The Morton Arb

Choose between the Sensory or Discover Backpacks filled with science tools, guides, and fun props for families with children ages 2-6. One backpack suggested for up to five family members.

Daily, April-October
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Children's Garden

$4 per backpack ($5 per backpack for nonmembers)
Purchase tickets for backpacks at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

(Backpacks are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis)

In the morning, have a light breakfast and explore the garden before it opens.

For families with children ages 2 & up.

Tents are not provided, please bring your own. 

Friday, June 21– Saturday, June 22
6:30 p.m.–9:30 a.m.
Children's Garden

Member $30  (nonmember $37)

Register NOW

ONLINE
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a Member? Join or renew Now 

Sponsored by

We'll hike, do activities and take a tram ride through the woods after dark. 

Note: Children must be accompanied by adult registrant; please plan to have at least one adult per five children; classes will take place rain or shine so dress for the weather.

June 8 & 14, July 13 & 19, August 3 & 9, September 14 & 20
Fridays: 7:00– 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 6:00- 8:00 p.m.

Fees are per person:
Member $16 (nonmember $19)
Children 2 and under are free with accompanying adult.

REGISTER
ONLINE
     Saturday, June 8; Nighttime Sensory Expedition 
     Friday, June 14; Nighttime Sensory Expedition
     Saturday, July 13; Fascinating Fireflies
     Friday, July 19; Fascinating Fireflies
     Saturday, August 3; Year of the Snake
     Friday, August 9; Year of the Snake
     Saturday, September 14; Curious Coyotes and the Fascinating Fox
     Friday, September 20; Curious Coyotes and the Fascinating Fox
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a member? Begin or renew membership now.

Stare in amazement at 10 larger-than-life insect sculptures. The sculptures are built using natural materials including trees, dried branches, roots and green saplings. Kids can pick up their free Official Bug Detective Guide and uncover the truth about bugs as they explore the exhibit. 

David Rogers' Big Bugs
May 10-September 8
7:00 a.m. -sunset
Free with Arboretum admission

Join us for these BUG-TASTIC events for the whole family!

Incredible Insects
June 8 & 9
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Children's Garden
Get an up-close look at giant Madagascan hissing cockroaches, a leaf-mimicking praying mantis, a tarantula named Cecil, and more. Free with Arboretum admission.

Meet Ladybug Girl
June 22
10:00 a.m. – noon
The Arboretum Store
Meet and take photos with Ladybug Girl, get a sweet "ladybug" treat, color, craft, and have fun! Free with Arboretum admission.

Ladybug Picnic
June 30
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Parking Lot 20
Celebrate ladybugs with a picnic. Discover why they are beneficial to plants, make fun crafts, and join in a live ladybug release. #Y2016
Member: $18 per person (nonmember: $25) 

Edible Insects
July 14 & July 21
2:00 -3:30 p.m.
Sycamore Room
Insect cuisine is enjoyed in many parts of the world – do you dare to try it? Join us as we learn about the food chain, sample tasty insects, and make insect crafts. Note: Bug tasting is optional. #Y308
Member: $10 per person (nonmember: $17)

Spider City
July 20 & 21
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Children's Garden
Join Brian Moskalik PhD, assistant professor of zoology at the University of St. Francis, to view local spiders, praying mantids, and exotic tarantulas. Free with Arboretum admission. 

Meet the Monarchs
August 6 & August 14
9:30 –11:00 a.m.
Children's Garden
Kids ages 3-5, with an adult, can join us as we act out the lifecycle from crawling caterpillars to fluttering beauties. We'll also play games and make a marvelous monarch craft. #Y305
Member: $18 per child (nonmember: $25) 

Monarch Madness
August 24
11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
Children's Garden
Explore the wonderful world of monarch butterflies. Take a closer look at tiny butterfly eggs, view how scientists tag butterflies for research, and take home milkweed seeds to start your own butterfly feeding ground. Free with Arboretum admission.

Celebrate bugs in the Children's Garden daily from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
with these drop-in programs. Sponsored by Navistar.  

June
Lovely Ladybugs: Test your skills in a bug board game and make a ladybug mask.
Ants in your Plants: Learn about ants and make an a-maze-ing ant craft.

July
Splendid Spiders: Discover where spiders live and how they help gardens.
Grand Grasshoppers: Explore these little creatures and learn why they're so noisy.

August
From Water to Wings: Learn about dragonflies and make a winged craft.
Butterflies and Blossoms: Find out facts about butterflies and create a disguise.

Enjoy hourly demonstrations, tours, and presentations on a variety of activities from bike maintenance to stand up paddle boarding.

