UPDATE: This exhibit at Morton Arboretum ended on January 31, 2021.
You and your family would have loved these oversized whimsical trolls displayed at Morton Arboretum near Chicago. Danish artist Thomas Dambo used reclaimed wood to create these imaginative sculptures that are full of fun details. It was interactive art at its best!
Thomas Dambo is a reknowned artist with exhibits all around the world. He specializes in sculptures and other art pieces made from upcycled, reclaimed, recycled or found materials. His artwork promotes goodwill and earth-friendly practices.
We saw Thomas Dambo art at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois (near Chicago). He has created six giant trolls along with a troll hideout for display there. Visitors are encouraged to search them out, admire them, take pictures with them, and let them inspire their imaginations.
After learning about this interactive art exhibit from a blog post by A Little Time and A Keyboard, I knew we had to seek out these trolls for ourselves. And, I am so glad we did. (After our 2017 epic art adventures, I just knew the children would love this interactive art exhibit, too!)
The Thomas Dambo trolls at Morton Arboretum was a fun family adventure that we will all remember for a long time.
What Makes Thomas Dambo Trolls Special
What makes these trolls special? I would say it is the materials used, the large sizes, the attention to small details, how each sculpture blends in with its surroundings, the fun details, and the interactivity.
Thomas Dambo is famous for using recycled materials in his art projects. Each troll is built from reclaimed wood. If you were to look closely, you might see old floor boards, scrap wood, sticks and twigs used within his recycle sculptures.
Despite the trolls’ giant sizes (ranging from 20-feet tall to 50-feet long), Thomas Dambo does not neglect the small details. Again, lean in for a closer look. You may notice the inclusion of small details like fingernails, toenails, the lifelike curve of ears and the use of branches or twigs to create hair… even the pads of their feet were not overlooked.
Each sculpture works with its surroundings (not against). It almost seems as though the sculptures were designed specifically for the area in which it has been planted. You may notice a troll’s heavy hand resting upon a nearby tree or his body perfectly hidden between two pre-existing bushes. Did Thomas Dambo design each sculpture specifically for each setting? Or, did Morton Arboretum and Dambo select each setting with a specific sculpture in mind already? I don’t know. It’s hard to say.
And, these sculptures are so fun! Each one will inspire your imagination to run wild. Each sculpture is a fun photo opportunity designed especially for audience interaction. Read more about these really fun details below!
The Troll Hunt
Please note this exhibit at Morton Arboretum ended in January 2021.
The six trolls and their hideout can be found at various locations throughout this 1,700-acre outdoor living museum. This imaginative art exhibit ended in January 2021.
Once you arrive at Morton Arboretum, be sure to ask for a Troll Hunter’s Handbook which includes helpful information including a map of general troll locations. (There is also a printable PDF map available online but we found the guide provided on site at the Arboretum to be more helpful.)
The maps do not provide exact locations of each troll; instead, they show a small area in which each troll can be found. This makes the experience more exciting because you have to search (or hunt) in a small general area for a Thomas Dambo troll recycle sculpture. Don’t worry! Each sculpture is easy to find. Several can be seen right from the road.
To discover the six trolls and their secluded hideout, you can hike, bike or drive to each location. We chose to drive, and we have no regrets. Of course, we had to exit our vehicle and hike a small ways to most of the trolls but none of our hikes were longer than a half-mile.
HELPFUL TIP: Be prepared for outdoor activity. Bring your sunscreen and bug spray. Also, make sure you bring enough water and a couple of snacks.
When driving, be sure to park in designated parking areas. If one lot is full, simply drive up to the next available lot to park. Be aware of others on the road. Be respectful of hikers and bicyclists (and sometimes wildlife) that you may encounter during your drive. Most roads within the arboretum are one-way.
FUN FACT: Did you know that these colossal trolls found throughout The Morton Arboretum have names? Their names are Rocky Bardur, Sneaky Socks Alexa, Joe the Guardian, Furry Ema, Niels Bragger and Little Arturs.
For avid hikers, you may want to complete your troll hunt completely on foot. If you choose to hike it, you can expect to log six to seven hiking miles during your troll hunt.
For specific location and trail details (length, trail surface types and slopes), visit the Morton Arboretum’s Troll Hunt Accessibility web page.
If you would like to bike it, you can bring your own bike or rent a bicycle. Morton Arboretum requests that cyclists remain on the roads and ride in the direction of car traffic while staying to the right. You can park in the designated parking areas in order to hike the short distance to see each troll up close.
Fun for the Entire Family
Selfies (and pictures) encouraged! My family loves posing for fun photo opportunities (as evidenced by our 2017 Epic Art Adventure in Indiana). And, this interactive art display at Morton Arboretum is loaded with fun photo opportunities.
While the program advertises that you are hunting for the trolls, many of the trolls appear to also be hunting for us. Consider the following:
- Two trolls have set up person-sized traps
- One troll is sprawled out in repose and ready to snack on visitors
- Another troll wields a large club
- Another troll looks out in the distance while holding a giant spear
- And one troll located near the parking lot appears to have smashed a car with a boulder
- Additionally, the hideout is set up to easily cook up a person-sized snack
Do you see what I mean? Lots of fun photo opportunities!! My children loved it! Adults love it, too.
Additionally, art-loving adults will appreciate all the small details of each sculpture – from the unique recycled and found materials used to the addition of small details like toe nails.
A Successful Hunt
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed hiking out to each of the Thomas Dambo creations.
Even my six-year-old (who frequently tells us that she hates hiking) loved the experience! She kept spurring us forward saying that she “can’t wait to find the next cutie-patootie troll.” And as we were leaving Morton Arboretum, she declared herself to be BFFs with the trolls.
Yep. Our troll hunt at Morton Arboretum was a huge success, and we highly recommend it for any other families who may be visiting the Chicago area.
For more ideas of things to do in this area, check out our list of fun things to do along the Magnificent Mile and beyond or consider a hike in nearby Starved Rock State Park.
Looking for other family-friendly whimsical adventures?
For more adventures full of fun and imagination, check out these links:
I soooo want to do this! I love a scavenger hunt and I’m kinda obsessed with these trolls. I wonder where the exhibit will go next?!?
Aren’t they neat? This exhibit will be at Morton Arboretum for two summers – 2018 and 2019. After that, I’m not sure where (or if) it will go somewhere else.
It sounds like the artist, Thomas Dambo, has two similar sculptures (Rune’s Trees and Snorra of Suwannee) on display at a park in Suwannee, Florida. Do you have any Florida trips planned soon?
This is so cool! I wish we lived closer so we could see it. I’m glad your daughter thought they were “cutie-patootie.” I have to agree!
I agree, too. Very cute… even if they trap and eat people. 🙂
Went to the Arboretum July 4th. Had a fun time driving around and walking. At the end of our tickets were rules for Covid for all visitors. I’ll bet we saw at least 150 people there. Probably about 20 people wore masks. And there was hardly any social distancing. This made me uncomfortable and disappointed.