Free things to do with kids this weekend in Chicago (October 9–11)

Mushroom Walk

Eggers Grove · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join us for a fun fungal walk as we search for mushrooms and learn about these fascinating organisms.

Purple Crayon Players Storytime

Main Library · Evanston · Ages 1–12

Baby Play

Hanover Park Branch - Meeting Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

0-18 months with caregiver Ages:0-18 months with caregiver Come play with your baby and chat with other caregivers.

Family Storytime

Central Library - Youth Program Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

0-5 years with caregiver Ages: 0-5 years with caregiver.

Friendship Bracelet Workshop

Elk Grove Village Public Library - Kids Korner A/B · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Grades 4-8 Thread together some fun with your friends at this workshop to make classic knotted bracelets.

Research Games

Central Library - Craft Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

Grades 4-6 Grades: 4-6 Develop your research skills through various games and activities.

Rust at Dusk

Crabtree Nature Center · Barrington Hills · Ages 5–13

Explore an old farm trail surrounded by tallgrass prairie and relics of the past.

Community Ofrenda | Ofrenda Comunitaria

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Families With Children Of All Ages Pick up a photo frame to personalize and add a photo of a loved one you wish to remember.

Hispanic Heritage Month Seek & Find

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Children of all ages | Niños de todas las edades Swing by Youth Services Desk to grab a scavenger list.

Trickster DaWaag (Fall) Camp

Rolling Knolls · Elgin · Ages 5–12

Two-day camp for all ages featuring cultural teachings, storytelling, games, artmaking and more!

Word of the Week

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Become a dictionary detective with our new Word of the Week challenge!

Fun Factory Saturday

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 1–12

Children of all ages Drop by the library to make a simple craft on your own or with the help of a parent/caregiver.

Sketchbook Saturdays

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Grades 5-8 Drop in to Youth Services and spend some time this Saturday creating art!

Teen Music Collective

Central Library - Digital Recording,Editing,Program Room · Schaumburg · Ages 10–13

Grades 7-12 Grades 7-12 Learn how to produce music with instruction from industry professional Jalen Little.

Underground Railroad Tour

John Husar I&M Canal Bicycle Trail Parking Lot · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Tour includes info about the historical significance of this corridor.

Fall Colors Paddle

Tower Road Boat Launch · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Enjoy fall color while paddling Skokie Lagoons.

Fall Tree Walk

Deer Grove-West · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Enjoy a guided walk and learn how to identify trees in the fall.

Freedom to Read: Sublimation T-Shirts

Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room · Downers Grove · Ages 5–12

Grades 2-6: Design your own custom T-shirt.

Hispanic Heritage Paddle

Powderhorn Lake · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join Friends of the Chicago River for bilingual bird paddling and storytelling on the water.

Nature Wellness Walk

Sauk Trail Woods-Central · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Immerse yourself and reconnect with nature and all the beauty it has to offer!

R.I.P. Stewardship

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 5–12

Help us restore native habitats – R emove I nvasive P lants with bow saws or loppers.

Weekend Storytime

Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room · Downers Grove · Ages 1–12

Join us every weekend for picture books, songs, and activities designed for preschoolers to promote early literacy and vocabulary skills.

Saturday Repair Cafe

Robert Crown Branch Library · Evanston · Ages 3–12

Saturday Storytime

Central Library - Youth Program Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

0-5 years with caregiver Ages: 0-5 years with caregiver Join us once a month for a Saturday morning of stories, songs, flannels, and fun.

Wellness in the Woods: Yoga

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Join us for a free 60-minute class focused on building stability, flexibility, and relaxation through the practices of breath-work, mindful movement, and meditation.

Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop

Evans Field · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.

Forest Therapy Walk

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 3–12

Reconnect with nature. Relaxing meditative practices and mindfulness led by the University of Illinois Extension.

Invertebrate Investigation

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center · Lemont · Ages 3–12

Search for insects and arthropods who call tallgrass prairies home.

Tea-time

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 5–13

Sample a variety of herbal tea blends paired with local honeys.

