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Seedlings Classes

Date:
Apr 01, 2019 to Apr 30, 2019
Schedule:
Hours and dates vary by age. Check website for details
Cost:
$14 nonmember child, $12 member child. Includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Attend a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of April 3: A Log’s Life; April 10: Cool Season Veggies; April 17:…

History Hounds: Red Rocks

Date:
Jul 07, 2018 9 - 11am
Cost:
$15 member, $20 nonmember, $30 member family, $35 nonmember family
Phone:
303-866-2394

Enjoy a fun hike with your canine friend along the Trading Post Trail while learning about the history of the best musical venue in the world. Meet at the Trading Post. Dogs must have current shots, mix well with others, and remain on a leash. Owners are responsible for water and cleaning up after their…

Fall After School Garden Club

Date:
Sep 14, 2017 to Oct 05, 2017
Cost:
Phone:

Learn how to make snacks with garden-fresh produce, explore the abundance of the garden harvest and celebrate the harvest season through community in the garden. Ages 4-11. $15 child. Discounted price of $50 is available when you register a child for all 4 classes in one series.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Dec 01, 2019 to Dec 31, 2019
Cost:
$14 child, $12 member child, includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants and their importance. Classes include interactive explorations, nature walks and stories for children and their caregivers. Week of Dec. 4: Magical Woods; Dec. 12: Pine Cones Galore; Dec. 18: Holiday Treats, the Plants we Eat. Ages 18 months-6 years.

Fishing Frenzy

Date:
Aug 03, 2019 10am - 1pm
Cost:
$8
Phone:
303-658-2796

Explore the basics of fishing and the ethics behind it. Poles available for use during the program, or bring your own. Reservations required. Ages 6-14.

The Hound of the Baskervilles: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

Date:
Sep 16, 2017 to Oct 29, 2017
Cost:
Phone:
303-440-7666

Sat-Sun Sept. 16-Oct. 29, 12 and 3pm. Watch as Ms. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joanna Watson solve the mystery of a curse that dooms each Baskerville male to be hunted by a demon dog. A hiking play by Arts in the Open. Age 6 and up. $17-$20.

Raptor ID Seminar

Date:
Jul 12, 2019 10am - noon
Cost:
$20
Phone:
720-898-7405

Find out how to identify Colorado's native raptor species with the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance. Contact Emily for more info and registration connect@rmwalliance.org.

International Sportsman’s Expo & Youth Fair

Date:
Jan 10, 2019 to Jan 13, 2019
Schedule:
Thu Noon - 8pm, Fri Noon - 8pm, Sat 10am - 7pm, Sun 10am - 5pm
Cost:
$16, age 15 and under, free
Phone:
800-545-6100

Attend seminars on camping and off-roading, and participate in a team casting contest. During the show, visit The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Youth Fair, an area featuring hands-on activities designed to teach children about the great outdoors in a safe, responsible way including: catch-and-release fishing pond with free flies for kids, radio-controlled ATV track, a…

Little Naturalists

Date:
Jun 01, 2019 to Oct 25, 2019
Schedule:
Fri, 9:30am
Cost:
Free. Reservoir entry fee waived during class time
Phone:
303-326-8429

Enjoy Aurora Reservoir through stories, activities, and discovery time on the trail. Meet in the Senac Creek Nature Center at the Reservoir. Age 5 and under with adult caregiver.

Homeschool Day: Pollinators

Date:
Sep 17, 2018 10am - 2pm
Cost:
$12 per day per child; one adult per child is free of charge. $7 additional adults and non-participating siblings over the age of two
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover the relationships between plants and pollinators, and learn how the gardens depend on pollinators to help it grow. Learn how to protect pollinators and create an insect hotel to take home with you.

Avian Arvada: Tucker Lake

Date:
Nov 05, 2017 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost:
FREE
Phone:
720-898-7405

Join Chip Clouse, former Education and Outreach Director for the American Birding Association, for a morning bird walk at Tucker Lake. Meet at West Woods Elementary School.

