At the Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum offers events for children and the family at 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

Arboretum activities are free with admission, unless otherwise noted. Admission is $9 for adults ages 18 to 64; $8 for seniors 65 and older; $6 for children ages 3 to 17; and free for children 2 and younger. On Wednesdays, admission is $6 for adults; $5 for seniors; $4 for children; and free for ages 2 and younger. Members are always free.

For details, visit www.mortonarb.org or call (630) 968-0074 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Registration can be completed online.

Gardening tips: Get fresh ideas on how to plant fall container gardens, create grapevine wreaths and other seasonal décor using flowers, plants and other natural materials from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Oct. 20, and 1 to 2 p.m. today and Oct. 17 in Arbor Court.

Nature-themed art: Shop for unique gifts at "Portfolia: An Exhibit of Fine Art Inspired by Nature," a show and sale of ceramics, fiber art, glasswork, jewelry and metal works, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Visitor Center Events Room.

African violets: The Fox Valley African Violet Society Show will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Visitor Center Events Room.

Pumpkin carving: Get some creative ideas for carving your pumpkin when artist Steve Dahlke transforms 500-pound orange orbs into giant jack-o'-lanterns from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Squashin' fun: Kids learn how big pumpkins get and how many seeds are inside from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in their Children's Garden. Kids also can purchase small pumpkins of their own

Culinary treats: Get hand-dipped taffy apples with candy and nut toppings, bratwurst, beverages, ice cream and other treats from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 24, in Arbor Court. A wine and beer tent offers free tastings and bottles of wine for sale.

Enjoying autumn: The arboretum's Fall Color Festival includes a cornucopia of family events and activities on weekends and Wednesdays through Oct. 28.

Theatre-hike: Journey into a land of fantasy, courage, love and faith in a performance of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Be prepared to hike over hilly ground and bring a blanket or camp chair and insect repellant. Tickets for ages 2 and older are $15, $12 for arboretum members and $40 for the dinner hike. For details, contact (630) 725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org.

Garden marketplace: Choose from a potpourri of fall color plants, bulbs and unique garden ornaments from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays in October.

Scarecrow Trail: Hike around Meadow Lake to see nature-themed scarecrows designed by local Girl Scout troops from 7 a.m. to sunset during October.

ArborReading: The whole family is invited to gather around for storytime and fun from 11 to 11:20 a.m. Fridays in October in the Children's Garden.

Leaf art: Kids create images of butterflies or the sun by making crayon rubbings of different-shaped leaves from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays in October in the Children's Garden.

Create a scarecrow: Kids create a mini-scarecrow to take home and learn why farmers put these straw-stuffed figures in their fields in "Go, Crow, Go!" from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October in the Children's Garden.

Fall color walk: Take a Fall Color Guided Walk to see autumn's palette at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. Meet in Arbor Court.

Acorn Express: Take a one-hour guided tour in an open-air tram to look at the wonders of the arboretum and to hear about its history at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. daily in October. The cost is $6 for adults, $5 for arboretum members, $4 for youth ages 3 to 17. Tickets available at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

Dangerous plants: Learn what plants may look lovely but spell danger from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in October in the Plant Clinic.

Concert tickets: Tickets for the 2007-08 Arboretum Chamber Concert Series are available. The monthly concerts are held in the Thornhill Center Auditorium and are followed by a reception with the artists. Tickets are $23, $18 for arboretum members; a five-concert pass is $110, $85 for members.

The concerts are: The Metropolis Quartet, 2:15 p.m. Nov. 4; Axia Chamber Ensemble, 2:15 p.m. Dec. 2; Table for 5, 2:15 p.m. Jan. 13; Carp Diem String Quartet, 2:15 p.m. Feb. 3; Patrick Bell, 7 p.m. March 1 and 2:15 p.m. March 2.

For details, contact (630) 725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org.

Tree sculpture: See artist Patrick Dougherty's sculpture crafted of saplings and branches from 7 a.m. to sunset daily throughout the year in the Pine Family Collection.

What's in a name?: Learn about the 300-year legacy of Carol Linnaeus in shaping the plant naming and classification system in an exhibit of artwork and rare books through Jan. 26 in the Sterling Morton Library.