10 Things To Do With Your Kids This Fall In IL

Busy back-to-school schedules in the fall make it harder for Illinois parents to spend meaningful time with their children.

It’s a matter of intentionally scheduling time. From seasonal harvest festivals and kid-friendly parade to arts and crafts workshops, several upcoming events in Illinois are perfect for creating fall traditions and lasting memories with the kiddos.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Here are 10 upcoming kid-friendly events you shouldn’t miss:

Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns at Chicago Botanic Garden, happening from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 8-12, 15-19, 22-26. The annual event features 1,000 pumpkins carved by artists into intricate designs.

Fall festivals at many pumpkin patches and corn mazes within the Chicagoland area.

Scarecrow Fest in downtown St. Charles, happening Oct. 10-12. The free event features a scarecrow display, live music, dance performances, and appearances from the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

Children's Fall Art Workshop at HeARTs Studio in Winnetka, happening Oct. 19 and Oct. 25. Kids ages 4-9 can embark on a mystery fall art adventure with art teacher Lisa Siebert.

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo, happening through Oct. 26. The free event features pumpkin picking, s'mores roasting, a Ferris wheel, performers, fall-themed animal enrichment and more.

Arts in the Dark, happening from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18 on State Street in the Chicago Loop. The 11th annual parade that "reflects the full spectrum of Chicago's arts and cultural scene."

Boo Brunch at Brookfield Zoo, happening from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 19. Zoo admission is included in the ticket, and children will receive a pumpkin to decorate at a painting station.

Underground MISadventure, through Nov. 2 at the Field Museum. The Halloween exhibition is filled with giant animatronic bugs and spiderwebs.

Halloween Origami Workshop, happening 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Japanese Cultural Center. Guests will learn to fold pumpkins, ghosts and other spooky season favorites during this workshop.

Upside Down Halloween Parade, happening from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Washington Park, near Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. This Saturday, children can take part in the parade by donning costumes and proceeding down Russell Drive, joining dance teams, musicians, acrobats and sports mascots.