Family events in DuPage County, IL

An autumn tradition returns to The Morton Arboretum with the 16th annual celebration of glass art. Explore a vibrant patch featuring more than 8,000 handcrafted glass pumpkins, spanning classic looks to imaginative colors, shapes, and sizes. The display is set near the West Lawn beside the Visitor Center and will take place regardless of weather. Access to the patch is covered by standard Arboretum admission. Live glassblowing demonstrations showcase artists transforming 2000-degree molten glass with traditional tools into striking works. On select days, flameworking sessions focus on creating fall-inspired miniatures, marbles, and beads. Purchases support the Arboretum’s mission to nurture a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees flourish together. Arboretum members also have a ticketed preview opportunity with early shopping before public sales begin.

Snow White and the Seven Endings is presented by Glenbard South Theatre in Glen Ellyn, with general admission seating. Tickets are five dollars for every seat.

Homecoming features a football matchup between the GBN Panthers and the St. Charles North Stars.

Kids ages 6 to 13 can build real-world confidence and bullying prevention skills at this free, hands-on workshop at EverStrong Academy. Through interactive activities and role-play, participants practice recognizing what is and is not bullying, carrying themselves with confidence, using strong words and body language, protecting personal space, deciding when to walk away, reporting concerns to a trusted adult, and standing up for themselves and for others. This is an active session rather than a lecture, and a parent or guardian must be present. Space is limited to 30 participants and advance registration through EverStrong Academy is required. Marking Going on Facebook does not reserve a spot. The workshop is open to the Carol Stream community and nearby areas, and attendance is not limited to EverStrong athletes. A free raffle will award $1,000 in prizes. Every participant receives one entry, with an extra entry for each registered friend they bring. After a friend registers, text your name and your friend’s name to 630-825-4427. For questions or additional information, text 630-407-1253.

Precision ABA presents an annual Halloween Spooktacular and resource fair that blends trick or treating with opportunities to discover community support. Children can visit treat stations hosted by Precision ABA and participating local organizations, play Halloween themed games, and collect prizes. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers can connect with groups that provide programs, services, and resources for children and families. Costumes are welcome but not required. This free event does not require registration and is open to everyone.

Clear out your craft room and discover new-to-you materials at a community swap focused on creative supplies. Bring usable items you no longer need and browse for fresh inspiration. Everything is free, and no donation is required to participate. New or gently used donations are accepted at the library in advance during normal library hours, and donors receive a ticket for early entry before general admission. Suggested items include fabric, sewing and embroidery thread and notions, paper crafting and scrapbooking materials such as rubber stamps, craft kits and instruction books, children’s craft kits and supplies, jewelry making materials, and yarn with hooks and needles, along with similar supplies. Any remaining items will be donated to a local organization.

An open play session at Ultimate Ninjas Academy designed for children ages 3 to 9 features bigger ninja challenges with help from an adult or a coach. Participants can try obstacles like monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, and the warped wall, along with many other TV-inspired elements presented in smaller, kid-friendly formats.

Festive Fall Festival 2026 offers refreshments, trunk-or-treat fun, games, and crafts for a cheerful autumn celebration. There is no cost to attend, and registration is available through the ticket link. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to West Suburban Community Pantry.

Get into the spooky spirit at The Game Show with a Halloween-themed evening filled with reptiles, insects, and other crawly critters. An interactive show puts these creatures in the spotlight, and all arcade games are set to unlimited free play throughout the event. Guests are welcome to wear costumes, and admission is $20.

Enjoy a family-friendly evening of paddling at Northside Park. Start with on-land instruction covering canoeing basics, then head onto the water for a guided outing where staff share insights about the area’s natural history and help you notice more about your surroundings. The fee covers one canoe for up to three people. All participants must register, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet by the canoe cabin at Northside Park. Cost is $33 per canoe for Wheaton residents and $42 per canoe for non-residents.

Hosted by Chicago Auto Club West, this monthly cars and coffee meetup at Sim Racing Naperville brings car culture and conversation together. Enthusiasts gather to share supercars, classics, muscle cars, exotics, imports, custom builds, and daily drivers. Inside the facility, visitors can try racing simulators that recreate the feel of the track while outside features vehicles from many eras and styles. Expect friendly people from the local car community, coffee and conversations, support from local businesses, and a welcoming atmosphere for anyone whether displaying a car or simply enjoying the scene.

