Kids learn about nature down on Children's Farm

Although the Children's Farm in Palos Park winds up its annual Halloween activities this weekend, there's plenty families can do on weekends at the farm through the end of November, before the farm takes a three-month hiatus until reopening in March.

The 67-acre real working farm has been educating people about nature and farming since it opened in 1932, according to farm director Amy Didominicis. The Children's Farm is part of The Center, a nonprofit community center.

"Our big mission is education about farming, farm life and farm animals for kids and adults," she said. "That's the basis of why we're here. It's done mostly through school field trips, summer camps and weekend programs for public. ... Our message is about connecting people, nature and animals."

The farm is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for self-guided tours. Families can move at their own pace, visiting resident chickens, ducks, bunnies, pigs, cows, goats, horses, a pony and a donkey. Kids can even ride the pony, except in October when the farm's pumpkin patch draws crowds too big for offering rides. The patch is open from 3 to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; visitors can take complimentary hay-rack rides to the patch, pick a pumpkin (40 cents a pound) and then get a ride back to the barn. Admission to the pumpkin patch is free.

"Everything is hands-on," Didominicis said of the self-guided farm tours. "We let the kids in with everything except the horses. They can touch and pet and brush and groom and hold [all the animals]."

Volunteers are stationed throughout the farm to assist.

Didominicis said weekends on the farm are suitable for folks "from birth to 99."

"Anybody who is willing to embrace the outdoors can enjoy themselves here," she said.

Learn about the "tricks" of nocturnal animals and enjoy some treats during the free Creatures of the Night event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Call (773) 638-1766 or visit the Web site www.garfield-conservatory.org.

Jennifer Burklow is a local freelance writer.