Kid-Friendly Events

Free Field Trip Transportation from Decatur Audubon
Friday, Nov 1, 2019 - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

The Decatur Audubon Society will cover transportation costs for 20 school buses to take field trips to Rock Springs Nature Center or any of the five Macon County Conservation Areas, from now until the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

Preschool Peepers: Talking Turkeys
Saturday, Nov 30, 2019 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn about the life of a wild turkey and make a turkey craft to take home. Register online by November 29.

Christmas Tea at Oglesby Mansion
Sunday, Dec 8, 2019 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oglesby Mansion, Decatur, IL

Stop by the Governor Oglesby Mansion to enjoy a traditional Christmas afternoon tea. Experience this historic Victorian home all decked out for the holidays.

Seasons Changes Hike
Sunday, Dec 8, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover the changes happening outside as wildlife prepares for winter. Register online.

Geminid Meteor Shower
Friday, Dec 13, 2019 | 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Friend’s Creek Conservation Area, Cisco, IL

Bring your lawn chair to Friends Creek Conservation Area to view the strongest meteor shower of the year. Free. Register online.

Mammals of Illinois
Saturday, Dec 14, 2019 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

What is a mammal? Examine the pelts, tracks, and skulls of Illinois mammals to piece together what their lives are like. Register online.

Snake and Turtle Show
Sunday, Dec 15, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Meet, feel, and learn about our education animals and their ways of life. We have several species to show you! Register online.

Trip to Illinois’ Largest Tree
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Venture to Ogle County in northern Illinois to see the state’s largest tree. We’ll also visit the Jarrett Prairie Center and hike on a dolomite hill prairie. Register online.

Armchair Birding
Saturday, Dec 21, 2019 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Enjoy some peace and calm before the holidays by watching the birds from the comfort of our indoor Window on Wildlife. Free. Register online.

Discovering Dinosaurs
Sunday, Dec 22, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

How many dinosaur fossils have been found in Illinois? Learn all about these reptilian creatures and see how you size up to them. Register online.

Preschool Peepers: Feed the Birds
Saturday, Dec 28, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Young children are invited to learn about birds that winter here, take a hike, and then make a peanut butter or Crisco pinecone bird feeder to hang outside for the birds. Register online.

Let’s Rock!
Sunday, Dec 29, 2019 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Dig up the difference between rocks, minerals, and fossils! Register online.

Pajama Party Mini Camp
Monday, Dec 30, 2019 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children 1-5 will learn what animals do during the cold months. Join the fun by wearing your favorite pajamas, which keep us warm just like an animal’s fur! Register online.

Pajama Party Mini Camp
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children 1-5 will learn what animals do during the cold months. Join the fun by wearing your favorite pajamas, which keep us warm just like an animal’s fur! Register online.

Winter Tree Identification Hike
Sunday, Jan 5, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Uncover the secrets to identifying trees in the middle of winter on a guided hike through the forest. Free. Register online.

Full Moon Viewing
Friday, Jan 10, 2020 | 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

See the full moon 50 times larger through our telescope, then take a short hike to view the forest illuminated by our only natural satellite. Free. Register online.

Majestic Eagles Mini Camp
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will explore how eagles live, what they eat, and where they sleep. Register online.

Homeschool Program: Birds of Prey
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Homeschoolers are invited to join a naturalist to learn the difference between hawks, owls, eagles, and other raptors. Free. Register online.

Majestic Eagles Mini Camp
Thursday, Jan 16, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will explore how eagles live, what they eat, and where they sleep. Register online.

Eagle Viewing Trip at Starved Rock State Park
Saturday, Jan 18, 2020 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum. Register online.

Preschool Peepers: Ice Cold
Sunday, Jan 19, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Take a short hike outside to discover a winter wonderland, then go inside to learn about freezing temperatures, do a craft, and paint with ice. Free. Register online.

Pere Marquette State Park Eagle Trip
Tuesday, Jan 21, 2020 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Visit this state park and venture through river bluffs and woods to get an up-close look at wintering bald eagles along the Mississippi River and lower Illinois River. Register online.

Eagle Viewing Trip at Starved Rock State Park
Saturday, Jan 25, 2020 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum. Register online.

Native American Games and Lifestyles
Sunday, Jan 26, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

What was life like for the Native Americans who inhabited Illinois over 200 years ago? Learn about their culture, lifestyle, and experience the skill-building games they played. Free. Register online.

Story Time: Winter Lore
Thursday, Jan 30, 2020 | 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Old Man Winter has made his way back to central Illinois! Join a naturalist as we read Native American stories about winter. Free. Register online.

Eagle Viewing Trip at Starved Rock State Park
Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Take a trip to this popular state park to look for wintering eagles, check out the visitor’s center, and even visit the lock and dam museum. Register online.

Predators of the Prairie
Saturday, Feb 8, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Join a naturalist to learn about the different natural predators found in our prairies, then journey outside to find some! Free. Register online.

Sleepy Groundhogs Mini Camp
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will discover why groundhogs have their own holiday. Register online.

Sleepy Groundhogs Mini Camp
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will discover why groundhogs have their own holiday. Register online.

Trip to Cahokia Mounds
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2020 | 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Travel back in time as you learn about ancient Native Americans as you tour the Mounds and Interpretive Center exhibits. Register online.

Maple Syrup Programs
Saturday, Feb 15, 2020 | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn how sap becomes syrup, why spring is the best time of year to harvest sap, and how people used sap throughout history. Held hourly at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm. Register online by February 14.

Preschool Peepers: Wild Woodpeckers
Sunday, Feb 16, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 3-5 will learn about native woodpeckers, then make a woodpecker craft to take home. Free. Register online.

Trip to Dickson Mounds and Emiquon Preserve
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2020 | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Travel with us to Lewistown, IL for a natural and cultural history road trip. Experience Native American exhibits at Dickson Mounds, then visit Emiquon Preserve. Register online.

Leap Day Nature Walk
Saturday, Feb 29, 2020 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL

Take a hike through a quiet winter woodland as we observe an event that only happens once every four years: Leap Day! Free. Register online.