Just when I'm getting down on winter, local organizations step up with family-friendly events that make the most of this beautiful season.

This weekend alone, Wehr Nature Center in Franklin, Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners and Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside are all offering Winter-themed events and celebrations. 

Winterfest at Boerner Botanical Gardens on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature winter crafts and activities for kids and winter stories by storyteller Kristia Wildflower. You can munch on kettle corn from local provider Sweet Delight Kettle Corn and other concessions from Zilli Hospitality Group, Boerner's new caterer.

Two Winter Woods Walks led by horticulturist Mike Kreuser will begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. He'll lead families through the gardens and teach participants about how living things adapt to the cold and prepare for the Spring. 

To find out more about Winterfest, click here.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center will also hold a Winter Carnival on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. They're offering snowshoeing treks, animal tracking hikes, ice skating on Mystery Lake, sledding, live animals, live music and Streetza Pizza.  Just like every Saturday and Sunday, you can stop by their Word with a Bird program to meet live raptors and other feathered friends. To find out more, click here.

Finally, Wehr Nature Center is offering a family friendly Owl Prowl on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. A naturalist will lead this night-time, interactive program and woodlands hike that teaches participants everything they ever wanted to know about Great Horned and Eastern Screech owls. Registration is required, and you can find out more here.