Nature Trails and Bunny Tails Bring Joy to the Weekend

The beauty of nature and the joy of Easter come alive this weekend.

Earth Day activities at Open Lands and Independence Grove will show you how to become one with nature while rediscovering the fun activities you used to do as a child, like climbing trees!

Don’t miss the Easter Bunny as he hops on over to the Lake Bluff Recreation Center for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. After the egg hunt, you and the family can hop over to the shopping district in Lake Forest to search for prizes and register to win the ultimate grand prize Easter basket.

Happy Earth Day and Happy Easter!

Family Best Bets Of The Week

“The Play Out”

 http://www.lfola.org/default.aspx

• Where/When: Open Lands’ Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday (April 23).
• Why Go:  Turn off the television and computer, parents, this is your chance to promote the wonderful world of outdoor play to your kids. In the spirit of Earth Week, make a pledge to spend 150 minutes enjoying nature with a day of outdoor experiences. Have fun playing on a natural obstacle course, learn about shelter building and pond netting, and climb some trees! Snacks provided by Whole Foods-Deerfield, and nature books will be available for purchase thanks to Lake Forest Bookstore. Click on the above link to make your 150 minute family pledge.
• Pricing: Free, appropriate for ages 3-13.

Walking Softly on the Earth at Independence Grove

 http://www.lcfpd.org/

• Where/When: Independence Grove in Libertyville, 10 a.m. to noon Friday (April 23).
• Why Go: Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and treat every day as Earth Day. Participate in a lake clean-up service project. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts can earn the Cub Scout Leave No Trace Awareness Award. Wear clothing and shoes that can get wet.
• Pricing: Free, all ages.

Easter Egg Hunt

 http://www.lakebluffparks.org/

• Where/When: Lake Bluff Recreation Center, 9 a.m. Saturday (April 23).
• Why Go:  Don’t miss Peter Cottontail hoppin down the egg hunt trail!  Bring your basket, find the golden eggs, and win prizes.
• Pricing:  Free.

Hop the Shops in Lake Forest

 http://www.lflbchamber.com/build1/index.cfm

• Where/When: Lake Forest Shopping District, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (April 23).
• Why Go: Easter joy abounds as the shop owners in Lake Forest participate in a promotion that’s sure to get your little ones in the spirit of the holiday. Stop into the stores that display the Easter posters and your kids can get a free Easter egg prize and fill out an entry form to win the Grand Prize Basket. 
• Pricing: Free, no purchase necessary. One prize and one form per child per store.
  

Johnny Appleseed

 http://www.citadeltheatre.org/johnny-appleseed.html

• Where/When: Open Lands’ Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, 4:40 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through April 23.
• Why Go:  Enjoy the springtime beauty of Mellody Farm Nature Preserve and Citadel Theatre’s extraordinary production of the legendary story of Johnny Appleseed. Bring a blanket or a chair, dress for the weather, and enjoy! Whole Foods of Deerfield will provide refreshments and snacks.
• Pricing: $10 for members of Open Lands, $15 for general admission.