For families

Nature Nights Basics

Spend an evening in the Garden along with family and friends exploring while actively taking part in a variety of engaging discovery-based activities. Each Nature Nights also includes a short tram ride, planting a take-home plant and enjoying s'mores making over an open fire at the Children's Garden to conclude the evening. Programs are scheduled every second Saturday June through October, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Age Limits

Programs are accessible at multiple levels for children between ages 4 and 10 accompanied by an adult.

Attire

Please come dressed for the weather. Every program night will include outdoor time. Wear clothes that are comfortable for outdoor activities and hands-on (sometime messy) fun.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration up to one week before the program date for a $5 administrative handling fee, per child, per class. You may transfer your registration into another Nature Nights class up to one week prior to the date of the class, one time only at no additional cost, per child, per class. Transfers within the week of the class incur a $5 fee. To cancel or transfer, please call (847) 835-6801. We are not able to give refunds for cancellations with less than one week’s notice. If you are unable to attend due to medical reasons, you may receive a refund (minus a $5 handling fee) by providing a doctor’s note. Programs cancelled by the Garden due to low enrollment, inclement weather, or Garden closure will automatically be fully refunded. You’ll be notified of a cancellation 24 hours prior to the start of the program. Should this occur, you may opt to reschedule to another Nature Nights program.

Class Location

Depends on program: Check- in at Center for Teaching and Learning.

Confirmation Letters

All communications, including confirmation, will be sent via e-mail. Please provide a valid e-mail address and add registrar@chicagobotanic.org to your safe senders list in order to guarantee receipt. Confirmation letters for registrations not containing an e-mail address will be mailed approximately two business days after your registration is received. Please bring it with you the day of your program. To receive free parking, please present the letter upon arrival at the Gatehouse.

Enrollment Limits

Each program has space for a maximum of 12 children accompanied by adults. Classes will be cancelled unless the minimum enrollment of five children is met (see Cancellation Policy for more information). A maximum of three children per adult are allowed.

Picnic Dinner

Please bring a picnic dinner with you. Time will be provided to picnic in the Children's Garden at the beginning of each Nature Night. We will provide a simple dessert at the conclusion of each program.

Registration

Registration and prepayment are required for all programs. Registrations are taken by mail, fax or online only (sorry, no phone registration). Registration and payment must be received no later than one week prior to the date of the program. Click here to download a printable registration form.

Mail registrations to Chicago Botanic Garden, Nature Nights Registrar, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022. Checks or credit cards are accepted as payment. You will receive a confirmation/receipt letter via e-mail or mail.

Fax registrations to (847) 242-6330. Credit card payment is required for faxed registration. You will receive a confirmation/receipt letter via e-mail or mail.

Online registration: Credit card payment is required for online registration. The acknowledgement you receive via email immediately after registering online does not guarantee a reservation. You will receive a confirmation/receipt letter via e-mail or mail. (See Confirmation Letters above.)

Questions

For registration questions or to confirm program availability, call (847) 835-6801. For questions regarding program content, call (847) 835-6826.