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; children 2 and under are free. On Wednesdays, admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children; children 2 and under are free. 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.

Woodwork artistry:ŒSee gifted artists demonstrate their creative woodworking skills at the North Suburban Carver Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 in the Visitor Center Events Room.

Nature art:ŒTalk with artists and see art demonstrations at the Nature Artists' Guild Holiday Exhibit from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Thornhill Education Center.

Nature adventure:ŒSee the importance environmental education and nature adventure provides children in a new exhibit, "No Child Left Inside," from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 16 through May 1 in the Thornhill Education Center.

Woodland walk:ŒPut boots and jackets to good use on a "Winter Woodland" guided walk from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in November.

Arboretum express:ŒA holiday train display features a multi-level garden railroad with trains winding through a miniature winter wonderland of live trees and other plants from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 through Jan. 6. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Holiday trees:ŒSee the work of local designers in "Where Treetops Glisten," an indoor holiday tree display, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 through Jan. 6 in the Visitors Center. Find what surprises nature has hidden in the 14-foot "Arboretum Holiday Tree."

Adventure hikes:ŒChildren do different activities, such as going on a scavenger hunt and building a snowman, on a "Cool Kids Nature Hike" at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 23 through Feb. 29 in the Children's Garden.

Holiday photos:ŒGet your family portrait taken indoors in front of the Arboretum Holiday Tree from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Visitor Center. The $35 package includes one 8-inch-by-10-inch, two 5-inch-by-7-inch and four wallet-sized photos. No appointment necessary; payment required at time of sitting.

Tree treats:ŒKids make treats with items animals eat and hang them on trees from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Children's Garden.

Tall tale ride:ŒFollow the hysterical, holiday adventures of the fictional Humdinger family in a 30-minute interactive trolley ride and enjoy a holiday cookie and cocoa on Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 28, 30, and Jan. 2 and 4. Tickets are $10, $8 for arboretum members. Info: (630) 719-7949.

Breakfast with Santa:ŒGet your reservations now for the popular Breakfast with Santa from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22. Tickets are $22.50 for adults, $21.50 for children and free for children under 2; member discounts available. Reservations recommended: (630) 725-2066 or www.mortonarb.org.

Hands-off plants:ŒTake a look at some lovely, but nasty plants in the "Dangerous Plants" exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the Plant Clinic.

Concert tickets:ŒTickets 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: 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?:ŒLearn 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.

Volunteers wanted:ŒAdults 21 and older are wanted to show youngsters features of the arboretum's Children's Garden. Volunteers are needed on both weekdays and weekends. They receive discounts to the arboretum's store and invitations to special events. Volunteers are required to pass a background check. For details, contact volunteer coordinator Sally Kenaston at (630) 719-2443 or skenaston@mortonarb.org.