Fri, Oct 16 · 6pm–8pm
Night of Nature Play
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Scavenger hunt, games and crafts under the glowing night (black) lights.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Free things to do with kids in Chicago
310 events listed as free by their source over the next 4 weekends. Some may still need venue admission or registration; we note those when the source says so.
Weekend of Oct 16–18
Big outings
Sat, Oct 17
Spooky Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Free all-ages Halloween event with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, kid-friendly entertainment and free carousel rides.
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 10am–2pm
BooPalooza and BarkPalooza at Wicker Park
Wicker Park — Chicago (Wicker Park) · Cook Co. · Chicago
Halloween extravaganza with free pumpkins, live entertainment, costume parades and a haunted maze, plus a dog costume parade.
Details at Chicago Park District ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 10am–3pm
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Celebrate the season with a special autumn fun day.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Museums, gardens & more
Sat, Oct 17 · 11am
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 1:30pm
Oak-tober Fall Colors Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Enjoy seasonal color changes and learn about our native oaks.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 2pm
Meet the Birds
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Stop by to see our birds at mealtime.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 1pm
Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Library storytimes & programs (79, free)
From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Friday, Oct 16
Saturday, Oct 17
Sunday, Oct 18
Weekend of Oct 23–25
Big outings
Sun, Oct 25 · 11am–3pm
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt
Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Self-guided search for hidden pumpkins on the trail.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Museums, gardens & more
Sat, Oct 24 · 2pm–5pm
Spooky Stories & S ’mores
Thatcher Woods Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 24 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 10:30am
The Un-Haunted Forest
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 12pm–2pm
Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 12pm–4pm
Trunk or Treat
Eggers Grove — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 1:30pm
Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 1:30pm
The Un-Haunted Forest
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 25 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Library storytimes & programs (78, free)
From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Friday, Oct 23
Saturday, Oct 24
Sunday, Oct 25
Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1
Big outings
Sat, Oct 31 · 12pm–4pm
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 1 · 12pm–4pm
The Great Sand Ridge (Tiny) Pumpkin Hunt
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Museums, gardens & more
Fri, Oct 30 · 6pm–9pm
Owl-oween Bash
Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories and festive fun.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 31 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 1 · 1pm
Nature Journaling
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Express yourself and the world around you!
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 1 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Library storytimes & programs (63, free)
From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Friday, Oct 30
Saturday, Oct 31
Sunday, Nov 1
Weekend of Nov 6–8
Museums, gardens & more
Fri, Nov 6 · 6pm–8pm
Stars, Stories & S’mores
LaBagh Woods — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Listen to stories, take a night hike, make s’mores and more.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Nov 7 · 8am
Fishing Derby
Horsetail Lake — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join the Village of Palos Park and the Forest Preserves for a fun family day of fishing.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Nov 7 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 8 · 11am
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 8 · 12:30pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 8 · 2pm
GPS Scavenger Hunt
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about and participate in a technology inspired scavenger hunt.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Nov 8 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Library storytimes & programs (58, free)
From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Friday, Nov 6
Saturday, Nov 7
Sunday, Nov 8
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