Families

  • Family Explorers Backpack

    The contains of the Family Explorer Backpack available for rental.
    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, April through October, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Build-a-Tree Eco-Workshop

    A tree made out of paper towel rolls, bottle caps and Popsicle sticks
    Use natural and recycled materials to build your own nature keepsake to take home at The Morton Arboretum. Daily April and May, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Acorn Express Tram Tours

    The Acorn Express open-air Tram
    Beginning on April 23rd, 2018 (weather permitting), hop on the Acorn Express tram for a tour of our 1,700 acres of blooming beauty narrated by one of our expert guides. Call 630-968-0074 for times and pricing.

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  • Library Exhibit: Plant Hunters

    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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  • Nature Play Spaces

    A child making mud pies in the Mud Kitchen
    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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  • Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat Exhibit

    A visitor learning about endangered tree species by using the interactive panels
    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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  • Acorn Express Adventures

    A family is riding the Acorn Express Adventure Tram.
    Join us on the Acorn Express tram for a family friendly tram-ride adventure through the Arboretum! We’ll seek out fun destinations to hike, make a craft, and explore new topics each week. Wednesdays and Fridays, April-October, (except July) 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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  • Bike Rentals

    Row of bikes to rent
    Explore nine miles of paved roads that wind through our magnificent tree collections. Starts Friday, April 27 and daily beginning on Memorial Day. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

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  • Arbor Weekend

    Families are walking through the Children's Garden in the spring
    Celebrate Arbor Day in the Children's Garden all weekend long! Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Dress Like a Tree, Get In Free

    Photo of children dressed like a tree
    On April 27, 2018 celebrate trees by dressing like one. On Arbor Day get free admission to The Morton Arboretum when you dress like a tree. One free general admission per costumed individual. Arbor Day only, April 27, 2018.

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  • Special Tree Planting and Story Time!

    Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat planting a tree
    Celebrate Arbor Day with a walk from the Children's Garden to a tree planting. Friday, April 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

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  • We Love Trees

    A large tree cookie has smaller tree cookies on top that spell out we love trees.
    Discover some of the wonderful products that trees give us at The Morton Arboretum. Weekends in April, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Breakfast In The Ginkgo Restaurant

    Pancakes with blueberries and powdered sugar
    Enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Morton Arboretum in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant! Saturdays & Sundays, 9:00-10:45 a.m. The Ginkgo Restaurant will be closed on March 31, April 1, and May 13, 2018

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  • Home is Where Your Tree Is

    A squirrel is sitting in a tree and looking at you.
    Roots, bark, branches and leaves, trees are home to many creatures. Come discover who calls a tree home and make a tree charm to take home. Daily in May, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Acorn Express Adventures: Homeschool Journey

    The Acorn Express Tram is moving down the road.
    Join us on the Acorn Express for a family friendly tram ride adventure through the Arboretum! The first Wednesday of each Month, April 4 Through October 3, (except July 4) 2018, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

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  • Garden Story Time

    Children are listening to a story in the Children's Garden
    Gather in the Children’s Garden for story time and fun. Fridays starting in May, 2018 11:00 a.m.

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  • Vehicle-free biking

    A biker with a child
    Enjoy bicycling in an "auto-free zone" on summer Friday nights, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. May through August 2018. Please note these exceptions: You will be sharing the road with cars due to special events on: Saturday, May 5, Friday, August 3, Saturday, August 4, Saturday, August 18, and Sunday August 19

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  • Tails on the Trails

    A dog running the agility course
    Join us for Tails on the Trails on May 5, 2018, a "paw"fect day out with your pup as you meander down The Morton Arboretum's 16 miles of hiking trails. Dogs are only allowed on special days like these!

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  • Tree Pose Family Yoga

    Children are practicing yoga outside.
    Experience nature from a new angle through fun animal and tree yoga poses! Mondays, May through June (except Memorial Day), 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

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  • Troll Hunt

    Close-up of a giant troll created from discarded wood. His hand is wrapped around a tree trunk.
    From May 7 through June 21, 2018, artist-in-residence Thomas Dambo uses discarded wood to create six giant trolls, guardians of the forest, who will inhabit the Arboretum. The full hunt begins June 22, 2018!

