Aerial Arts

Aerobics

Aikido

Archery

Art & Crafts

Baseball

Basketball

Biking

Bilingual

Board Games

Boating/canoeing

Bowling

Boxing

Capoeira

Ceramics

Cheerleading

Chess

Coding/Programming

Cooking

Cricket

Dance

Drawing/Sketching

Drones

Embroidery

Entrepreneurship

Experiment

Exploration

Farming

Fencing

Field Hockey

Field Trips

Filmmaking

Fishing

Flag Football

Football

Futsal

Gaga Ball

Gardening

Glass work

Go-Karting

Gymnastics

Hapkido

Hiking

Hockey

Horse back

Ice Skating

Jewelry Making

Jiu jitsu

Judo

Karate

Kayaking

Kickboxing

Knitting

Kobudo

Krav Maga

Kung Fu

Lacrosse

Lazer Tag

Marathon

Math

Mini golf

Modeling

Muay Thai

Music

Music Therapy

Nature

Ninja

Occupational Therapy

Painting

Photography

Physical Therapy

Ping-Pong

Playing Instrument

Podcasting

Pottery

Printmaking

Reading

Religious service

Riflery

Robotics

Rock Climbing

Rope Course

Sailing

Scuba Diving

Sensory Play

Sewing

Skating

Sky Diving

Snorkelling

Soccer

Softball

Song Writing

Speech Therapy

Sportsfield activities

STEM/STEAM

Story Telling

Surfing

Swimming

Table Tennis

In the heart of the U.S. is a state, called Illinois, often known as the "Prairie State". Here, it is as if Mother Nature has her own special paintbrush, changing the scenery with every season. From the twinkling snow of Chicago winters to the golden hues of the Harvest season, Illinois is a beauty to behold.

Now, imagine a group of children from this very state who have embarked on a curious adventure, not into a magic forest or a fairy land, but into the humble, messy, utterly magnificent world of gardening. These are the Green Thumb Squad of Illinois, a team of young soil samurais, tackling any weed that dares to pop its head up and whispering sweet compliments to the tomato plants to get them to blush a rosy red.

Their leader is none other than the legendary Sir Shovel-a-Lot, a garden gnome with a bright blue hat and a twinkle in his eye that outshines the morning dew. Sir Shovel-a-Lot, with his magical shovel, guides the Green Thumb Squad, teaching them the secrets of the earth and the stories of every seed. He makes the tough work of gardening giggle-worthy, making funny faces when he digs up earthworms and narrating hilarious tales of battling 'evil' garden pests.

So, if you ever find yourself in Illinois, keep an eye out for the Green Thumb Squad and their magical garden, where laughter grows like a sunflower in the sunshine and where every child learns that with a seed of hope and a dash of fun, miracles can bloom beneath their very hands.

Kelly Sikkema

Inexpensive

Affordable

Moderate

Luxury

At Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, you and your family can experience the beauty of nature year-round. Enjoy the changing colors of the fall foliage, snow-covered trees in the winter, wildflowers in the spring, and summertime amphibians. There's something to explore any time of year!

The center provides two ponds, acres of woodland, a mile of looped trails, and an interactive nature center, making it a great place to relax, recreate, and learn. You can even take the wheelchair-accessible trail to the pond and meadow. Come explore the natural wonders of Hawthorne Hill Nature Center with your family!

Hawthorne Hill Nature Center

Preserving open space helps to maintain the beauty of nature and provide much-needed serenity and solitude. Keeping natural areas free from development can help protect plants and wildlife, and help to ensure clean air and drinking water for our communities. Taking action to support areas of outdoor recreation can offer families and individuals the opportunity to enjoy activities such as hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, fishing, and other forms of entertainment. It's also important to provide outdoor and environmental education for people of all ages, as it can help foster an appreciation for the environment.

Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District

At Primrose Farm, operated by the St. Charles Park District, visiting is always FREE! Take a leisurely stroll around the farmyard to meet the animal friends, including Jersey Cows, Belgian Draft Horses, Shropshire Sheep, and Nigerian Dwarf Goats. Don’t forget to explore the farm buildings to learn about their history. And if you’re looking for a more active outing, there are plenty of multi-use trails perfect for walking, biking, and more.

Head to Primrose Farm for a fun, free outing with the whole family! Greet the friendly animal friends, like the Jersey Cows, Belgian Draft Horses, Shropshire Sheep, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, and more. Then, take a tour of the farm buildings to learn about their history. And if you’re feeling adventurous, take a walk or bike ride on the multi-use trails. It’s a great way to spend the day!

Primrose Farm

The Talking Farm is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2006 with a goal of connecting communities to the benefits of a healthy local food system. Today, they are achieving this goal in a variety of ways, from producing, distributing, and selling locally grown, nutritious food to teaching communities about sustainability, urban agriculture, horticulture, and biodiversity. The Howard Street Farm in Skokie, Illinois is the site for their 2.5-acre urban farm project. 

In the past decade, The Talking Farm has provided over 12 comprehensive, hands-on educational programs and over 3,000 learning hours at the Howard Street Farm. In addition, they have distributed over 21,000 pounds of locally grown produce to the community and have plans to distribute over 60,000 pounds by 2022. With the help of generous donations, The Talking Farm hopes to continue to expand the Howard Street Farm to include 2.5-acres of growing fields, edible woodlands, fruit and nut trees, a Greenhouse, and a Welcome Center that doubles as an indoor learning space.

