Crabtree Nature Center: A Fun Place to Explore the Great Outdoors Near Chicago by Mike Prochaska

My family has been working on the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge. The kids and I went to a great place outside that’s away from it all in the Chicago suburbs: Crabtree Nature Center. This center is a fun place to take kids to explore nature and feel like you are out of the hustle and bustle of it all. It has 1,182 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairie.

What we love about Crabtree Nature Center is that not only is it a nature center with lots of animals, but they have a small outdoor play area in the woods for kids. There’s also a table that has an art project on it. Every time we come, my daughter has to make her way to the art table before she will go exploring.

Once outside, there are lots of trails around the park. Bird watchers can stroll through the trails to view birds along the way or stop at the blind to view the birds. My kids love using the binoculars in the blind to try and find the birds.

Walk further down the path and there is a kid’s nature playground where they can build forts with sticks and look for frogs in the pond. There’s also a water pump. My kids love trying to pump out the water. (It's hard to do!) The best part about this place is just watching the children explore nature on their own. They always find something awesome!

Crabtree Nature Center is located at 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills, Illinois, 60010. For more information call 847-381-6592.

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