Wednesday Weekend Windup {Mother's Day, Birds, Bonsai, Streetcars and More!}

Mother's Day, Birds, Bonsai, Streetcars and More Weekend Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

Spring is here and Mother's Day is this weekend! We have finally gotten here! There are plenty of great events this weekend in the Chicago suburbs. Here are my picks:
Ongoing:

• March 23 - June 2 Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory, Rockford, go early as space is limited, adults $6 (Resident), $8 (Non-Resident), senior $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), Veterans $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), ages 5-17 $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident). ages 3-4 $2 (Resident), $3 (Non-Resident), ages 2 and under free ($4 admission on Tropical Tuesdays), enjoy butterflies flying around in a tropical setting without leaving the Midwest!
• May 1-19 Lilac Time, Lombard, parades, heritage walks, wine tastings, beer tastings, concerts, kids day, botanical tour and more, see website

***Blackberry Farm is open for the season so may make for a nice outing soon! Train depot, wagon rides, pony rides, 1800's buildings including blacksmith and much more will fill the day with the littles! One of our favorites when our daughter was little.***

Friday, May 10:

• May 10-12 Northbrook On Ice, Northbrook Sports Center, ice skaters from the area program performing, various times, $14 pp, purchase tickets online
• May 10-11: Native Plant Sale at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, 11AM-7PM May 10; 9AM-2PM May 11

Saturday, May 11:

• May 11 McDonald Farm Plant Sale, Naperville, 8AM-1PM, activities for kids
• May 11 World Migratory Bird Day, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont, 9AM-2PM, take a bird hike and protect birds by cleaning up litter, free
• May 11 Annual Arts & Crafts Adventure, Hodges Park, Park Ridge, 9AM-5PM, free admission,
• May 11-12 Midwest Bonsai Society Show and Sale, Chicago Botanic Garden, 9AM-5PM, demos, workshops and more, must register for workshops, parking $30 per car
• May 11-12 Lake County Forest Preserves Native Plant Sale at Independence Grove, May 12 9AM-3PM, May 13 10AM-2PM; compost bins & rain barrels on May 12 only, the annual sale is a fundraiser for environmental educational programs and events
• May 11 Free Streetcar Rides in Kenosha, 10:30AM-6:15PM, Kenosha HarborMarket starts this Saturday 9AM-2PM
• May 11 Firefly Market, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, 10AM-3PM, local Midwest makers, $6 admission per person, kids ages 12 & under are free
• May 11 Native Plant Sale, Lake Katherine, Palos Heights, 10AM-2PM
• May 11 Organic Plant Sale and Farm Open House, Prairie Crossing Farm, Grayslake, 10AM-2PM, organic seedlings and plants for sale, meet local farmers, family fun including hayrides, live music; woodfired pizzas, lattes and more for purchase
• May 11 Free Trail Walks at Fuller Air Station, Glenview, 11AM, free guided trail walk
• May 11 Migratory Bird Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 11AM-3PM, take a bird walk, experience the perils of migration in the migration obstacle course, free
• May 11 Hike and Bike, Camp Reinberg, Palatine, 1PM, registration required
• May 11 Pet Parade and Party, Algonquin, 12PM -- Riverbottom sponsor
• May 11-12 Spring Planting, Kline Creek, West Chicago, 1:30PM-3:30PM, watch draft horses help prepare the fields and the kitchen garden be planted, free

Sunday, May 12:

• May 12 Bee-tastic Mother's Day, Heller Nature Center, Highland Park, 10AM-12PM or 1PM-3PM, learn about bees, see hives up close, make lotion bar or beeswax candle, $20 pp, must register
• May 12 Mother's Day Celebration, Volkening Heritage Farm, Schaumburg, 11AM-3PM, children are welcome to come to the visitor's center to make a craft for Mom! Free
• May 12 Sweet Treat Sunday, Naper Settlement, Naperville, tour historic buildings and enjoy free ice cream from Colonial Cafe from 2PM-3:30PM, free with admission, admission, adults 13+ $12 pp, kids $8, seniors $10, kids under 4 are free, Sunday hours 1PM-4PM
• May 12 Mother's Day Wildflower Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, 1:30PM, free

Other ideas for Mother's Day Weekend could involve checking out the flowers at Cantigny Park, Chicago Botanic Garden or Morton Arboretum. Last weekend, we noted a lot of wildflowers while hiking. So, hiking in the preserves would also be a good choice. Right now, it looks like there may be rain on Sunday so Saturday may be the better day to get out.