Farm Visits

Date:
May 01, 2018 to Aug 31, 2018
Schedule:
Thu-Sun, 9am-1pm
Cost:
$13-$15. Punch cards available
Phone:
303-774-8001

Experience farm life with baby animals, tire swings, a zip line, and more. Free under 12 months. Reservations required online.

Junior Rangers

Date:
Sep 08, 2019 1:30 - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Learn about Aurora's true nature by exploring Star K Ranch. This month's topic is all about beavers. Registration required. Ages 6-12.

Homeschool Day: Mysteries of Mycology

Date:
Jan 22, 2018 10am
Cost:
$12 per day per child; One adult per child is free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating siblings over the age of two pay $7 each. Admissions to the gardens is included.
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the similarities and differences between plants and fungi, investigate specimens from the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi, and explore the active life of yeast. Homeschool Days offer families the opportunity to explore plant-based themes through a variety of hands-on activities, tours, and take-home projects that families can do together.

Nature’s Beauty

Date:
Aug 17, 2019 8 - 9am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Go on an early morning nature walk admiring the different things you'll see. Registration required.

Sunrise and Sunset Kayak Adventures

Date:
Jul 06, 2019 to Jul 12, 2019
Schedule:
July 6, 6-8am; July 12 and 26, 6:30-8:30pm
Cost:
$3
Phone:
303-326-8429

Look for wildlife and watch the rise or set from a kayak on the beautiful Aurora Reservoir. Age 12 and up. Registration required.

Rainforest Yoga

Date:
Feb 10, 2018 to Feb 24, 2018
Schedule:
Feb. 10, 17, 21, and 24. Times vary by date
Cost:
$8 members, $10 nonmembers
Phone:
720-974-1877

Surround yourself with exotic plants and beautiful butterflies, and meet other yoga enthusiasts in the community. Adults.

Safe Summer Kick Off on Get Outdoors Day

Date:
Jun 08, 2019 10am - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-969-2062

Be part of the event that is designed to promote access to healthy and safe outdoor spaces, support under-resourced communities, and celebrate nature exploration. Enjoy activities, live music, food, and experts to talk to about healthy choices.

Buggin’ Out

Date:
Jun 09, 2019 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the importance of insects in your everyday life and why they’re needed to keep parks healthy. Help create a bug hotel to be installed in the pollinator garden.

Low Sensory Morning

Date:
Sep 14, 2019 8 - 9am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-865-3500

Experience Denver Botanic Gardens’ Mordecai Children’s Garden without the crowds and connect with plants in a safe, restful location. This therapeutic horticulture program is intended to give individuals and families who prefer a quiet, less crowded environment a chance to experience the gardens with limited attendance. Explore on your own or participate in various hands-on…

Winged Souls Exhibition

Date:
Oct 13, 2018 to Nov 04, 2018
Cost:
Visit website for details
Phone:
720-865-3500

See the outdoor art exhibition celebrating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) by showcasing the symbolism of monarch butterflies and the iconic female figure known as La Catrina. Learn about this Mexican holiday through colorful and joyful large-scale sculptures created by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero.

School of Snakes

Date:
Sep 16, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free but park pass required
Phone:
303-425-1097

See live animals to learn the importance of these scaly creatures. Participants will get to meet Betty the bullsnake to get an up close look. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 5-8. Registration required.

Jr. Survivor Challenge

Date:
Aug 19, 2017 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:
303-425-1097

Practice the outdoor skills needed to survive a natural disaster and become a Jr.Survivor. Register for this class through the City of Westminster’s Activity Registration Webpage. Ages 9-12. Class is limited to 10 spaces. $8.

Oh Deer, Oh My!

Date:
Mar 23, 2019 3 - 4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Explore life as a predator or life as prey—run, hide, and try not to get eaten. Register online. Ages 8-14.

