Lake County kids connect with nature

Children got a chance to stretch their imagination and connect with nature Thursday at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.

The monthly program called "Connecting Kids with Nature" is run by environmental educator Jan Ward, who said children who connect with nature may be more inventive and better problem-solvers due to the hands-on learning local nature provides.

Children were provided with loose items from nature and shaving cream to make artistic creations while indoors Thursday.

"By providing loose items from nature like acorns, rocks, seed pods, we can bring the outdoors inside when its below zero. They can use their imagination to create and play on their own," Ward said. "By not telling kids what to do, but letting them do, helps build cognitive skills and artistic skills."

To find out more about programs at the Lake County Forest Preserve, visit www.lcfpd.org/events