Ballard Nature Center

Camouflage Critters
2025-03-03 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Look at examples of different camouflage, do a fun craft, and trail activity. Family program. Come and go at your convenience. No registration need. No fee.

Paint Class
2025-03-13 10:00
Come paint a butterfly and learn about the common butterflies of Ballard Nature Center. For adults of all ages. $5 fee. Register via email, phone, or facebook message.

Owls, Hiding in Plain Sight
2025-03-15 13:00
Mark H.X. Glenshaw is an award-winning naturalist who has closely observed and documented the lives of Great-Horned Owls in Forest Park, a large urban park in St. Louis, since December 2005. Mark’s talk will cover how he found these owls & basic facts about the species. He uses his photos and videos to illustrate the amazing behaviors of these beautiful birds. Open to all ages. Popcorn provided. No fee.
For registration: email ballardnc@frontiernet.net, Facebook message us, or call 618-483-6856.

UKC Shed Dog Nationals
2025-03-28 - 2025-03-30
Dogs will compete in finding deer antlers. Visit the UKC website for more information.
The general public is welcome to watch, but please follow the UKC rules. Some trails will be closed to the public.

Sounds of Spring
2025-04-11 18:00 - 19:00
Come learn about the animals who make their voices heard in the spring! We’ll have a sweet book, play fun games, and go on a trail walk to enjoy nature in spring. Register via email, phone, or facebook message. No fee. Family program.

Mushroom Story Trail
2025-04-17 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-18 09:00 - 15:00
Read a story, learn about mushrooms, and do activities while walking our special self-guided trail.

Shed Hunt
2025-04-26 09:00
Whitetails Unlimited is hosting their annual shed hunt. Kids search for antlers, a bit like an Easter egg hunt. Open to all ages. No fee. No registration required.

Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk
2025-04-26 13:00
Spring is here! That means some of our most beautiful wildflowers are in bloom–but not for long. Join IL Extension Horticulture Educator Sreelakshmi Suresh on a leisurely hike through the woods of Ballard to learn about and see some of our native Illinois wildflowers. No fee. Open to all ages.

Star Gazing
2025-05-03 20:00 - 21:30
Join Randy Harrison for a night under the stars. He will help you view constellations, planets, and more. No registration required & no fee. Program is for all ages.

Weather Wonders
2025-05-29 10:00
April showers bring May flowers! We’ll talk about the weather & how it affects nature. Enjoy a fun activity and hike as well. Family program.
To register: email us ballardnc@frontiernet.net, call us 618-483-6856, or send a private message on Facebook. Once you have registered, if you find that you cannot attend, please let us know since program size is limited.

Busy Beavers
2025-06-03 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Learn all about beavers & their relatives
Kids ages 5-6
Two camp times-
9:00 am – 10:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ticket cost- $10

Fossil Hunters
2025-06-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Bringing the past to the present as we look at prehistoric animals & do fun activities
Kids ages 9-11
Ticket Cost: $12

Trivia Trail
2025-06-10 09:00 - 2025-06-17 16:00
Test your wildlife knowledge as you walk the Ridgetop Trail! Grab an answer sheet & answer the questions posted along the trail. Turn in your paper at the visitor center or place in the frog donation box with your name and phone number for a chance to win a prize. One entry per person. Open to all ages.

Sticks & Mud
2025-06-11 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Lots of fun in nature playing games and crafting using sticks & mud/clay
Kids ages 6-9
Ticket Cost: $12

Colorful Birds
2025-06-13 10:00
A story, How the Birds Got Their Colors, with related activities, craft, & trail walk. Family program.
Registration begins 2 weeks prior to the program date. To register: email us ballardnc@frontiernet.net, call us 618-483-6856, or send a private message on Facebook. Once you have registered, if you find that you cannot attend, please let us know since program size is limited.

Aqua Olympics
2025-06-16 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
We’ll play fun water games & cool down with popsicles
Bring a towel
Kids ages 7-9
Ticket Cost: $12

Wood Craft
2025-06-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Make a craft featuring a fox, owl, & raccoon then learn about these animals
Bring a picnic lunch
Kids ages 8-12
Ticket Cost: $15

Tapping Woodpeckers
2025-06-19 | Ballard Nature Center, 5253 E US Highway 40, Altamont, IL, 62411, US
Learn just how amazing woodpeckers are
Kids ages 5-6
Two Class Times:
9:00 am – 10:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $10

Pollinator BioBlitz
2025-06-20 10:00 - 16:00
Drop-in participation from 10am-4pm. Pollinator presentations at 10am and 2pm. No registration required. No fee.

Pond Dragons
2025-06-24 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-25 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-26 09:00 - 11:30 | 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
