Kid-Friendly Events

Prairie Pedal
Tuesday, Sep 1, 2020 - Sunday, Oct 11, 2020 | All Day
Virtual Event, No location,

This annual bicycling event raises funds for the Macon County Conservation Foundation, supporting local wildlife and natural areas. Register to ride your bicycle, or join community members in sponsoring Prairie Pedal!

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Sunday, Sep 27, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Preschool Peepers: Vintage Toys and Games
Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

What toys did children play with in the 1800s? Try your hand at games like graces, jacks, ring-toss, and more. Register online.

Bethel School Open House
Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Friend’s Creek Conservation Area, Cisco, IL

See what going to school was like in the early 20th century at this historic one-room schoolhouse located at Friends Creek Conservation Area.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Saturday, Oct 3, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Sunday, Oct 4, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Archaeology Open House
Sunday, Oct 4, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Stop by to discover the treasures found beneath the Trobaugh-Good house during recent repairs to the 1860s-era farmhouse’s foundation, then try sifting for more!

Nature Day Camp: Changing Seasons
Saturday, Oct 10, 2020 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Itching to get outside after being home? Children ages 6-12 are invited to join a naturalist for a day of fun-filled themed days. Register online.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Saturday, Oct 10, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Sunday, Oct 11, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Bird Migration Hike
Saturday, Oct 17, 2020 | 10:00 am
Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL

Join a naturalist on a hike to see what birds are moving through the forest. Register online.

Canoe the Sangamon
Saturday, Oct 17, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Paddle a canoe down one of our local waterways, the Sangamon River. All equipment is provided. Register online by May 8.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Saturday, Oct 17, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Sunday, Oct 18, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Saturday, Oct 24, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Sunday, Oct 25, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
Saturday, Oct 31, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there. Located at Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL. Free.

Halloween Hike
Saturday, Oct 31, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Bring your ghouls and goblins on a hike as we learn about Halloween traditions and how wildlife has inspired some of our spookiest tales. Register online.

Campfire Legends and Stories
Saturday, Nov 7, 2020 | 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Gather ‘round the campfire and listen to a naturalist tell different about wildlife and Native American legends. Register online.

Candlelight Tour
Saturday, Nov 14, 2020 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL

Glimpse what an evening in the 1860s was like at Homestead Prairie Farm, lit by candlelight and lamplight, as guides in period clothing walk you through the home. Register online.

Snake and Turtle Show
Sunday, Nov 15, 2020 | 2:00 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.

Predators of the Prairie
Saturday, Nov 21, 2020 | 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! Register online.

Preschool Peepers: Seeds
Sunday, Nov 22, 2020 | 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Why do plants make seeds and when is the best time to find them? We will take a walk outside to search for some, then come inside and make a craft with seeds. Register online.

Native American Skills and Games
Saturday, Nov 28, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 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 cultures and lifestyles, then discover the art of beading and try your hand at 3D archery. Register online.

Full Moon Astronomy
Sunday, Nov 29, 2020 | 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Why is November’s full moon sometimes called the ‘Beaver Moon’? Discover this and more as we view the moon through our telescope, then head out on a short hike lit only by the moon itself. Register online.