Fullersburg Woods Nature Center in Oakbrook, IL

Summer is coming up fast, and many parents and caregivers are starting to arm themselves with lists of activities and enrichment classes to keep their kids busy. When coming up with things to do, we mustn't underestimate the importance of nature! Research shows that spending time in nature has a calming effect on children, promotes positive feelings, and encourages children to stay physically active.

For families in DuPage, Fullersburg Wood Nature Center is a great resource. Located at 3609 Spring Road (off of York) in Oak Brook, Fullersburg Woods offers a plethora of nature trails. Let your little ones choose a trail, and allow them to lead the way! Be prepared to stop often while they look at and touch things that interest them. Kids will love stopping on the wooden bridge and looking down into the water for fish, trying to spot chipmunks, squirrels and other animals, and trying their hands at the water pump. For more hiking activity ideas, ask inside the nature center about checking out a free nature backpack!

If you have fishing poles and a fishing license, you can even try fishing in Salt Creek, which runs through Fullersburg Woods. There is also lots of room for picnicking.

When your little crew is exhausted from hiking, or when the weather isn't great, don't worry! There's even more to explore inside the nature center! The nature center will remind you of a log cabin, with comfy seating and dimly lit lamps. For kids, there are nature-based activities everywhere... a corner with plenty of books about nature, another corner with stuffed animals and wooden blocks, a corner where kids can look out the window with binoculars and try to spot birds, a giant floor puzzle, etc. There are even some live reptiles and insects for kids to observe!

But there are two things that are sure to be the favorites of most kids. One is the giant wooly mammoth skeleton. The other is the bird's nest tree house that kids can climb into and play in!

As for adults, be sure to bring a book so you can sit back and relax for a while... or bring your laptop, because the nature center has free wifi!

Whether it's a bright sunny day or a gloomy, rainy one, the Fullersburg Nature Center is the perfect place to head to when you and your kids are in the mood to explore nature!