Wildwood Program Center

Wildwood Program Center

Nature Programs

Wildwood Program Center hosts our scheduled nature classes, birthday parties, scout programs, school groups, and camps. We offer a variety of nature and environmental programs for ages 1 and older, as well as family events.

Location

529 Forestview Ave.
Park Ridge, Illinois

Phone

847-692-3570

Early Childhood Nature Programs

4160202 / Science Kids

Explore the fascinating world of science. Uncover science wonders with fun hands-on experiments, observations, games, crafts, and outdoor hikes.
4160202-1 - Science Kids
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
6/9/2017 - 6/30/2017
3:45 pm - 5:15 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
4160202-2 - Science Kids
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
7/7/2017 - 7/28/2017
3:45 pm - 5:15 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

4160210 / Party w/ the Animals

Dress in your favorite PJs and head over to Wildwood to spend someone-on-one time with our animal friends. Venture into the animal room to see them preparing for bedtime. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and activities as we discover what animals do at night.
4160210-1 - Pajama Party with the Animals
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
6/16/2017 - 6/16/2017
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

5160101 / Wild Ones

Spark the natural curiosity in your “Wild One” as we take in the wonders of the outdoors. Inside our classroom, we'll discover leaves, pumpkins, seeds, and other autumn surprises with sensory play and exploration, stories, and themed activities. Then we'll head out for a nature walk around the pond and prairie, and over to visit the animals in the Nature Center. Dress for a mess. No class November 11, 25 and 26.
5160101-5 - Wild Ones
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Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
10/21/2024 - 12/2/2024
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1-2 w/Adult
5160101-6 - Wild Ones
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Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
10/21/2024 - 12/2/2024
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1-2 w/Adult
5160101-7 - Wild Ones
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Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
10/21/2024 - 12/2/2024
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1-2 w/Adult
5160101-8 - Wild Ones
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
10/22/2024 - 11/19/2024
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1-2 w/Adult

5160103 / Desert Dwellers

The hot sun may bake the sand, but many critters still live in this wild land! Learn about the desert and the creatures that live there through stories, animal crafts, short hikes, and many fun activities. Featuring hump-backed camels, stinging scorpions, and more! No class Nov 28 or 29.
5160103-11 - Desert Dwellers
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Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
11/14/2024 - 12/12/2024
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
2-3y w/Adult
5160103-12 - Desert Dwellers
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Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
11/15/2024 - 12/13/2024
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
2-3y w/Adult
5160103-13 - Desert Dwellers
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Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
11/15/2024 - 12/13/2024
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
2-3y w/Adult

5160201 / Nature Friends

Experience the wonders of animals, plants, and the outdoors with fun games, crafts, experiments, and activities. We are all about hands-on learning and discovery and venture outside for nature hikes. Different topics each session. No class Oct 14 or Nov 25.
5160201-1 - Nature Friends Monday AM (Full Semester)
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Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/9/2024 - 12/16/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3-6y w/o Adult
5160201-3 - Nature Friends Monday AM Session 2
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Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
11/4/2024 - 12/16/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3-6y w/o Adult
5160201-11 - Nature Friends Monday PM (Full Semester)
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/9/2024 - 12/16/2024
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3-6y w/o Adult
5160201-13 - Nature Friends Monday PM Session 2
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
11/4/2024 - 12/16/2024
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3-6y w/o Adult

Youth Nature Programs

5160407 / Rangers in Training

Interested in being a ranger at Wildwood? Get a hands-on taste of what it’s like to be a Wildwood ranger. Learn how to clean, feed, and care for the animals during this fun training session. No class November 29.
5160407-5 - Rangers in Training
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Availability
Full
Res/NonRes
11/15/2024 - 12/13/2024
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 10-14

5160417 / Adventure Club

Calling together the Adventure Club – come join Wildwood’s naturalists for weekly outdoor excursions. Explore the prairie looking for creatures big and small, grab a net to find bugs in the long grass or in the water, hike the Des Plaines River trail, and discover nature through experiments, projects, and exploration. The majority of the class takes place outdoors. No class November 22nd.
5160417-2 - Adventure Club
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
10/23/2024 - 11/20/2024
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 5-11

5160419 / Work It

Use pulleys, wheels, axles, and levers to create fun machines. Test a stomp catapult and see where the load and fulcrum must be to achieve maximum flight. Use pulleys to design a cable car transport system and design and test a marble roller coaster!
5160419-1 - Work It
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
10/22/2024 - 11/19/2024
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 6-12
Prev 1 2

Family Nature Events

1160503 / Science Night

Turn your family into scientists and explore fun science concepts with us! Make cool discoveries through experiments, projects, and play. Different activities each month. Please register only one member of your family. January: CSI Science - Examine fingerprints, analyze chemicals, and follow the clues to have some forensics fun! February: Bath Bomb Explosions - design and dissolve bath bombs as you explore what makes them fizz and foam.
1160503-3 - Science Night: CSI Science
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
1/20/2025 - 1/20/2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1160503-4 - Science Night: CSI Science
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
1/20/2025 - 1/20/2025
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1160503-5 - Science Night: Bath Bomb Explosions
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
2/17/2025 - 2/17/2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
1160503-6 - Science Night: Bath Bomb Explosions
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
2/17/2025 - 2/17/2025
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

4160501 / Playdate with Nature

Join us on a Playdate with Nature. The family will enjoy games, crafts, and educational activities based around the seasonal nature theme of the day. Program is free, but registration is required.
4160501-1 - Playdate with Nature
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
7/8/2017 - 7/8/2017
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
4160501-2 - Playdate with Nature
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
8/5/2017 - 8/5/2017
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

4160502 / S'more Stories and Songs

The entire family will enjoy the peaceful night air while sitting around a fire listening to stories, singing songs, and making everyone’s favorite - s’mores! Enjoy a night hike around the pond. Flashlights are not needed, but feel free to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Fee is per family.
4160502-1 - Family Campfire
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
7/21/2017 - 7/21/2017
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
4160502-2 - Family Campfire
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Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
8/11/2017 - 8/11/2017
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

4160503 / Science Night

Turn your family into scientists and explore fun science concepts with us! Make cool discoveries through experiments, projects, and play. Different activities each class.
4160503-1 - Science Night
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
6/14/2017 - 6/14/2017
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
4160503-2 - Science Night
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
7/27/2017 - 7/27/2017
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages

4160505 / Pond Dippers

Have fun as a family discovering what lurks beneath the surface of the pond. Dip and scoop with nets to catch lots of critters and maybe a few tadpoles! Learn all about life in the pond.
4160505-1 - Pond Dippers
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
6/7/2017 - 6/7/2017
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
4160505-2 - Pond Dippers
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
7/19/2017 - 7/19/2017
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
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