Low Sensory Morning

Date:
Aug 11, 2018 8 - 9am
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-865-3500

Experience a quiet and sensory-friendly visit before public hours. Connect with plants in a safe, restful location while engaging senses and providing social enrichment. Visitors can explore the gardens on their own or participate in hands-on activities in the sensory garden. Registration required.

Curious Connections in Nature

Date:
Jun 01, 2018 to Jul 30, 2018
Schedule:
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat, 9am-4pm; Sun, 10am-4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-6892

Learn how everything is connected in the world through hands-on activities, multi-media displays, and specimens from the museum’s collection.

Catfish Night

Date:
Jun 14, 2019 to Jul 19, 2019
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-678-6204

Try to catch some catfish at Stearns Lake during normal closed hours. Anglers 16-years and older must have a current Colorado fishing license.

Homeschool Day: Wild Wetlands

Date:
Dec 24, 2018 10am - 4pm
Cost:
$5 members, $8 nonmembers
Phone:
303-469-5441

Enjoy a special day for homeschoolers and the whole family to explore the invertebrate diversity of wetland environments.

Earth Day Celebration

Date:
Apr 21, 2018 10am - 2pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-797-1779

Celebrate Earth Day with earth-friendly activities for kids, breakfast with the artists of the Our Planet exhibit, live music, food trucks, free yoga classes, and tree planting with the Greenwood Village Mayor, Ron Rakowsky.

Chunky Chickadee

Date:
Jan 05, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
$4
Phone:
303-658-2796

Explore the adaptations chickadees have to survive, and create a winter bird feeder to help keep those chickadees chunky. Online registration required.

Creating in Nature

Date:
Oct 26, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
$3
Phone:
303-658-2796

Plant the seed of creativity in this program designed for children to discover the shapes, patterns, and colors of the world around us. Registration required. Ages 4-9.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Apr 01, 2019 to Apr 30, 2019
Schedule:
First Thu and third Mon, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.

Little Naturalists

Date:
Nov 01, 2019 to Nov 29, 2019
Schedule:
Fri, 9:30-10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8429

Join in with little ones for puppets, games, and discovery time on the trail at the Aurora Reservoir. Age 5 and under.

Climate Conversations

Date:
Apr 23, 2018 7pm
Cost:
$10 adult, $5 student suggested donation
Phone:
303-204-4814

Listen to a conversation about climate change with local officials, scientists, schools, and Channel 7 weatherman Mike Nelson. All ages welcome. The middle or high school with highest percentage of attendance will receive donated money for their science department or club.

Cold Commotion

Date:
Dec 07, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
Free but park pass is required
Phone:
303-658-2796

Find out how different animals survive the cold months during a touch-and-tell walk. Explore how some animals prepare for, and survive, the winter season. Ages 4-7. Space is limited.

Winter Nature Fun

Date:
Dec 30, 2019 to Jan 02, 2020
Schedule:
Dec. 30, 31, and Jan. 2, 9am-noon
Cost:
$10 per session
Phone:
303-326-8429

Join in for one, two, or all three fun-filled days of winter survival, animal tracking, and other nature activities. Bring snacks and a water bottle, and dress to be outdoors. Ages 8-12.

Dinosaur Discovery Day

Date:
Oct 13, 2018 9am - 3pm
Schedule:
Arrive anytime between 9am-1pm. Girl Scouts should plan to arrive by 1pm to allow 2 hours to complete activities and badge work
Cost:
$6 per Girl Scout, $5 other adults and youth, free age 2 and under. Additional $3 to participate in fossil activities
Phone:
303-697-3466

Join in the annual Girl Scout Day and National Fossil Day too. Meet representative from area STEM organizations who will have activities for the girls. Register by October 12.

Refuge Day

Date:
Oct 19, 2019 11am - 2pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-289-0930

Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week by exploring the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Event activities include archery, wildlife activity booths, and live animals.

