Ballard Nature Center

Pond Dragons
2025-06-26 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
We’ll explore the pond, including dipping with nets, and learn about dragonflies. Recommended to bring a pair of rubber boots or shoes that can get wet/muddy.
Kids ages 7-10
Ticket Cost: $15

Fluttering Butterflies
2025-07-01 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Search for & learn about these beauties
Kids ages 5-6
Two Class Times:
9:00 am – 10:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $10

Fantastic Foxes
2025-07-02 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
About foxes near and far
Kids ages 6-8
Two Class Times:
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ticket Cost: $12

Junior Explorers
2025-07-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Learn about orienteering & maps, then navigate through Ballard Nature Center
Kids ages 10-13
Ticket Cost: $12

Bugs & Blooms
2025-07-09 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Learn about orienteering & maps, then navigate through Ballard Nature Center
Bring a picnic lunch
Kids ages 7-10
Ticket Cost: $15

Night Life
2025-07-16 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-17 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-18 09:00 - 11:30 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Constellations and Nocturnal Animals come to life in our darkened classroom
Kids ages 7-10
Ticket Cost: $15

Fun in the Sun
2025-07-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
We’ll craft & hang out in nature – includes ice cream & yard games
Kids ages 7-11
Ticket Cost: $15

Paint an Owl
2025-07-29 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Come paint an owl with us
Kids ages 8-12
Two Class Times:
10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $18

Paint an Owl
2025-07-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Come paint an owl with us
Kids ages 8-12
Ticket Cost: $18

Slithering Snakes
2025-07-31 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Snakes aren’t so scary, come see why
Kids ages 6-8
Two Class Times:
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ticket Cost: $12

Forest Friends
2025-08-05 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
All about forests and the animals that call them home
Kids ages 5-6
Two Class Times:
9:00 am – 10:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $10

Nature Sense
2025-08-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Learn about sights, sounds, & smells in nature
Kids ages 7-9
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Ticket Cost: $12

Winged Things
2026-06-02 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Birds, bats, and insects will be studied. We’ll even catch insects to examine up close.

Winged Things
2026-06-03 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Birds, bats, and insects will be studied. We’ll even catch insects for close up viewing.

Awesome Ants
2026-06-04 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-06-04 13:00 - 14:30
For kids ages 5-6 years old. They may be small, but they are mighty! Learn all about these interesting insects.

Ponds & Fish
2026-06-09 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-10 09:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-11 09:00 - 11:30
For kids ages 7-10. We’ll use nets to explore pond life up close and learn more about fish. Bring a pair of rubber boots or shoes that can get muddy/wet.

Dive into Pond Life
2026-06-12 09:00 - 10:30
For kids ages 10-12 years old. Catch creatures from the pond, use microscopes to observe them, and learn about aquatic food webs.

Colorful Chameleons
2026-06-16 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-06-16 13:00 - 14:30
For kids ages 5-6 years old. Learn about these fascinating reptiles and what colors they can turn and why.

Animal Engineers
2026-06-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-18 09:00 - 11:00
For kids ages 9-12 years old. Which animals are the best architects? We’ll have our own building challenge!

Secret Life of Bobcats
2026-06-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-23 13:00 - 15:00
For kids ages 6-8 years old. Learn about the elusive bobcat and its relatives.