The Talking Farm

The Glenview Park District is a unique governing body, separate from the Village of Glenview. For nearly a century, the Park District has met the recreational and open space needs of the community through collaboration and cooperation with various governmental entities and community organizations.

The Park District is dedicated to creating a harmonious and healthy community in which everyone can appreciate the environment and experience happiness and good health each day. 

The Glenview Park District has a long history of serving the local community. Its independence from the Village of Glenview makes it a unique governing body. Through its relationships with other governmental bodies and community organizations, it has been able to meet the recreation and open space needs of the community for almost a hundred years. 

The Park District is devoted to maintaining a supportive and healthy community in which all residents can find joy and well-being, and have a deep admiration for the environment. This mission is at the heart of its purpose and drives its activities each day. 

The Glenview Park District is an integral part of the community, providing recreational opportunities and access to open spaces for the last hundred years. Its independence and collaborations with other governing bodies and organizations have enabled it to meet the needs of the community. Above all else, it seeks to create an environment of health, happiness, and respect for the environment for everyone.

Glenview Park District

The Park District and Park Foundation are collaborating to ensure that all park district residents have access to the recreational programs. To this end, assistance is provided to those facing financial hardship. This program is available to all who live in the park district boundaries and are in need of assistance. Individuals who have special medical, physical, psychological, and/or emotional needs or receive special services from the school district are also encouraged to reach out to the Park District. The staff at Lincolnway Special Recreation Association will work with the Park District to provide reasonable accommodations to participants with disabilities. Participants who would like to request inclusion services are asked to complete the appropriate forms provided by the Park District.

Water activites

Writing

Visual Arts

Yoga

Track and Field

Zumba

Manhattan Park District

At Angelic Organics Learning Center, we believe that building sustainable local food and farm systems is key to creating a better future for our children. We work in collaboration with rural and urban people to create experiential education and training programs that enable communities to foster strong partnerships between farmers and consumers. Our goal is to create a system that respects the land and honors the people who work it, provides healthy food access as a human right, celebrates the beauty and mysteries of life and the living earth, encourages self-reliance and cooperation, and is sustainable for many generations to come. With our commitment to sustainable farming practices, we hope to ensure a brighter future for our children.

Angelic Organics Learning Center Natures Farm Camp

The park system in Joliet had its start in 1899 when the City of Joliet purchased West Park (40 acres) and Highland Park (45 acres). These two parks served as the foundation for what is now the Joliet Park District.

In 1920, the district was gifted 327 acres from the late Robert Pilcher, which were purchased from Harlow Higginbotham. This land is now known as Pilcher Park and is a great addition to the park district.

The Joliet Park District has come a long way from the purchase of West Park and Highland Park in 1899, to the addition of Pilcher Park in 1920. It is now a thriving park system enjoyed by many local families.

Joliet Park District

At Culture, Arts & Music (CAM), we know just how amazing people around the world are! We strive to make sure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience and learn from all these amazing people. That’s why we take the time to bring together some incredible talent from around the country and the world. From steel bands to Trinidadian schools, Brasilian jazz trios to local artists, we’re always looking for the next way to immerse you in a diverse learning experience. 

At CAM, we’re committed to helping you benefit from the unbelievable diversity of the world. We go out of our way to bring you the most unique and interesting people from around the globe. Whether it’s steel bands, schools from Trinidad, Brasilian jazz trios, or local artists, our goal is to help you explore the world and all its amazing people. Through our immersive learning experiences, you can experience the world’s diversity from the comfort of your own home!

Vocal/singing

Culture, Arts & Music

Camp Widjiwagan, located six miles south of Springfield, is the perfect destination for your family’s next adventure! This 67-acre camp facility features a 40-foot climbing tower and zip line, three main lodges, an in-ground swimming pool, lake access for boating, platform tents, covered wagons, and an arts and crafts shack.

Parents, you can rest assured that your kids are in good hands at Camp Widjiwagan. Every activity is carefully supervised and the facility is American Camp Association (ACA) accredited. Swimming, canoeing, creative arts, outdoor living skills, archery, and environmental education are just some of the exciting programming on offer.

Make memories that will last a lifetime at Camp Widjiwagan! With its stunning location on Lake Springfield and plethora of activities, there’s something for every family member to enjoy.

Target sports

Camp Widjiwagan

Are you looking for a fun day out with the family? Look no further than the Pioneer Farm! The snow has created a stunning landscape that's perfect for a day of exploration and adventure. Plus, all the animals are looking for some extra love and attention - it's sure to be a hit with the kids! The farm is open from 9am to 3pm, so don't miss your chance to see it all! 

At the Pioneer Farm, you and your family can enjoy a day of fun and adventure. The snow has created a picture-perfect setting for exploring, and the animals are all snuggled up and waiting for some attention from the little ones. So, if you're looking for a great time, come check us out! We're open from 9am to 3pm, so don't miss your chance to see all the beauty and wonders of the Pioneer Farm.

best gardening programs in Hampshire, IL

Enjoy Pioneer Farm