Outdoor Adventure Day at The Morton Arboretum
Sunday, May 19
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Meadow Lake and Arbor Court

Free with Arboretum admission

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Drop-In Presentations 

  
Stop by for a few minutes or stay for the entire session. Either way, you’ll pick up some great tips from the experts at REI.

11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m., Bike Maintenance Basics
Learn to lube a chain, fix a flat tire in record time, and make other minor adjustments to your bicycle. (No personal bikes please.)

Noon & 1:00 p.m., The Ultimate Car Camping Setup
This product presentation highlights key camping equipment available from REI. Event participants will have the opportunity to explore gear and learn more about the tools that will allow them to camp in style.

Noon & 2:00 p.m., Yoga in the Outdoors
This class will introduce basic yoga exercises and poses along with insights for incorporating yoga into your outdoor fitness routine. Yoga mats are not required.

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Outdoor Adventure Tours

  
Guided experiences designed for smaller groups. First come, first served. Participants will meet in Arbor Court before setting off on their tour.

11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m., Hiking Basics
Pick up tips and tricks on all aspects of hiking. Learn about trip planning, essential items, equipment, safety precautions, along with local resources, and places to go.

Noon, Map and Compass Basics
Learn the parts of a compass, how to read a topographic map, and how to use them in tandem. You'll learn how to navigate to new locations by following a bearing as well as other essential navigation skills. Maps and compasses are provided.

1:00 p.m., Fitness in the Outdoors
Explore how to incorporate cross-training exercises into your outdoor activities to create a unique and specialized workout just for you. (May require light jogging.)

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Demonstrations and Experiences

11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m., Stand Up Paddle Boarding Demos on Meadow Lake (non-participatory)

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Slack Lining (waiver required to participate)

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Rock Wall Climbing (waiver required to participate)

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Adventure Day at The Morton Arboretum is sponsored by:

Head out into nature as a family and get the kids away from gadgets and the distraction of TV and video games. Build lasting memories every Thursday, July 11-August 15, as you enjoy together-time on the beautiful grounds of the Arboretum.

Explore the Children's Garden, navigate a real maze garden, and bop to the beat of groovy tunes. Be sure to check out Tree House Tales, where you can enter a magical tree village that's filled with adventure and imagination and David Rogers' Big Bugs where you'll stare in amazement at 10 larger-than-life insect sculptures.

Every Thursday, July 11-August 15
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Children's Garden

Free with Arboretum admission.

Nonmember Special: $5 admission per person after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday Family Nights evenings.

Admission is free for children under 2.

No registration required.

Music Lineup

July 11-- Jodi Koplin
July 18-- Radio Rock
July 25-- Super Stolie
August 1-- Zak Morgan
August 8-- Duke Otherwise
August 15-- Little Nashville

Thursday Family Nights Presenting Sponsor

Enjoy music by White Saddle Band. Plus, explore our exhibitions, Tree House Tales and David Rogers' Big Bugs.

Food and beverage is available for purchase; Entertainment is free. 

Normal gate fees will apply to nonmembers.

No reservations required, first come, first served.

Sunday, June 16
11:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
Arbor Court

Sponsored by 

In the morning, have a light breakfast and explore the Arboretum. 

Tents are not provided, please bring your own.

Friday, July 26– Saturday, July 27 (Best suited for families with children ages 2-8)
Friday, August 2 – Saturday, August 3 (Best suited for families with children ages 5-10)
6:30 p.m.- 9:00 a.m.
Site varies 

Member $30 (nonmember $37)

REGISTER NOW
ONLINE
     July 26-Children's Garden 
     August 2-Parking Lot 21
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a member? Join or renew now.

Sponsored by 

We'll also play games and make a marvelous monarch craft.

Member $18 per child (nonmember $25 per child)

Tuesday, August 6 & Wednesday, August 14
9:30– 11:00 a.m.
Children's Garden

Register NOW!

ONLINE
     August 6
     August 14
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a member? Join or renew now!

Sponsored by

Discover why they are beneficial to plants, make fun crafts, and join in a live ladybug release.

For families with children of all ages

Sunday, August 30
11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Parking Lot 20

Member $18 per person (nonmember $25 per person)

Register NOW

ONLINE
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a member? Join or renew now!

Techniques for creating bonsai will be demonstrated by members of the Prairie State Bonsai Society. Bonsai and bonsai supplies will also be available for purchase. 

Saturday, September 21 & Sunday, September 22
10 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. 
Visitor Center, Sycamore Room 

Join us as we learn about the food chain, sample tasty insects, and make insect crafts. Note: Bug tasting is optional.

For families with children under 10

Sundays, July 14 & 21
2:00- 3:30 p.m.
Sycamore Room

Member $10 (nonmembers $17)

REGISTER NOW
ONLINE
     July 14
     July 21
CALL 630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours   

Not a member? Join or renew today.