Ballard Nature Center

Family Campfire Night
2025-09-26 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Pumpkin fun – interactive story, pumpkin hunt & games, and marshmallow roasting. Pre-register.

Spooky Night
2025-10-04

Fall Fun
2025-10-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
We will paint a fall picture, roast hot dogs & marshmallows, take a hike, and discuss what is happening in nature during the fall season. For kids ages 8-10.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt
2025-10-18 12:00 - 16:00
Come enjoy an October afternoon with us! Stop by the office to get your scavenger hunt sheet and then take to the trails in search of fall & Halloween items. Open to all, come & go any time during regular nature center hours. No fee or registration required.

Walking with Llamas
2025-11-02 13:00 - 14:30
Join some 4H kids and their llamas for a walk on the trail. There will also be some yard games and we’ll have the “nature train” running. No fee or registration required. For all ages.

Annual Fundraising Banquet
2025-11-08 17:30

Girl Scout Program
2025-11-15 14:00 - 16:00

Stargazing
2025-11-15 18:00 - 20:00
Join Randy Harrison for a night under the stars. Learn about constellations and more. Come and go – no registration needed.

Thanksgiving Fun
2025-11-28 12:00 - 15:00
Come out for some Thanksgiving-themed activities: scavenger hunt, craft, and games. There will be a book reading (Turkey Trouble) at 1pm and 2pm. Come and go program. No fee.

Holly Jolly Fun
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00
Have some holiday fun at BNC! Make a holiday themed craft & play some fun games. Trail activity available as well. Come & go as you like any time from 10am-12pm. All activities will be upstairs. No fee or registration required. Family program.

Fun with Otters
2025-12-30 09:00 - 11:30
Come learn about otters and paint a picture of one. For kids ages 7-10. $15. Pre-register by Dec. 27 via phone, email, or direct facebook message.

Birds & Beans
2026-01-29 09:00
Enjoy coffee & donut holes as you learn about our winter birds. Also included is a fun bird bingo game to test our identification skills. Pre-register by phone or email. Adult program. No fee, donation accepted.

Valentine Program
2026-02-14 13:00 - 15:00
Valentine’s Day is a great time to explore our feelings toward wildlife. Why do rabbits & butterflies elicit positive reactions from most people while spiders & snakes do not? With games & a special trail activity, you will learn that all animals are special, even if you wouldn’t want to hug some of them. A book reading at 2pm.
Family program. No registration required, a come-&-go program. No fee.

Hoot Hike
2026-02-27 18:30
Come learn about our local owls, make an owl lantern, and then us the lantern on a trail hike. For all ages. No fee. Registration required via phone, email, or private facebook message.

Night at the Races
2026-03-07 17:30

Legendary Creatures
2026-03-14 13:00 - 14:00
Have you ever wondered whooo inspired a ghost story? Join a naturalist from the World Bird Sanctuary for a program all about the ways animals inspire myths and legends across the globe. Presentation includes live birds! For all ages. Registration required: email, phone, or facebook message.

UKC Shed Dog event
2026-03-20 08:00 - 2026-03-22 15:00
The United Kennel Club is holding the Elite Shed Dog Nationals. Some of the trails will be closed to the public during this event. This is a competition in which dogs search for placed deer antlers. The public can come watch, but please abide by the signage for trail closures.

Craft & Learn
2026-03-24

Golden Egg Hunt
2026-04-03 13:00 - 14:30

Welcome Spring Birds
2026-04-14 10:00 - 11:00
Migratory birds are returning! During this program we will learn about them, tips to identify them, and how to attract some to your yard. Included is a fun bingo game to test your new identification skills and an optional bird watching walk on the trail. Pre-register via phone, email, or a facebook dm. No fee. Adult program.

Homeschool Class
2026-04-15 13:00 - 15:00
For students ages 9-12. $5 fee. Register by April 10 via phone or email.

Dive into pond life studies:
Use nets to catch creatures from the pond.
Use microscopes to observe pond life.
Assemble pond ecosystem food webs.
Learn about aquatic animal adaptations.

World Bird Sanctuary
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:00
Come enjoy a presentation that includes live birds. For all ages. No fee. Registration required via email or phone.

Summer Camp Registration
2026-04-28
Registration begins for our kids’ summer camps. See complete schedule on the summer camp page.

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.
