Your kid can build a birdfeeder, spot local wildlife and start earning a "Nature Cat" patch Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Naper Settlement. It's free.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana are hosting "Down on the Farm Hour" during the weekly Naper Settlement Farmers Market from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The hands-on environmental education program takes place at the Harvard Early Learning Playscape and Splashpad on Naper Settlement's 13-acre campus, 523 S. Webster St.
It's one of the last Tuesday-evening family outings before District 203 classes resume Thursday, Aug. 13.
What kids will do
The hour is built around nature activities: building a take-home birdfeeder, discovering local wildlife at the playscape area, and working toward the Girl Scouts' Nature Cat patch. Naper Settlement described the program as a chance to "nurture your child's curiosity about the environment."
The Down on the Farm Hour runs weekly during the 2026 market season at the playscape. The Girl Scouts are hosting the Aug. 11 edition.
The market itself
The Naper Settlement Farmers Market is an expanded operation for 2026. Naper Settlement partnered with market operator Bensidoun USA to grow the Tuesday market to more than 40 vendors, add live music on the historic Paw Paw Post Office porch from 4 to 7 p.m., and offer adult classes from 5 to 6 p.m. on topics like beekeeping, canning and raising backyard chickens, according to Positively Naperville.
Christina Cahill, director of marketing at Bensidoun USA, told Positively Naperville in June that the partnership aims to "celebrate the unique personality and rich cultural spirit of Naperville" by combining food, entertainment and community on the historic grounds.
The market runs every Tuesday, 3 to 7 p.m., through Sept. 22. No museum ticket needed. Visitors can also explore the historic buildings and the "We the People: Naperville and the American Story" exhibit at no charge during market hours.
Parking: Free in the Naper Settlement lot at the southwest corner of Porter Avenue and Webster Street, with overflow street parking along the west side of Webster Street.
This week in Naperville
- Tuesday, Aug. 11, 3–7 p.m. — Naper Settlement Farmers Market, 523 S. Webster St. Free. Down on the Farm Hour with Girl Scouts runs 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Harvard Early Learning Playscape.
- Thursday, Aug. 13 — First day of school for all Naperville District 203 students. Centennial Beach (500 W. Jackson Ave.) and Naperville Park District splash pads shift to back-to-school hours; check napervilleparks.org for the updated schedule.
- Friday, Aug. 14, 5–10 p.m. — Naper Nights Concert Series at Naper Settlement. Dan Peters Band (6–7:30 p.m.), JUMP – America's Van Halen Experience (8–10 p.m.). Tickets: $25/adult (13+), $15/youth (4–12), free for 3 and under. NaperNights.org.
- Saturday, Aug. 15, 5–10 p.m. — Naper Nights finale. Sparks Fly (Taylor Swift tribute, 6–7:30 p.m.), Made in America – A Tribute to Toby Keith (8–10 p.m.). Same ticket prices.
