Breadcrumbs

Families

Annual Bulb Sale

Shop dozens of varieties of bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, iris, alliums, crocus, fritillaria, and many more. Daily, through through October 31, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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Acorn Express Tram Tours

Hop on the Acorn Express tram for a tour of our 1,700 acres of blooming beauty narrated by one of our expert guides.

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Troll Hunt

Journey through our far-reaching forest to hunt for six colossal trolls crafted from reclaimed wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo.

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Troll Tram Rides

Explore Troll Hunt from the comfort of our motorized open-air tram. Daily beginning August 13, 2018.

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Library Exhibit: Plant Hunters

The exhibit features artifacts from the library’s special collection relating to famous plant hunters, and it explores modern conservation efforts by scientists at the Arboretum. Tuesdays-Saturdays, during regular library hours.

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Build-a-Tree Eco-Workshop

Use natural and recycled materials to build your own nature keepsake to take home at The Morton Arboretum. Daily June through October, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Fall Color Festival

Surround yourself in 1,700 acres of breathtaking fall color at The Morton Arboretum. Spend the day hiking or biking, explore our award-winning Children’s Garden, or enjoy seasonal events on select weekends, like our Cider and Ale Festival, Glass Pumpkin Patch art sale, Grimmest of Ghost Tales, Halloween events, and more!

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Family Explorers Backpack

Looking for a unique experience in the Children’s Garden At The Morton Arboretum? Rent a self-guided family backpack and enhance your visit. Available daily, through October, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Scarecrow Trail

Admire creations from local scout troops and vote for your favorite scarecrow. Daily in October, 2018. 7:00 a.m-sunset

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Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat Exhibit

Come learn about the gifts that the world's endangered trees give us—and how you can join the Arboretum in saving them. Daily, 7:00 a.m. - sunset

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Nature Play Spaces

Enjoy creative, unstructured outdoor play spaces, Mud Kitchen near Parking Lot 20 and Word Garden near Parking Lot 13. Daily, weather permitting, 7:00 a.m. to sunset

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Acorn Express Adventures

Join us on the Acorn Express tram for a family friendly tram-ride adventure through the Arboretum! Wednesdays and Fridays, April-October, (except Friday, July 20) 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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Troll Archives

Find a one-of-a-kind book related to the trolls you are hunting in the Sterling Morton Library. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Saturday

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Garden Story Time

Gather in the Children’s Garden for story time and fun. Fridays, June through October, 2018 11:00 a.m.

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Trick or Trees

Kids, enjoy games and crafts. Costumes encouraged. Weekends in October and Columbus day at The Morton Arboretum. Weekends in October, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Walking Plays at The Morton Arboretum

Walk along with theater performers and experience classic Brothers Grimm tales a new way: surrounded by nature! All Walking Plays are approximately 90 minutes in length and will not exceed 2 miles in hiking distance. Select Weekends in October, 2018

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Breakfast In The Ginkgo Restaurant

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Morton Arboretum in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant! Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00-10:45 a.m.

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Boo Breakfast

Join us for BOO Breakfast, complete with visits from favorite characters. Costumes encouraged. Sunday, October 28, 2018, 9:00 a.m

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Tree Pose Family Yoga

Experience nature from a new angle through fun animal and tree yoga poses! Mondays, May through October, 2018, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (EXCEPT OCTOBER 15 AND 22).

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Gnome Hunt

Can you find all of the gnomes hiding in The Morton Arboretum's Children's Garden? Daily November 2018 through March 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Winter Play

Join us in the Children's Garden for winter time fun! Daily November 2018 through March 2019, in the Children’s Garden from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Weather permitting.

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Arbor Reading Adventures

Join us in the Sterling Morton Library for this popular and interactive story time! Best for ages 2-6 with adult. Wednesdays and Fridays November 2018 through March 2019, 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.

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Dog Admission Day

Hit the trails, at The Morton Arboretum, with your canine friend on the following Saturday, November 3, 2018, 7:00 a.m. to sunset.

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Nature Artists’ Guild (NAG) Holiday Exhibit of Natural History Art

Enjoy more than 150 works of art celebrating nature and see demonstrations by the artists. Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Gnome Globes

After taking a hike through the Children’s Garden to hunt for all of the hiding gnomes, create a keepsake, gnome globe of your own. Weekends, November 2018 through February 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Members’ Extra Discount Weekend

The Morton Arboretum members, enjoy extra savings in time for the holidays. November 9-11, 2018 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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Veterans Day-Veterans Free

All veterans free November 11 and 12!

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Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

See trees in a different light. Our interactive experience filled with dazzling projections, trees that respond to your touch and voice, and vivid, electric colors throughout. November 16, 2018 - January 1, 2019

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Illumination Entertainment

During the week, enjoy various live entertainment in the Ginkgo Room and around the trail during Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum.

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Happy Thanksgiving-FREE Admission

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy FREE admission at The Morton Arboretum. All buildings and the Children's Garden will be closed. Thursday, November 22, 2018

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Breakfast with Santa

Enjoy a special breakfast in The Morton Arboretum's scenic Ginkgo Restaurant and a visit from Santa! Select dates in December

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Supper with St. Nick

Make this holiday season special by joining us in the Thornhill Mansion for an elegant family supper. December 20, 21, 22 and 23, 2018

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Happy Holidays - Free Admission

Enjoy free admission on Christmas Day at The Morton Arboretum! Tuesday, December 25, 2018. Buildings, Children’s Garden, and Illumination are closed.

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Arboretum Store Closed

The Arboretum Store will be closed on Monday, January 7, 2019 for our annual inventory process. The store will re-open on Tuesday, January 8 at our regular time.

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Enchanted Railroad

Watch an intricate railroad travel through a wonderland at a child-friendly level. January 18 through February 24, 2019

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Husky Heroes

Save the date, January 26 and 27, 2019 to see Siberian husky sled pulling, skijoring, and speed demonstrations at The Morton Arboretum. Please leave pets at home.

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Chocolate Weekend Member Night

For Arboretum members only. Shop Chocolate Weekend vendors before the crowds arrive. Friday, February 8, 2019

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Chocolate Weekend

Discover chocolate’s deeply rooted tree history as you taste and shop for treats! Shop, sample, and celebrate chocolate indoors. February, 9 and 10, 2019

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Nature ConnectsⓇ: Art with LEGOⓇ bricks by Sean Kenney

Calling all LEGO® fans! Don't miss Nature Connects Friday, May 24 through Sunday, September 15, 2019

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Tree Pose Family Yoga

Experience nature from a new angle through fun animal and tree yoga poses at The Morton Arboretum! . Mondays, May through October, 2018, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. NO CLASS ON OCTOBER 15 AND 22, 2018.
Fall Family Hike

What happens to the trees, animals, and insects in the fall at The Morton Arboretum? Come and find out on this fun filled, guided family hike. Saturday, November 3 or Friday, November 23, 2018, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Gingerbread House Workshop

Take a winter walk, find out what sweet treats grow on trees, then decorate a keepsake, light-up, chipboard gingerbread house with natural materials to take home at The Morton Arboretum.Saturday, November 17 or December 8, 2018, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
More Youth and Family Programs

Please check our Calendar of events for more youth and family programs.