Ballard Nature Center

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

Fun in the Sun
2025-07-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-23 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Awesome Possums
2025-07-22 10:00
Love ‘em or not, opossums are really unique creatures! A hilarious book, games, & trail activity are part of this 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.

Night Life
2025-07-18 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-17 09:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-16 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

Fabulous Flowers
2025-07-14 10:00
Come learn about flowers & why they matter! We’ll read The Tiny Seed and have activities, along with taking a walk.
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.

Bugs & Blooms
2025-07-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Aqua Olympics
2025-06-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-16 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

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.

Sticks & Mud
2025-06-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-11 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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.