Family Fun Night: Stories and S’mores

Date:
Jun 23, 2018 5:30 - 8pm
Cost:
$8 adult or child, $6 member adult or child, free age 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Say goodbye to spring and celebrate the start of summer. Make s’mores, explore and play in the Mordecai Children’s Garden, and engage in nature-themed activities. Special guest storyteller Cliff Davidson will share family-friendly stories. Family Fun Nights are a unique opportunity to explore the Children's Garden after-hours. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner…

Hunters Full Moon Hike

Date:
Oct 05, 2017 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost:
Phone:
303-697-6159

Leave those flashlights at home for this unique hiking adventure. No dogs, please. Register online. $2; park entrance fee waived.

Nature EdVentures: Peaceful Pollinators

Date:
Jun 14, 2018 5:30 - 7pm
Cost:
$10 Highlands Ranch resident, $10 nonresident
Phone:
303-791-2710

Celebrate Pollinators Month by exploring the gardens at Civic Green Park for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Catch insects with nets and examine them. Age 6 and up. Advance registration required.

Olde Town Telescope Night

Date:
Jun 01, 2018 7:30 - 9:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Go on an adventure with Lookout Mountain Nature Center for nighttime discovery. Meet in Olde Town Arvada Square just west of the library.

Astronomy: Telescopes 101

Date:
Jun 09, 2018 8 - 10pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-776-8688

Discover how telescopes work through interactive demonstrations and activities, and do some sky gazing. Bring a telescope if you have one. Meeting location, near Longmont, will be provided to registered participants. Age 5 and up.

Family Day: Geology

Date:
Jan 06, 2018 10am - 3pm
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
719-488-0880

Try your hand with “Keep What You Find Gold Panning,” learn about Colorado's mineral and mining heritage, and take part in hands-on mineral identification.

Sunset on the Prairie

Date:
Aug 04, 2017 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost:
Phone:
303-739-7160

Enjoy a night out and get to know the prairie that is right outside your door in a whole new way. Take a wagon ride and enjoy one of the best views of the Front Range sunset as you learn about the short grass prairie ecosystem. Finish your night with s’mores around the campfire. Adults…

Marshmallows and the Moon Campfire

Date:
Jun 14, 2019 9 - 10pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Visit the Nature Center to view the beautiful celestial neighbor through a telescope and roast a marshmallow or two over the campfire. Registration is required online.

Nature EdVentures: Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk

Date:
May 13, 2018 2 - 4pm
Cost:
$10 Highlands Ranch resident group of three, $12 nonresident group of three, $6 individual resident, $7 individual nonresident
Phone:
303-791-2710

Join a native plant master and a park ranger on a hike up to Highlands Point. Advance registration is required. Age 8 and up.

Nature EdVentures – Snowshoe Hike

Date:
Feb 16, 2018 8am - 9:30am
Cost:
$10 Highlands Ranch resident, $12 nonresident
Phone:
303-791-2710

Snowshoe from Red-tail Park up to Highlands Point to see the amazing views of the foothills and Denver Metro area under a blanket of snow. Bring snowshoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration is required one week in advance.

Edible Foraging Stroll

Date:
Aug 10, 2019 9 - 11am
Cost:
$8
Phone:
303-658-2796

Walk alongside Kate Armstrong, a practiced urban forager, and identify edible and medicinal plants. Registration required. Age 8 and up.

Beekeeping Bootcamp: Package Installation

Date:
Apr 07, 2018 10am - 1pm
Cost:
$35 and up
Phone:
303-469-5441

Get help for beginning beekeepers. Workshops are taught by Mario Padilla, Butterfly Pavilion entomologist and knowledgeable beekeeper. Work alongside Mario and other learning beekeepers, developing the skills necessary to achieve thriving hives. For adults. Reservations required.

Free Snowshoe in Rocky Mountain National Park

Date:
Mar 09, 2019
Schedule:
TBD. Check website for updated times
Cost:
Free. Transportation to/from RMNP and lunch is provided
Phone:
303-743-9720 ext. 840

Join Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC) for a free afternoon of snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Snowshoes will be provided. No experience is necessary. For high school students.

