday & Sunday, 10/8-10; times vary
68th Annual Powwow, Schiller Woods, Chicago
In partnership with the American Indian Center of Chicago, join us to celebrate Native American culture and enjoy traditional Powwow, native food, dancing, vendors, activities and more. Rain or shine. For more information and pricing, visit aicchicago.org. Facemasks required.
Friday, 10/8; 5:30pm - 8pm
Halloween Hoot ‘n Howl, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join us for pumpkin painting, BOO Bingo, flashlight animal safari and so much more. Facemasks required. Costumes optional. Presented in partnership with the River Forest Park District, River Forest Library.
Saturday, 10/9; 9am - 12pm
Bird Banding, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Watch science unfold as we catch birds, then band and release them. This way of studying birds helps us to understand their movements and how to conserve them. Weather dependent. Registration and facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045.
Saturday, 10/9; 10am - 2pm
Family Fun Day! Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Bring the whole family to spend time outside and have fun with games, nature scavenger hunts and more. Facemasks required.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10/9 through 10/24
Boo! at the Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
This not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including tons of themed activities.
Sunday, 10/10; 1:30pm
Fall Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Spectacular fall colors to view while enjoying a casual walk in the woods. Facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/10; 12pm - 3pm
Crabtree’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills
Crabtree is turning 50 and we are celebrating! Come out for games, history, art activities and more. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/10; 6pm
Bilingual Coyote Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Yip, bark, and howl with us as we explore the forest for sounds of coyotes. This is a bilingual English/Spanish program. Registration and facemasks required.
Tuesday, 10/12; 12pm (Facebook Live)
The Lake, The Rocks, and The People: The Geoheritage of Lake Michigan, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
How does Lake Michigan define northeastern Illinois? This lake influences the geology, the people, and the wildlife. How will the lake and the surrounding area be affected by climate change? Registration required. Call 630-257-2045.
Thursday, 10/14; 6:30pm
Owl Prowl, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-305-2168.
Sunday, 10/16; 1pm
Fall Colors, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Enjoy a leisurely walk with a naturalist, while learning about why deciduous trees drop their leaves and what causes leaves to change color. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-839-6897.
Saturday, 10/16; 6:30pm
Fireside Stories for Big Kids (and Adults), Trailside Museum, River Forest
Have a snack and relax by a campfire outdoors at Trailside Museum while listening to stories told by John Elliott of Chicago Audubon. Ages 10 and up. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-366-6530.
Saturday, 10/16; 9am
Wellness in the Woods: Cycle the Burnham Greenway, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland Discover the Burnham Greenway on bike as we explore the flora and fauna along it. Bring your own bikes. Limited supply of bikes available for loan, must specify when registering. Route will cover roughly 7 miles. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Saturday, 10/16; 1pm
The Secrets of Groundwater, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Even though groundwater supplies about half of the water we use, groundwater is hard to observe and understand. Learn the secrets of groundwater, and how geologists study this precious resource with a short hike. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/17; 10am - 3pm
Mini Fall Festival, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the season with a special day of autumn fun. Storytelling, beekeeping demonstrations, animal encounters, pumpkin painting, honey sales, activities and more! Admission is free; there may be small fees for some activities and food. Limited parking available. Facemasks required
Sunday, 10/17; 1pm
Autumn Leaf Magic, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join a fall color walk to enjoy the beauty of the changing autumn leaves. Discover why leaves don different pigments in the fall and which tree’s leaves become the most vivid! Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/17; 1pm
Sagawau Art: Autumn Landscape drawing, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Have you ever wanted to try landscape drawing? Bring your supplies or use ours and learn how to sketch an autumn landscape. Ages 13 and up. Registration and facemasks required. Call 630-257-2045.
Thursday, 10/21; 5:30pm - 7pm
Camping 101, Camp Bullfrog Lake, Willow Springs
Free hands-on workshop designed to teach anyone basic camping skills. Topics include tent setup, campfire cooking, camping fun, dressing for camping, camping etiquette and more. Have a tent from home you need to practice setting up? Bring it with and we will walk you through it. Registration and facemasks required.
Friday, 10/22; 5:30pm - 8pm
Songs and Stories Under the Stars, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join a naturalist for an evening walk while searching for owls. Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-305-2168.
Friday, 10/22; 6:30pm
Spider Night Hike, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Come out at night and walk the trails with us as we look for eight-legged creatures on the trail. We will discuss spider silk, eggs and introduce you to our resident arachnid. Registration and facemasks required.
Saturday, 10/23; 3pm - 5pm
Pumpkin Palooza, Caldwell Woods, Chicago
Family-friendly activities including pumpkin painting, gourd ring toss, leaf rubbings, a fall-themed obstacle course, and more! Limited supplies. Facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/24; 1pm
Arachnophobia, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Are spiders scary or cool? Learn about their amazing spidey senses and some of our local species. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/24; 1:30pm
Creatures of the Night, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Experience some creepy, spooky and nocturnal animals of the Forest Preserves. Facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/24; 10am - 2pm
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Find all the hidden pumpkins on our Farm Pond Trail during this fun scavenger hunt. Costumes encouraged but not required. Registration and facemasks required.
Wednesday, 10/27; 4pm
Family Pond Paddle, Thatcher Glen Pond, River Forest
Families enjoy an evening out paddling on Thatcher Glen Pond located at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. Instruction, sanitized equipment, and kayaks provided. To register, please call 312.533.5751.
Thursday, 10/28; 4pm - 7pm
Stars, Stories, and S’ mores, Thatcher Glen Woods, River Forest
Join a family-friendly evening with a cozy fire, s ’mores, a “spooky” story trail, star gazing, pumpkin painting and more. Costumes encouraged! Facemasks required.
Saturday, 10/30; 10am - 2pm
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover all the hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt throughout our trails. Costumes encouraged but not required. Take home a tiny pumpkin for finding them all (one pumpkin per child while supplies last). Registration and facemasks required. Call 708-868-0606.
Sunday, 10/31; 9am - 4pm
Giant’s Hollow-ween Hunt, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Take a self-guided hike on our Giant’s Hollow trail to hunt for hidden Halloween clues to earn a treat. Registration and facemasks required.
Sunday, 10/31; 10:30am or 1:30pm
The Un-haunted Forest, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Come in costume for a magical hike through the forest. $3 per child. Registration and facemasks required Registration required by 10/28. Call 847-824-8360 to reserve your spot.
Sunday, 10/31; 12 - 5 pm
Trunk or Treat, Eggers Grove, Chicago
In partnership with the East Side Chamber, a Halloween extravaganza for and by the community. Come in costume including your facemask for a fun time for everyone! The Forest Preserve has won best “trunk” decorations for several years. Facemask required.
end