Wednesday Weekend Windup {Trains, Frogs, Chocolate & More}

Frogs invade the Morton Arboretum! Image via Morton Arboretum

With such gloomy weather outside, we need some inspiration for the weekend! Here are my family fun picks for the weekend. With the weather being so up-and-down, be sure to make sure outdoor events are not canceled.
Ongoing:

• March 19-May 15 Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens' tropical conservatory is aflutter with butterflies! A special emergence area allows visitors to witness the butterfly life cycle as butterflies emerge from their chrysalises. Enjoy a peaceful stroll among the butterflies admiring the conservatories water features and sculptures. Adults $6 residents/$8 non, Seniors, Veterans and ages 5-18 $4/$6, ages 3-4 $1/$2, age 2 and under are free.
• April 8-September 25 Ribbit! The Exhibit, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, 23 larger-than-life copper frog sculptures of frogs performing different activities throughout the arboretum, free with admission, $14 Adults ages 18–64, $12 Seniors ages 65+ , $9 Youth ages 2–17 (discounted admission on Wednesdays)

Saturday, April 9:

• April 9  Rookery Watch, Almond Marsh, Grayslake, 8AM-12PM, join Lake County Audubon volunteers watching nests of heron, cormorants and more waterfowl, light refreshments and spotting scope provided, free
• April 9 Passport to Safety and Big Wheely Trucks, Lincoln Center, Downers Grove, 10AM-12PM, learn safety tips from safety personnel, receive a passport to stamp as you learn; touch, see and feel big trucks, free!
• April 9 Chocolate Candy Drop-in Day, Volkening Heritage Farm, 10AM-12PM, drop in to make your own chocolate candy creation, then visit the farmhouse to learn about chocolate in the 19th century, $2 pp
• April 9 HOLI-The Festival of Colors, Naperville, Grand Pavilion, Riverwalk, 11AM-4PM, announce the arrival of spring by throwing colored powder, throw away your worries, music, food, vendors, admission is free, bags of powder are $2, outside colors are prohibited, bags of safe, no stain dry colors distributed (I probably would still wear something not important to you.)
• April 9 Super Saturday: Fairy Tale Forest, Mt. Prospect Public Library, 11AM-11:45AM, interactive puppet show with a hilarious take on favorite fairy tales, free but must register
• April 9 A Garden of Diversity: Our Multicultural Heritage, Community Recreation Center, Schaumburg, 11:30AM-2:30PM, professional and student entertainment reflecting various heritages, crafts and food, free admission
• April 9 Sunset Fire and Picnic on the Prairie, Spring Valley Nature Center, 6PM-8:30PM, bring a picnic or purchase grilled foods, listen to a presentation and witness a prairie burning as the sun goes down, $3 pp and $12 per family, **be sure to check before going, may get cancelled due to weather**

Sunday, April 10

• April 10 Great Midwest Train Show, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton, 9AM-3PM, exhibitors, model railroads to view, trains for kids to run, $7/adult, kids under 12 are free
• April 10 Bare Bones, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 1PM, learn what bones and skulls reveal about an animal, free
• April 10 Animal Evidence, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, 1:30PM, hike trails looking for evidence if animals, free