Bumblebee Jamboree

Date:
Mar 23, 2019 10:30 - 11:30am
Cost:
$13 adults, $11 member adults, $8 children, $6 member children, free for children age 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Dress as a favorite pollinator such as a bee, butterfly, or bird and dance and sing along with the musical guests. The concert features Eric West. Ages newborn to 12 and their parents.

Paddling Tour

Date:
Sep 15, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$25
Phone:
303-425-1097

Paddle alongside the park naturalist and discover the rich history behind Standley Lake, and the oasis it provides for people and wildlife alike today. Age 8 and up. Limited to 8 people. Registration required.

Craft-Tea: Winter Wonderland

Date:
Dec 21, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
$10
Phone:
303-987-7850

Join in for wintery crafts, morning “tea,” and snacks with your kids. Ages 3-12. Register for activity #376620.

Surviving Winter: Night with a Naturalist

Date:
Feb 05, 2019 6:30 - 7:30pm
Cost:
$5/person, $15/family
Phone:
720-898-7405

Learn lessons from our wildlife friends on how to survive, what to pack, and skills that may help you out in a pinch.

Nature Nerds Family Club: Bug Hotels

Date:
Jun 01, 2019 10:30am - Noon
Cost:
$14 nonmember adult, $6 nonmember child, $6 member adult, $4 member child
Phone:
303-469-5441

Create bug hotels to attract solitary native bees and other beneficial insects to the Pavilion's gardens. Preregistration required. Ages 4-10.

New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

Date:
Dec 31, 2019
Schedule:
11am and 2pm
Cost:
$30.99 adults, $22.99 children ages 3–11. Includes exhibit admission
Phone:
303-561-4450

Ring in the new year at two different times with a buffet meal, beach ball and balloon drop, contests, giveaways, animal appearances, and a sparkling cider toast. Reservations required at 303-561-4450.

Kids Grow Better Outside

Date:
Sep 01, 2019 9:30am
Cost:
Visit website for full details
Phone:
719-748-3401 ext. 6

Join Great Outdoors Colorado and Generation Wild to help check off 100 things to do before you're 12. Children will experience special stations to help check off these fun activities that encourage children and families to enjoy nature and live life outside.

Renewal in Nature

Date:
Apr 26, 2018 3 - 6pm
Cost:
$34, $30 member
Phone:
303-326-8380

Become immersed in the expansive beauty of the Colorado prairie landscape while exploring the depth of your connection to this local environment. Guided sensory practices, nature connection activities, games, and explorations.

Nature Treasure Hunt in the Park

Date:
Jul 25, 2019 10:30 - 11:30am
Cost:
$3
Phone:
720-898-7405

Adventure through the park to find some hidden treasures and win a prize from the Majestic View Treasure Chest. Register online. Ages 4-14.

Seedlings: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Date:
Nov 05, 2019 9:30 - 11am
Cost:
$3, free age 12 months and under (arrangements must be made with Box Office for a free infant ticket)
Phone:
720-509-1000

Find out why birds have feathers, how they fly, and what they eat. Join Bird Conservancy of the Rockies to explore the world of birds through stories, movement, and discovery. Age 5 and under.

Winter Solstice

Date:
Dec 21, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Welcome winter by exploring the trails of Standley Lake on the shortest day of the year. Discover the traditions and lore behind the celebration of the passage into winter. Class size is limited.

Tropical Trails Tour

Date:
Dec 01, 2017 to Dec 31, 2017
Cost:
Phone:

Dec. 2, 16 and 30, 2-3pm. Explore the lush vegetation, vibrant flowers and warmth of the tropics as you stroll through the Gardens’ tropical collections. This is a one-hour tour led by experienced docents. $14, $9 student, $7 member.

Outdoor Movie Night

Date:
Jun 21, 2019 6pm
Schedule:
Doors open at 6pm, movie begins at sundown
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-469-5441

Celebrate National Pollinator Week with a family-friendly showing of the Bee Movie outside on the front lawn of the invertebrate zoo. There will be arts and crafts, nature walks, giveaways, and a ladybug release prior to the film. Food trucks will also be on site.

