Breadcrumbs

Families

Arbor Evenings: Music and More

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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Acorn Express Tram Tours

Beginning on April 23, 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.

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Troll Hunt

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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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, April through October, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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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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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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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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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 July 4) 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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Thursday Family Nights

Enjoy live music, games, and crafts 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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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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Vehicle-free biking

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: August 3, 4, 18, and 19

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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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Tree Pose Family Yoga

Experience nature from a new angle through fun animal and tree yoga poses! Mondays, May through September, 2018, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

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Nature Play Date

Join us for a play-date among the trees! We’ll hop on the Acorn Express Tram and head to one of the Arboretum’s Nature Play Spaces. Last Tuesday of each month, June through September, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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Sensory Friendly Sundays

Sensory Friendly Sundays offer the opportunity for families, with sensory needs, to experience a less crowded Children's Garden with minimal noise. First Sunday of May through October.

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Acorn Express Adventures: Homeschool Journey

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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Big and Little Play

Come out to the garden for a day of play! We’ll have games and toys of all sizes for children all ages! Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8, 2018, 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, July, August, and October, 2018

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Bikes, Branches, and Bites

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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Science & S’mores Member Night

Members only event. Try science experiments, meet Arboretum scientists, watch cool tree science demonstrations, and enjoy s’mores around the campfire July 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Thornhill Education Center

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Summer Clearance Sale

Save on home decor, jewelry, books, desktop, apparel, and more. July 27 through August 24, 2018

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Destination Asia Festival

Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food and trees. Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5, 2018

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Zen Gardening

In the Children’s Garden, experience zen gardening, and make your own mini zen garden to take home. Saturday, August 4 through Sunday, 5, 2018, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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The Art of Bonsai

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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Tails on the Trails

Join us for Tails on the Trails on September 8, 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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Passport Europe Festival

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.

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Fall Color 5K Run & Walk

Race through our the trees at our 15th annual Fall Color 5K Run & Walk, Sunday, September 30, 2018.

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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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Trick or Trees

Kids, enjoy games and crafts. Costumes encouraged. Weekends in October and Columbus day at The Morton Arboretum. Weekends in October and Monday, October 8, 2018 (Columbus Day), 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Glass Pumpkin Patch

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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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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Veterans Day-Veterans Free

All veterans free today, November 11!

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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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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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Enchanted Railroad

Watch an intricate railroad travel through a wonderland at a child-friendly level. January 11 through February 18, 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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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, or July 20 through 21, or August 17 through 18, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Family Garden-to-Table Cooking Program

Join us for this five-week, hands-on cooking experience in the garden. Families will learn how to work together to cook meals, make healthy ingredient substitutions, and convenient cost-saving recipes at The Morton Arboretum. Five Tuesdays, July 10 through August 7, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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, June 1; July 13; August 31; or September 7, or Saturdays, May 26; June 16; July 28; August 11; or September 15, 2018, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
More Youth and Family Programs

Please check our Calendar of events for more youth and family programs.
Girl Scout Camp Out in the Children's Garden

Join us for a camp-out designed especially for scouts at The Morton Arboretum. Friday, August 24 through Saturday August 25, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Boy Scout Campout in the Children's Garden

Join us for a camp–out designed especially for scouts at The Morton Arboretum. Friday, September 14 through Saturday September 15, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Tree Pose Family Yoga

Experience nature from a new angle through fun animal and tree yoga poses at The Morton Arboretum! . Mondays, May through September, 2018, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.