Bling Your Things Bedazzling

Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central · Downers Grove · Ages 10–13

Grades 6-12 Bring your own item or grab one from us, then bedazzle it with gems.

“Bone” Appetit

Trailside Museum of Natural History · River Forest · Ages 3–12

Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.

Sounds Natural Creative Retreat

Camp Shabbona Woods · South Holland · Ages 5–12

Enjoy art, wellness workshops, food and music.

Virtual Field Trip: The Philippines

Central Library - Craft Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

Grades K-3 Grades: K-3 Explore the vast islands of The Philippines through facts, photos, and videos.

What’s On The Menu?

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 3–12

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

After Hours Paranormal Investigation

Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100) · Downers Grove · Ages 10–13

Interested in the paranormal? Join us for an after hours night of paranormal investigation using a variety of equipment from the library's…

Owl Prowl

Sand Ridge Nature Center · South Holland · Ages 3–12

Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.

Community Ofrenda | Ofrenda Comunitaria

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Families With Children Of All Ages Pick up a photo frame to personalize and add a photo of a loved one you wish to remember.

Hispanic Heritage Month Seek & Find

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Children of all ages | Niños de todas las edades Swing by Youth Services Desk to grab a scavenger list.

Pop-Up Program: Explore Banned Books Week

Central Library · Schaumburg · Ages 3–13

Explore Banned Books Week Celebrate Banned Books Week (October 4–10) by visiting any Schaumburg Library location to explore our Periodic…

Word of the Week

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Become a dictionary detective with our new Word of the Week challenge!

Sunrise Hike

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 3–12

Step into the quiet stillness of early morning and join us for a before-hours hike to witness the beauty of a new day.

Sacred Wanderings in Thatcher Woods

Thatcher Woods Pavilion · River Forest · Ages 3–12

Join Unity Temple of Oak Park as we practice connecting with nature.

Bird Banding

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center · Lemont · Ages 3–12

Observe bird banding and talk with banders.

Sunday Market at Jefferson

Jefferson · Chicago · Ages 5–12

Restoration Workday

Crabtree Nature Center · Barrington Hills · Ages 5–12

Help us restore healthy habitats. Ages 8 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. High schoolers may earn service hours.

Fall Color Walk

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 3–12

View the spectacular fall colors while enjoying a casual walk in the woods.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 3–12

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making decorative sugar skulls.

Storybook Cinema

Elk Grove Village Public Library - Kids Korner A/B · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Families with children of all ages No registration required—just drop in and watch classic storybooks come to life on screen!

Eco-Print Dyeing Workshop

Palos Park Woods-North · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Create an eco-print with fall leaves and learn how to make your own mini plant press.

Passport to Germany: Celebrating Schaumburg, Germany

Central Library · Schaumburg · Ages 3–13

Schaumburg Sister Cities Commission Celebrate German culture with an afternoon of activities, entertainment, and family fun.

Art Studio For Fun Reception

Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100) · Downers Grove · Ages 3–12

Join the student artists of Art Studio for Fun and enjoy their works on display during this reception.

Crochet Corner

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Drop in to the Sunday Crochet Corner where you can work on personal projects with your own supplies, or work with provided yarn and hooks.

Pumpkin Candles

Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room · Downers Grove · Ages 5–13

Make pumpkin candles with vacuum forming!

Cardboard and String Spinners

Central Library - STEM Lab · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

Grades 4-6 Grades:4-6 Create your own cardboard spinning disc toy with string and common materials.

What’s On The Menu?

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 3–12

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

Community Ofrenda | Ofrenda Comunitaria

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Families With Children Of All Ages Pick up a photo frame to personalize and add a photo of a loved one you wish to remember.

Hispanic Heritage Month Seek & Find

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Children of all ages | Niños de todas las edades Swing by Youth Services Desk to grab a scavenger list.

Pop Up Program: Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Central Library · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

Drop off your favorite stuffed animal for an overnight adventure at the library.

Word of the Week

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Become a dictionary detective with our new Word of the Week challenge!