Youth and Family Programs

Join us for programs that explore the best features of the New Canaan Nature Center! From dipping in our pond to trekking through the forest to meeting one of our live animals, NCNC offers a variety of fun, interactive and unique of programs for children and family throughout the year. Click here for more information about youth and family programming.

Upcoming Programs

Year Round Family Fun!

First Saturdays is offered once a month on the first Saturday of the month. From 10:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M. activities will take place in the Children's Play Garden and the Rock House will be open for exploration and discovery! There will also be a guided, seasonal activity for families with children five and older from 11:00 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

When school is not in session, a variety of Break Programs are offered that create a fun, interactive way for your child to explore the Nature Center with children his or her own age in a camp-like setting. Programs run for half and/or full days during most school vacation holidays and are led by our professional staff of naturalists and early childhood educators.

Children can sign up for one session, all sessions or anything in between. Programs are designed around seasonal themes and always include free choice play, gathering activities, stories, live animal visits and explorations on our grounds (weather permitting). Group size is limited to 16 children.

Annual/Biannual Events include:

• Syrup Saturday: a pancake brunch & festival celebrating the maple syrup season! mid March
• Cider Saturday: a celebration of cider season including cider press demos, apple baking, crafts and more. September
• Fall Fair: pony rides, apple slingshots, bounce houses and bungee jumps, pumpkin decorating, face painting, food, and fun October
• Winter Wonderland: horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday trains, chestnuts on an open fire and more December