You know that giant pile of leaves your kids can’t resist jumping in? There’s so much family fun to jump into Outside Chicago this fall.
We’ve pulled together a collection of wild and wonderful outdoor activities in suburban Cook County perfect for families. Hunt for pumpkins in the woods. Paddle down a river. Go on a (sort of) spooky night hike.
All of these ideas emphasize getting out in nature so you can disconnect with your tech and reconnect with each other. Go ahead… Take a breath of fresh air. Feel the cool breeze. And yes, jump in that pile of leaves! Let’s throw on our flannel shirts and get out there.
Lake Katherine Nature Center
At this family favorite in Palos Heights, you can explore the changing landscape from scenic trails, look for migrating birds over the lake, and delight in their waterfall. Lake Katherine Nature Center also features a children’s forest – complete with a spider maze. Canoe and kayak rentals are available through October 14; contact them for details.
At Fall in the Forest (Oct 17), you can take a hayride out to the children’s forest for pumpkin painting and a scavenger hunt. There’s also a Halloween Night Hike on Oct 30 with trick-or-treating and nature-themed activities.
Historic Wagner Farm
Fall is always better when you’re on a farm. (And yes, it’s a place where flannel shirts are at home all year long!) At Glenview’s Historic Wagner Farm, you won’t want to miss the wagon rides and pumpkin patch offered in autumn. But you can also visit with the cows, horses and chickens as you experience what rural life was like in the early 20th century. Little ones can dig in a sandbox and swing on a tire in the Ag Adventure area. Everyone can enjoy collecting eggs and climbing the silo in the Heritage Center.
Spring Valley Nature Center
With wide open fields, forests, marshes and streams, Schaumburg’s Spring Valley Nature Center is a great destination for experiencing the best of fall. Families can adventure three miles of handicapped-accessible trails, explore the nature playground called Bison’s Bluff, and visit an 1880s living history farm. On Oct. 6, there’s an Autumn Harvest Festival with special farm demonstrations, crafts, games, music and food.
Chicago Botanic Garden
If you’re looking for fall foliage and fall blooms, Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has you covered. But it also offers several built-in attractions for the whole family. In fact, October is your last chance (until next spring) to visit the Model Railroad Garden – where 19 model trains travel around miniature replicas of American landmarks – and hop on a Grand Tram tour, which will give you a bird’s eye view of the garden’s 385 acres.
There’s also a Fall Festival Oct. 4-6, complete with a straw bale maze, gourd mountain and toe-tapping music. If your clan is up for something slightly spooky, don’t miss Night of 1,000 Jack-O’-Lanterns (Oct 16-20 and Oct 23-27). It’s your chance to wander a path lined with professionally carved pumpkins, watch live pumpkin-carving demos, and find costumed entertainers.
Stellwagen Farm
Did we say fall is always better on a farm? This historic site in Orland Park has been preserved to capture the essence of a traditional working farm. At Stellwagen Farm, visitors will find a circa 1860 farmhouse, as well as a barn, two milk houses, a silo, corn cribs, a coal house, carriage house and reproduction windmill. In fall, visitors can pick pumpkins, explore corn mazes and enjoy hayrides. It’s also a picturesque spot for scenic walks and enjoying crisp autumn air.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
If your family likes to walk on the wild side, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the place for you. On Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 5-20, you can enjoy special activities and attractions as part of “Boo! at the Zoo.” Look for rides, entertainment, pumpkin decorating, a children’s costume parade, photo ops and special animal chats.
Fun fact: When the Zoo opened in 1934, it was the first-of-its-kind modern “bar-less” zoo in North America, in which animals were cared for in natural settings. Today, this 235-acre zoological park features 3,481 animals belonging to 511 species.
Other Outdoor Special Events
• Family Fun Day: Oct 12, Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland – Nature scavenger hunts, cooperative games and family activities.
• Fall Paddle Festival: Oct 19, Tower Road Boat Launch at Skokie Lagoons – Nature-based activities on and off the water including a canoe trip, fishing, archery, pumpkin painting and music.
• Fall Festival: Oct 20, River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook – Animal encounters, beekeeping demonstrations, pumpkin painting and entertainment.
• Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt: Oct 25, Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center in Olympia Fields – Fun and games along the trail, pumpkin patch, crafts and treats.
*Many attractions or special events listed here are free; others require a fee or tickets. Please see links for details.
