Where to go and what to do in the South Suburbs

Big Run Wolf Ranch
14857 Farrell Road, Lockport
(815) 588-0044
bigrunwolfranch.org

Family Day Open House 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 27. Enjoy wildlife lectures, visits with the animals and tours. $3.

The Children’s Farm at The Center
12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park
(708) 361-3650
thecenterpalos.org

Summerfest Green Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6. Featuring horse rides, hayrides, live music, crafts and games. $4, $2 kids.

The Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn
9600 E. Shore Drive, Oak Lawn
(708) 423-6709
cmoaklawn.org

All Day Art June 4-6. Homemade Clay activity June 10-12. Make a Father’s Day Card June 17-19. Fairy Project June 24-26. Events are recommended for kids 2-10.

Downtown Lockport
(815) 838-3357
lockportcanaldays.com

Old Canal Days June 19-21. Event kicks off with a parade at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and continues throughout the weekend with a carnival, family stage, entertainment, petting zoo and food. Visit Web site for schedule. Free.

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center
2453 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields
(708) 481-2330
ironsoaks.com

National Trail Day for Kids 9:30 a.m.-noon June 6. Featuring hikes, games and activities. Kids 8 and up. Registration required. $9, $6 kids.

Isle a la Cache Museum
501 E. 135th St. (Romeo Road), Romeoville
(815) 886-1467
fpdwc.org

Island Rendezvous 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 13 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 14. Features voyageur and Native American re-enactors, a voyageur encampment, canoe race and rides and falconry demonstrations. Free.

Joliet Park District
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
201 W. Jefferson Joliet
(815) 724-3760
bicentennialpark.org

Wizard of Oz 7 p.m. June 26-27. Outdoor performance features the beloved tale with a twist. Visit Web site for information. $6, $4, free kids 3 and under.

Joliet Park District
Joliet Memorial Stadium
3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
(815) 741-PARK (7275)
jolietpark.org

Taste of Joliet noon-11 p.m. June 26-27 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 28. Family activities, inflatables, entertainment, car show and food. $10 Friday (free before 3 p.m.), $10 Saturday and $5 Sunday. Free kids 11 and under all weekend.

Joliet Park District
Multi-Purpose Center
3000 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
(815) 741-PARK (7275)
jolietpark.org

Fossils and Bones 1-3 p.m. June 26. Kids 3-5 will learn about dinosaurs when they visit an excavation site. Registration required. $10.

Kankakee River State Park
5314 W. Route 102, Bourbonnais
(815) 933-1383
dnr.state.il.us

Guided Hike 10 a.m. June 6. Walk lasts about 1 1/2 hours. Meet at Visitor Center. Free. Father’s Day Program 11 a.m. June 20. Build a bird feeder and have lunch over the fire. Free.

Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights
(708) 361-1873
lakekatherine.org

Family Star Gazing 9 p.m. June 27. Program includes astronomy project and outdoor viewing. Donations requested.

Lions Community Center
1 W. Manor Drive, New Lenox
(815) 485-3584
newlenoxparks.org

Under the Big Top 2:30-3:30 p.m. June 23. Make a clown hat, pretend to be an elephant and eat popcorn. Kids 3-6. Registration required. $9.

Monee Reservoir
Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and south of Pauling Road, Monee
(815) 727-8700
fpdwc.org/monee.cfm

Midnight Madness 7 p.m.-midnight June 20. Fish until midnight. Concession stand will be open for snacks and bait. Free.

Pilcher Park Nature Center
2501 Highland Park Drive Joliet
(815) 741-7277
jolietpark.org

Bat Detectives 8-9:30 p.m. June 18. Families can investigate the myths and facts about bats and enjoy a night hike. Wear long sleeves, pants and insect repellent. Registration required. $6.

Plainfield Park District
Renwick Community Park
Renwick Road just west of Route 59
(815) 436-8812
plainfieldparkdistrict.com

Fishing Derby 8:30-10:30 a.m. June 6. Kids 3-13 will be divided into three age divisions and awards will be given. Held at Boy Scout Park. Registration required. $12, $8 resident.

Plum Creek Nature Center
Goodenow Grove Forest Preserve Beecher
1.25 miles east of the intersection of Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road
(815) 727-8700
fpdwc.org/plumcreek.cfm

Animal Safari—Raptors 6 p.m. June 26. Program focuses on Illinois raptors. A hawk will be on hand. Registration required. Free.

Sand Ridge Nature Center
15890 Paxton Ave., South Holland
(708) 868-0606
fpdcc.com

Father’s Day Summer Solstice Hike 1:30 p.m. June 21. Enjoy a nature walk with a naturalist. Free.

 

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