The Nicholas D. Sergi Foundation hosts the 8th annual Family, Farm and Faith Festival at the Glen Oak Country Club Lodge in Illinois. This fall tradition offers families an afternoon centered on fun, food, and faith. More details will be shared closer to the event.

An open play session at Ultimate Ninjas Academy invites children ages 3 to 9 to explore kid-sized ninja challenges. Participants can try obstacles like monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, and a warped wall, along with additional scaled versions of obstacles popular on TV. Assistance from an adult or a coach is available for bigger challenges.

Ten vocalists from Chicago a cappella lead a musical voyage through Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, illuminating the far north with beauty, mystery, and wonder. Shimmering harmonies, images of sweeping Nordic landscapes, and age-old storytelling come together in a program shaped by nature, folklore, and light. Presented at Wentz Concert Hall, this full-length concert lasts 110 minutes and includes an intermission. It is recommended for ages 10 and older and is welcoming to audiences across generations.

Presented by the McAninch Art Center and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the College of DuPage Foundation, this free outdoor exhibition offers a walkable celebration of American artistic achievement in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary. A route around the MAC on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn features ten painted silhouette sculptures, each about ten feet tall. Created by contemporary artists with community input, these works honor influential figures in visual art, music, theater, and dance, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Enjoy a lighthearted Halloween at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf. Costumes are encouraged, with cute outfits especially welcome, as you play a spirited round on a course sprinkled with playful tricks, tasty treats, and a hint of Halloween magic. Expect laughs, friendly competition, and mini golf fun without the frights. Admission is $8.

Experience a portrait of Benjamin Franklin that goes beyond the textbook as he shares recollections of his public life, his writings, and the scientific creations he pursued. This look back at a statesman, inventor, and founding father explores how his ideas continue to shape everyday life. The content connects naturally to social studies, language arts, and science, prompting the question of which academic fields he has not influenced.

At Meadow Glens Park, FIT4MOM Naperville offers a comprehensive, interactive Stroller Strides workout followed by a playgroup for children of all ages. The class blends strength, cardio, and core exercises while engaging little ones in their strollers. After the workout, the playgroup features hands-on sensory and STEM stations with fall leaves. Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle.

Reserved exclusively for homeschool families, this class welcomes children ages 6 to 9 for a 50 minute session that begins with a warm up and continues with coached obstacle challenges and courses. Participants take on kid sized versions of obstacles inspired by those seen on TV, including monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, a warped wall, rings, and laches, with help from an adult or coach available for bigger challenges. No prior obstacle experience is needed, and instruction builds on concepts from the Lil Ninjas level as students progress to more complex movements and refine their technique. Instructors introduce new goals, challenges, and course layouts each week to encourage safe exploration, steady skill development, and plenty of fun.

Hosted at The Hub at Berens Park within the Elmhurst Park District, this early childhood session welcomes children ages 3 to 5 with a parent for one hour of dinosaur discovery. Kids will view authentic dinosaur fossils, hear a story, create a craft to take home, and dig in sand to piece together dinosaur puzzles. Registration is handled through the park district.

Geared toward parents, educators, tutors, and homeschool families, this Literacy and Learning Workshop focuses on practical decoding strategies that support children’s literacy development. Instructors offer clear guidance and encouragement while showing how to apply approaches that align with key findings on effective instruction. The fee is $40 per workshop, space is limited, and at least six participants are required for the session to run.

This homeschool-only session welcomes junior ninjas ages 6 to 9 for a 50 minute class that begins with a warmup and continues with coach-led obstacle challenges and courses. Participants take on larger, more complex elements with guidance from instructors or an assisting adult while building confidence and technique. Obstacles may include monkey bars, trapeze bars, a rock wall, a warped wall, rings, and laches, plus additional kid-sized versions inspired by television competitions. No prior obstacle experience is required, and the class builds on concepts introduced in Lil Ninjas. Coaches emphasize safe movement, clear goals, and progressive challenges that help students develop solid fundamental skills while having fun.