Eight things to do at the Lake County Forest Preserves in October

As the leaves change color and temperatures dip, the Lake County Forest Preserves has a variety of activities planned. Here are a few options for October.

• Join friends and family to roast marshmallows, share stories and enjoy nature at night. "Community Campfire Friday Nights" takes place from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. Adult supervision is required for the free event that is open to all ages.

• Bird-watching Hot Spots runs from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, 117 Sheridan Road, Lake Forest. Look for waterfowl, migratory raptors and other migratory species. Scopes and binoculars will be provided for the free event. No registration is required. Park in the main parking lot and follow the signs to the Lake Michigan Overlook.

• Guided Hike Lake County tours take place from 2-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Enjoy fall breezes and autumn colors while exploring designated Hike Lake County trails.

• "Chocolate in Life and Death" is a program for adults that runs from 2-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Dunn Museum, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. Learn how chocolate was made in ancient Mexico and about its use today in Dia de los Muertos traditions. The cost is $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents. This includes admission to the museum.

• The 2019 Ethel Untermeyer Conservation Forum: Restoration of Mill Creek takes place 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. This decadeslong project has transformed the landscape of Ethel's Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch, recreating a picturesque stream from one of Lake County's lowest quality lakes. Project Manager Leslie Berns will reveal the story behind this complex restoration success. The forum is named for Ethel Untermeyer, the founder of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

• Join other home-schoolers to explore the Dunn Museum's latest exhibition, "A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico," from 10-11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23. Homeschool Companion: A Celebration of Souls is for students ages 5-12, with an adult. Registration is required. Free with museum admission: $6 adults; $3 students.

• Join a guided group Halloween Hike along a candlelit path to watch fun nature-themed skits, followed by doughnuts and cider at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, and 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve in Riverwoods. The cost is $9 for residents and $11 for nonresidents. Ages 3 and under are free. Registration at is required at lcfpd.org. The 1.5-mile hike is not scary and even your littlest will enjoy the family favorite. The event lasts for 90 minutes.

• Learn about the Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead. Stories, songs and crafts will be part of the Bilingual Storytime: The Dead Family Diaz. Registration is required for the program that takes place 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. It will be taught in both Spanish and English. Free with museum admission: $6 adults; $3 youth ages 2-5. Registration is required.

For more information, visit www.lcfpd.org.