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  • National Public Gardens Day

    Aerial view of the Maze Garden
    Celebrate National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 11, 2018 at The Morton Arboretum. 7:00 a.m. to sunset there is something to do at The Morton Arboretum.

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  • Fun with the Fairies!

    A drawing of a fairy with pine needle wings and pine cone top.a
    Did you know that fairies live in the Children’s Garden at The Morton Arboretum? Come and celebrate garden fairies on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday May 13, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner

    Springy table setting
    Celebrate Mom with a fabulous brunch against the blooming backdrop of Meadow Lake. Sunday, May 13, 2018.

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  • A Splashy Celebration in the Children's Garden

    Artist rendering of new space with shade and benches near Wonder Pond
    Come see and celebrate recent enhancements to the Children's Garden, including Wonder Pond, the staff support building, and picnic pavilion on Saturday, May 19. Groove to live family-friendly entertainment, enjoy Frog and Toad story times, frog-inspired activities, crafts, and more!

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  • Arbor Evenings: Music and More

    Visitors sitting on the grass and in lawn chairs
    Wednesday is the new Friday! Unwind with wine and a live concert outdoors on summer evenings. Wednesdays, June 6 through August 29, 2018 except July 4.

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  • Thursday Family Nights

    Families gather on the grass sitting on picnic blankets
    Enjoy live music, kid-friendly fare, and entertainment after-hours. Thursdays, June 14, through August 16, 2018 at The Morton Arboretum's Children's Garden. 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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  • Nature Play Date

    Two children playing in an outdoor space

    Join us for a play date among the trees. Hop on the Acorn Express Tram and explore one of the Arboretum’s Nature Play Spaces.

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  • Bikes, Branches, and Bites

    A family exploring nature on bikes
    Cyclists and foodies, enjoy vehicle-free roads, live entertainment, and a food truck social. July 7, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to sunset. at The Morton Arboretum.

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  • Semi-Annual Clearance Sale

    Summer display in the Arboretum Store
    Save on home decor, jewelry, books, desktop, apparel, and more. July 27 through August 24, 2018

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  • Destination Asia Festival

    A Toro Nagashi Japanese floating lantern display on water
    Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food and trees. Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5, 2018

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  • The Art of Bonsai

    Display of several Bonsai displays
    See bonsai displays and demonstrations, by Prairie State Bonsai Society members at The Morton Arboretum, August 4 & 5, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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  • Passport Europe Festival

    A German dance trio
    Immerse yourself in the diverse cultures of Europe with visits to our European tree collections, plus culinary delights, authentic musical performances, impressive dancing demonstrations, and much more. Saturday, September 22, and Sunday, September 23, 2018, at The Morton Arboretum.

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  • Fall Color 5K Run & Walk

    Runners participating in the Fall Color 5k Run & Walk
    Save the date for our 15th annual Fall Color 5K Run & Walk, Sunday, September 30, 2018.

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  • Glass Pumpkin Patch

    Glass-blown pumpkin with several gourds
    Explore a dazzling collection of hand-blown glass pumpkins and other autumnal designs in mesmerizing colors, shapes, and sizes. At The Morton Arboretum, October 10 through 14, 2018

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  • Dog Admission Day

    A dog at 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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  • Veterans Day-Veterans Free

    Veteran's get in free on Veteran's Day
    All veterans free today, November 11!

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  • Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

    Colors splashed across the hemlock trees - Treemagination
    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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  • Happy Holidays - Free Admission

    Snowy larches around Meadow Lake
    Enjoy free admission on Christmas Day at The Morton Arboretum! Monday, December 25, 2017. Buildings, Children’s Garden, and Illumination are closed.

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  • Family Twilight Adventures

    Join us for a fun-filled adventure after hours at The Morton Arboretum to explore the night's theme with a tram ride, activities, and a hike. Fridays, May 11 or June 1, or Saturdays, May 26 or June 16, 2018, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  • Children’s Garden Campout

    Join us for a campout designed especially for families! Pitch your tent on the lawn inside the Children’s Garden and get ready for a night filled with fun at The Morton Arboretum. Friday, June 22 through Saturday June 23, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

  • More Youth and Family Programs

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

More events

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Calendar of April events.
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