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Things to do with kids in River Forest

Family-friendly things to do in River Forest in 2026: 21 kid-friendly events plus 1 parks, museums and venues. Next up: Saturday, September 5, 2026. Plan a weekend with FamHop.

1 place 21 events mostly Culture Plan a day with FamHop

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  1. Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural HistoryCulture · Free
  2. Sacred Wanderings in Thatcher WoodsSaturday, September 5, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  3. Ambassador Animal Species SpotlightSaturday, September 5, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  4. Forest Therapy WalkSunday, September 6, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  5. Faire at the Square-Drop-inThursday, September 10, 2026 · Cummings Square
  6. Bird WalkSaturday, September 12, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  7. Trailside Fall JamSunday, September 13, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  8. Sonidos Sagrados: Una Exhibición de Instrumentos AztecasTuesday, September 15, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  9. Senior Fitness WalkWednesday, September 16, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  10. Children’s StorytimeWednesday, September 16, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  11. Nature Thursdays ‘What is climate change?’ Drop-InThursday, September 17, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  12. “Bone” AppetitSaturday, September 19, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  13. Restoration WorkdaySunday, September 20, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  14. Native American Fall EquinoxTuesday, September 22, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  15. Salsa Dance: Party for the PreservesSaturday, September 26, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  16. Ritmos Sagrados: Danza y Herencia AztecaSunday, September 27, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  17. Halloween Hoot and HowlFriday, October 2, 2026 · Keystone Park
  18. Animal Enrichment StudioSaturday, October 3, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  19. Bird WalkSunday, October 4, 2026 · Trailside Museum of Natural History
  20. Forest Therapy WalkSunday, October 4, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  21. Senior Fitness WalkWednesday, October 7, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion
  22. Children’s StorytimeWednesday, October 7, 2026 · Thatcher Woods Pavilion

Family-friendly spots in River Forest

Place photos via Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, and venue sources.

Upcoming family events in River Forest

SatSep 5
  1. 8:30 AMSacred Wanderings in Thatcher WoodsThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Join Unity Temple of Oak Park as we practice connecting with nature.Free
  2. 2 PMAmbassador Animal Species SpotlightTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Meet one of our reptiles or amphibians and learn about their wild counterparts.Free
SunSep 6
  1. 1 PMForest Therapy WalkThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Enjoy a mindful meditation and guided forest therapy walk.Free
ThuSep 10
  1. 4 PMFaire at the Square-Drop-inCummings Square · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Enjoy our “creative-reuse carnival” with themed games made from repurposed materials!Free
SatSep 12
  1. 8 AMBird WalkTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Join a naturalist as we look for local birds.Free
SunSep 13
  1. 1 PMTrailside Fall JamTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Make a simple musical instrument or bring your own and join the jam!Free
TueSep 15
  1. 12 AMSonidos Sagrados: Una Exhibición de Instrumentos AztecasTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Explora los sagrados instrumentos aztecas en exhibición del 15 al 27 de septiembre, descubriendo los sonidos, la historia y el significado…Free
WedSep 16
  1. 9 AMSenior Fitness WalkThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.Free
  2. 9:30 AMChildren’s StorytimeThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Listen to a nature-themed children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity. (Story provided orally & in ASL.)Free
ThuSep 17
  1. 2:30 PMNature Thursdays ‘What is climate change?’ Drop-InTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages.Free
SatSep 19
  1. 3 PM“Bone” AppetitTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.Free
SunSep 20
  1. 9 AMRestoration WorkdayTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Restore habitat and control invasive species.Free
TueSep 22
  1. 10 AMNative American Fall EquinoxThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12A green corn celebration focused on traditional foods and the harvest season.Free
SatSep 26
  1. 11 AMSalsa Dance: Party for the PreservesThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Dance into National Public Lands Day and Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of live music, salsa dancing and festive outdoor fun.Free
SunSep 27
  1. 10 AMRitmos Sagrados: Danza y Herencia AztecaTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Un evento cultural sobre la danza tradicional azteca, destacando instrumentos sagrados, ritmos ancestrales, expresión espiritual y la rica herencia indígena mexicana.Free
FriOct 2
  1. 5 PMHalloween Hoot and HowlKeystone Park · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Spooky family fun featuring live music, pumpkin painting and more.Free
SatOct 3
  1. 1:30 PMAnimal Enrichment StudioTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 5–13Learn about animal behavior while crafting enrichment items ambassador animals!Free
SunOct 4
  1. 8 AMBird WalkTrailside Museum of Natural History · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Join a naturalist as we look for local birds.Free
  2. 1 PMForest Therapy WalkThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Enjoy a mindful meditation and guided forest therapy walk.Free
WedOct 7
  1. 9 AMSenior Fitness WalkThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 3–12Moderately paced, 1-mile fitness walk. Led by University of Illinois Extension volunteer. Ages 55 & up.Free
  2. 9:30 AMChildren’s StorytimeThatcher Woods Pavilion · Outdoors · Ages 5–12Listen to a nature-themed children’s book read aloud, followed by an activity.Free