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

Explorers Club: Critters and Crafts

Saturday, May 17

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Join us for a spring installment of our popular Critter and Crafts program as we learn about how scientists group animals! We'll meet a bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian as we discover how these groups of animals are different. Our crafts will be themed to some of our animals too! As always in the spring, we will have our "leftover" table where participants can create some of our favorite crafts from the last year! These will include picture frames, kites and more! All ages welcome! Limited to 25 kids.

Please call (203) 966-9577 to register by May 15.

Ages: Recommended for all ages..

Members: Free / Non-Members: $11.00 per family

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Explorers Club: Popular Pandas and Other Bears!

Saturday, June 14

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Get ready for the newest animated movie adventure, Kung Fu Panda, by discovering all about bears in the world. From black bears here in Connecticut to the pandas of China, we'll learn about bear ecology and what types of bears are found in the world. All children will get to stuff their own panda bear to take home too!

One free parent ticket with paying child; under 3 free. Free tickets do not include stuffed animal.

Please call (203) 966-9577 to register by June 13.

Ages: 6 and up.

Members: $12.00 / Non-Members: $15.00

Children under age 3 are free.

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Bats, Man!

Saturday, June 21

7 - 8:30 p.m.

Bats are some of the coolest, and most misunderstood, mammals in our area. Join us for an exciting evening filled with talks, walks, crafts and more as we celebrate these winged wonders.

We'll meet live bats with wildlife rehabilitator and educator Gerri Griswold and head out to the ponds to look and listen for our local bats. We'll also read Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, make bat crafts and more! We'll also serve Eat-Like-A-Bat snacks featuring fresh fruit salad and edible insect treats for the very brave! Tickets are limited to 60. All participants must have ticket.

Please call (203) 966-9577 to register by June 19.

Ages: 6 and up.

Members: $8.00 / Non-Members: $11.00

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Year Around Family Fun!

Saturday Explorers Club is offered two times per month for ages 6 and up and introduces children and families to hands-on field study and craft programs. Programs are held on Saturdays from 1:30-2:45 p.m. and feature our live animal collection, trail walks on our grounds and take-home craft projects. Past programs have covered topics such as dragons, chocolate, birds, skull and bones, and insects. A parent is invited free with each paying child to encourage family exploration, but age-appropriate drop-offs are allowed for some programs.

The Vacation Nature Program is a half day program for 4-8 year olds during school vacation week. The programs create a fun, interactive way for your child to explore the Nature Center with children his or her own age. Programs run 9 a.m.- noon during most school vacation holidays. Classes are taught by two of our professional educators who are trained in CPR, first-aid and medication administration.

Classes are for Falcons, ages 4-5 and Hawks, ages 6-8. Children can sign up for one session, all sessions or anything in between. Programs are designed around daily themes and always include free choice play, gathering activities, stories, live animal visits and explorations on our grounds (weather permitting). Classes are limited to 16 children.

Annual/Biannual Events include:

Syrup Saturday: a Festival celebrating maple syrupping season! Late February/early March
Earth Day: field studies, live animals and our annual Spring Fever Concert! April
Ick Festival: a tribute to all things icky, yucky and gross! Live animals, crafts, workshops. July in even years
Reptile and Amphibian Day: a great chance to discover scaly and slimy critters. July in odd years
Birds of Prey Day: an in-depth look at the world of hawks, owls and other raptors. September
Cider Saturday: a celebration of cider season, press your own cider and NCNC history tours. October
Naturally Crafty: pumpkin carving and other natural crafts. October
Holiday Candlemaking: our annual candle dipping program. December