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Will County, IL Free Events: Smash Pumpkins Nov. 7 and 14
Bolingbrook, IL – Families across Will County can put their leftover Halloween pumpkins to good use this November as two local nature centers prepare to host free Pumpkin Smash events featuring baseba
By Jenna Hartley · 2026-10-30T11:56:17.772Z
Bolingbrook, IL – Families across Will County can put their leftover Halloween pumpkins to good use this November as two local nature centers prepare to host free Pumpkin Smash events featuring baseball bats, pumpkin launches, games and outdoor activities.
According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the annual events will take place Saturday, November 7, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and Saturday, November 14, at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township.
Both events run from noon to 4 p.m. , and no registration is required.
Pumpkin Smashing With Bats, Launches and Games
At Hidden Oaks, visitors can launch pumpkins from a balcony, smash them with baseball bats and break them into smaller pieces.
Families can also enjoy pumpkin themed games, a scavenger hunt, educational exhibits and opportunities to roast hot dogs and marshmallows.
Food and beer trucks are also scheduled to attend.
The following weekend, Plum Creek will offer pumpkin smashing stations featuring mallets, bats, hillside launches and a miniature pumpkin catapult.
Additional activities include face painting, children's activities, composting demonstrations and nature center exhibits.
What Pumpkins Can Families Bring?
Carved and uncarved pumpkins of various sizes are welcome.
However, participants must remove candles, lights, stickers, plastic decorations and other noncompostable materials.
Painted pumpkins cannot be smashed during the events.
Keeping Pumpkins Out of Landfills
Organizers say the events help prevent pumpkins from entering landfills, where decomposing organic material can produce methane.
Last year, regional Pumpkin Smash events diverted more than 400,000 pounds of pumpkins from landfills.
Hidden Oaks will also offer a separate pumpkin composting drop off Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Officials remind residents that dumping pumpkins in forest preserves is prohibited because it can disrupt wildlife behavior.
More information is available at ReconnectWithNature.org .