Looking for fun, educational outdoor adventures for your family? Nature centers are hidden gems that combine the beauty of the outdoors with hands-on learning experiences perfect for kids of all ages. Whether your child loves spotting wildlife, exploring trails or getting messy with science experiments, Chicagoland’s nature centers offer something for everyone.
These local spots provide year-round opportunities to hike, play, and learn — all while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Keep reading to find the best nature centers for kids in the Chicago area, where your next family adventure is waiting just outside the city.
Read more: You Won’t Believe These Epic Playgrounds in Chicagoland
Kid-friendly nature centers in Chicagoland
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
- Address: 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook
Explore trails at Fullersburg Woods, then visit Graue Mill, an Underground Railroad site and working gristmill. Nearby, see a waterfall. At McKee Marsh in Warrenville, check out a 13,000-year-old woolly mammoth skeleton.
Knoch Knolls Nature Center
- Address: 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville
Kids will love the age-specific playground, nearby hiking and biking trails and 18-hole disc golf course. Inside, explore exhibits on the DuPage River’s history, local wildlife and a 900-gallon fish tank—plus turtles in the pond!
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
- Address: 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights
Stroll the 1-mile trail with fun stops like nature play areas, a spider maze and the Children’s Forest. Explore gardens, spot the waterfall and access the Cal Sag Trail for biking. Perfect for little adventurers!
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
- Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
Explore local geology, live animals, and nature-themed play areas indoors and out. Visit the 1886 schoolhouse, hike trails from 0.4 to 1.3 miles, and join themed walks and workshops that make learning about nature fun for kids.
North Park Village Nature Center
- Address: 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago
Escape the city at North Park Village Nature Center’s 46 acres of woodland, wetland, prairie and savanna. Kids can explore hands-on exhibits like animal bones and the friendly staff is always ready to answer questions.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
There’s tons to explore! Little ones love Hands-on Habitat, the treehouse, and the outdoor trail with prairie plants. Don’t miss daily programs like story times, animal encounters and butterfly releases in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven.
Red Oak Nature Center
- Address: 2343 S. River St., Batavia
Visit Red Oak Nature Center to see more than 45 native animals and a 500-gallon turtle tank. Enjoy hands-on seasonal exhibits, hike five scenic trails—including one to Chicagoland’s only cave—and stop by the nature playground or boardwalk at nearby Lippold Park.
The Grove’s Interpretive Center
- Address: 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Explore The Grove’s updated Interpretive Center, blending 19th-century charm with interactive exhibits. See a 1,600-gallon native fish aquarium, a giant ground sloth skeleton and learn about naturalist Robert Kennicott. Enjoy nature and history programs through the Glenview Park District.
Spring Valley Nature Center
- Address: 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg
Spring Valley’s 135 acres include forests, streams, and the 1880s Volkening Heritage Farm, where kids can meet animals and help with chores. Enjoy three miles of accessible trails and seasonal programs at the historic log cabin, also available for private rentals.
This article was recently updated on March 31, 2025 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
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