Chicago Botanic Garden

For families

PHOTO: class on the prairieNature Nights

Roam the Garden after hours and uncover the mysteries of nature
at night!

Bring a picnic dinner and spend an evening in the Garden! Children ages 4 to 10 and their families will explore different areas of the Garden and enjoy a variety of discovery-based activities. Each Nature Nights also includes a short tram ride, planting project, and s’mores around the camp fire. Nature Nights is held rain or shine. Visit Nature Nights Basics for more information, or call (847) 835-6826.

Ages: Children ages 4 to 10 accompanied by adults. Limit of three children per adult, please. An adult MUST accompany children.
Times: 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Fees: $20 per child Garden Plus member
$23 per child nonmember
Registration for Nature Nights begins on March 1, 2010.
May 22
or June 12		 Woodland Walk — Spend the evening in McDonald Woods and learn about the animals that make it their home. You and your child will examine the plants and trees found in the woods, find animal habitats, walk in animal footprints, and take home a woodland plant. PHOTO: prairie prowl
PHOTO: girl potting plant
June 26
or July 10		 Aquatic Adventure — Find out about how water makes all life possible. You and your child will look at the plants and animals that live in the water using scientific tools to explore the aquatic areas of the Garden. Together, you'll make an aquatic garden to take home.
July 24
or August 14		 Prairie Prowl — Explore the Dixon Prairie to learn about how prairies grow and find the plants and animals that call it home. You and your child will collect seeds, examine beneficial bugs, talk about the lifecycle of a prairie, and plant your own prairie plant to take home.
August 28 or
September 11		 Savor the Senses — Taste, touch, smell, see and listen— use all five of your senses during our exploration of the Sensory Garden. Learn about different plants and their adaptations to entice (or repel) people and insects. You and your child will experience the taste, smell, and feel of plants, and take home your own sensory plant.
September 25
or October 9		 Autumn Abundance — Experience the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden in the fall and see what happens in a garden at the end of the growing season. You and your child will explore the garden to find plants used for food and shelter for both people and animals, discuss composting plant materials, and even harvest some veggies to take home.