Severson Dells Nature Center
Severson Dells Nature Center is a great place for children and adults alike. The Center includes an education center with displays, classroms, and a library of books related to the outdoors. The center features an aquarium filled with cold-water fish and an indoor glass encased beehive. There are plenty of hiking paths outdoors on the 369-acre forest preserve. Some of the self-guided nature trails are paved and accessible all year. Severson Dells Nature Center also offers guided nature walks throughout the year. The center's butterfly garden that holds over 50 types of plants and attracts insects, birds and butterflies of at least 17 different species. This Rockford children's activity is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Severson Dells Nature Center
8786 Montague Rd.
Rockford, IL 61102
815-335-2915
www.seversondells.com
Discovery Center Museum
Another great indoor children's activity in Rockford is the Discovery Center Museum. The museum is home to over 250 interactive exhibits, including a planetarium experience, a robot building, wild weather and much more. The Discovery Center Museum's Outdoor Science Park offers adventure- packed activities for children. From a gigantic water wheel to a cave and dinosaur bones, this outdoor educational museum is full of children's activities for all ages. The outdoor area at Discovery Center is closed during winter months, but indoor exhibits are open all year Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Discovery Center Museum
711 North Main Street
Rockford, Illinois 61103
815-963-6769
www.discoverycentermuseum.org
Magic Waters Waterpark
When it seems too hot to be outdoors, Magic Waters Waterpark is great fun for the whole family. The park features all the usual activities from water slides to lazy rivers. Rent tubes for the family and relax outdoors without sizzling in the summer months.
Magic Waters Waterpark
7820 CherryVale N Blvd
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
800-373-1679
magicwaterswaterpark.com
Valley Orchard
Enjoy a day outdoors at the Valley Orchard surrounded by over 5,000 apple trees. During peak picking season, the whole family can pick their own apples, raspberries, blueberries or blackberries. Call ahead to find out what's in season . The orchard also sells baked goods, decorations, linens, jams, squash, pumpkins and more.
Valley Orchard
811 E State St
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
815-332-9696
thevalleyorchard.com
Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden
Take a walk through the Klehm Aboretum and Botanic Garden. Open from January to October, the arboretum and garden boast seasonal beauty--from blooming bushes in the spring to snow-covered trees during the winter. Kids will love the butterfly garden, which is open all summer long. Visit Klehm on a Monday for free admission.
Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden
2715 S. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61102
815-965-8146
www.klehm.org/
Atwood Environmental Center
Get the kids outdoors and learning at the same time at the Atwood Environmental Center. The center offers outdoor education day programs, summer camps, challenge courses, cross country ski clinics and many other events geared to all ages. The center is located in 334-acre Atwood Park and features marsh, prairie, river and woodland areas that are home to many animals and birds.
Atwood Environmental Center
2685 Milford School Rd.
Rockford, IL 61109
815-874-7576
www.rockfordparkdistrict.org
