Children’s Programs

Registration is required for all programs.
Please register online or by calling (203) 938-2117.

Students Ages 3 – 5

Budding Naturalists

Tuesdays, 10 – 10:45 a.m. (Weather permitting)
February 2
It’s Groundhog Day! Learn about these fascinating and industrious neighbors: their ability to sleep for more than four months at a time, their fantastic tunneling skills and underground layout, and their favorite food. Although they will still be sleeping, we will take a walk out to a favorite den or two on the farm so you will learn to recognize their hidden doorways.
February 9 or February 16
Bundle up and join our Program Director, Tim Laughlin, for a nature discovery walk. We will be looking for clues about animal activity in winter.
March 23
Let’s take a walk and look for signs of spring. We will look for emerging plants, birds at bird boxes, and activity in the stream, pond, and marsh.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and dressed for the outdoors.

    Each hike is FREE for member children, $5 per non-member child

Please Register Here for Feb. 2
Please Register Here for Feb. 9
Please Register Here for Feb. 16
Please Register Here for Mar. 23

Elementary School Students

Valentine’s Day Crafts

Thursday, February 11, 2 – 3 p.m.
Friday, February 12, 10 – 11 a.m.
Saturday, February 13, 10 – 11 a.m.
It’s time to create hearts and flowers to share with your family and special friends. Bring your creativity and join our staff for an afternoon of fun.

This indoor activity is being offered in 3 identical sections to allow for proper COVID protocols and ample space for social distancing. Each section will be limited to 6 participants wearing masks, sitting at least 6 feet from one another, with windows cracked open to create a flow of fresh air.

    Each program is $12 per member child, $14 per non-member child

Please Register Here for Feb. 11
Please Register Here for Feb. 12
Please Register Here for Feb. 13

Maple Syrup

Friday, February 12
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about one of New England’s famous traditions! Learn to identify and tap a sugar maple tree- depending on the temperature, you may even collect some sap. Take a trip to our Encampment to learn how the Eastern Wood- land Indians used Maple sap. While visiting our Sugar Shed, discover how we use our evaporator to boil down the sap until it becomes delicious syrup and learn about other products that come from the sap of a maple tree!

This program is limited to 6 children per 6-8 or 9-12 year-old group

    $12 per member child, $14 per non-member child

Please Register Here for 6-8
Please Register Here for 9-12

Build a Bluebird Box to Take Home

Friday, March 12
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Join us and assemble a bluebird house for your yard using rough cut lumber. Once built, participants will be given details on where to place their birdhouses and when to start looking for activity at their box! Bluebirds are highly desirable residents with attractive plumage, insectivorous diets, and melodious songs. With the right bluebird house, positioned properly to attract tenants, any backyard birder can become a bluebird landlord!

This program is limited to 6 children per 7-9 or 10-12 year-old group.

    $20 per member, $25 per non-member

Please Register Here for 7-9
Please Register Here for 10-12

From Seed to Harvest

Friday, March 26
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Start your vegetable garden with seeding beets, carrots, spring peas, and lettuce. We will share instructions for tending your garden so you will be ready for transplanting in early May. Learn why it’s so important to support our pollinators, and even plant a few sunflower seeds! These young farmers with their gardens will become part of Fairfield County’s Pollinator Pathway initiative!
This program is for children ages 6-10

    $12 per member child, $14 per non-member child

Middle & High School Students

After school Animal Care Workshop (with a parent)

Thursday, February 18 or Thursday, March 4
4 – 4:45 p.m.
Join a staff member for an introduction on how to properly feed our amphibians and reptiles. See if your family (parent and child) might be interested in continuing with this after-school and weekend feeding opportunity. Our beautiful and gentle bevy of beasts can’t wait to meet you!

Free — This is an indoor program, each program is limited to 3 parent/child teams. Masks will be required.

Please Register Here for Feb. 18
Please Register Here for March 4

Don’t miss our educational videos and nature activities – including our NEW monthly Nature Explorers.

If you would like to view samples of past programs, please view past calendars here.