Plains Conservation Center Free Day

Date:
Jul 18, 2019 Noon - 4:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-739-7160

Visit the Plains Conservation Center, including ecological and historical programming, wagon rides, games, and refreshments.

Rockin’ Landforms

Date:
Jun 21, 2018 2 - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-678-6215

Find hands-on learning about the three different types of rocks, how erosion shapes the landscape, and the moving power of uplift. Ages 5-12 with adult.

Edible Foraging Walk

Date:
Sep 23, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$8 per person
Phone:
303-425-1097

Join urban forager, Kate Armstrong, and discover the edible and medicinal plants at Standley Lake and right in your backyard. Age 10 and older. Registration required.

Museum Family Day: Watery World

Date:
Feb 10, 2018 10am - 4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-6892

Explore the weird and wonderful creatures that have populated our planet's oceans and streams. Compare real museum specimens, make observations, and create your own take-home crafts.

Winter in the Tropics

Date:
Jan 07, 2018 1pm - 4pm
Cost:
Included with admission.
Phone:
303-439-2379

See the Polynesian Princess visit Butterfly Pavilion in search of heroes ready to fulfill their destiny. Enjoy songs, glowing scorpions, and free-flying butterflies.

Girl Scout Day

Date:
Nov 09, 2019 9am - 5pm
Cost:
$5-$12 adults, $5-$8 Girl Scouts, free age 1 and under
Phone:
720-974-1877

Enjoy a day of fun activities, crafts, and live animal encounters that will help meet all the steps for a Brownie Bugs Badge, Eco Friend Badge, or Daisy Make the World a Better Place Rosie Petal.

Seedlings: Magnificent Mint

Date:
Jan 09, 2018 to Jan 12, 2018
Cost:
$11 for 18-36 month old, $9 member; $13 for 3-6 year old, $11 member.
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover the many uses of the mint plant in this sweet-smelling class. Age ranges vary by date.

Night Hike: Cold Full Moon

Date:
Dec 11, 2019 4 - 5:30pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-697-6159

Go on a family hiking adventure in the dark. Exact hike location will be provided upon required registration.

Native Lands

Date:
Oct 19, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the culture and traditions of the indigenous and how their descendants carry them on today. Registration required.

Bald Eagles Discovery

Date:
May 05, 2018 to Jun 09, 2018
Schedule:
May 5, 13, 20, and 26, 9-10:30am, and June 1 and 9, 8:30-10am
Cost:
Free but park entry fee is required
Phone:
303-658-2796

Entice your mind with the discovery of these magnificent raptors that call Standley Lake home. Enjoy learning about their life and create treasured memories by possibly viewing them in the wild. Registration is required and is limited to 20 spaces.

Spring Fishing Clinic

Date:
May 05, 2018 8am - 1pm
Cost:
$7 daily park pass or annual pass required
Phone:
303-659-6005

Learn how to fish. Free fishing poles will be given to the first 100 kids to sign up. Meet at the boat ramp. Ages 6-14.

Spring Birds

Date:
Mar 16, 2019 8 - 9am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Greet the incoming migratory birds of Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, an internationally recognized Audubon area, on this bird walk. Don’t forget binoculars.

Dinosaur Discovery

Date:
Nov 16, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
$3
Phone:
303-658-2796

Uncover the history beneath our feet on this nature walk throughout the park. Fees help Standley Lake maintain the paleo dig site.

Junior Rangers

Date:
Jul 14, 2019 9:30 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Learn about Aurora's true nature by exploring Star K Ranch. This month's topic is all things water. Ages 6-12. Registration required.

Family Workshop: The Salsa Garden

Date:
Jun 16, 2018
Schedule:
2-3:30pm and 5:30-7pm
Cost:
$17 child, $15 member child, $12 adult, $10 member adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore fresh ingredients growing in the Mordecai Children’s Garden Chipotle Home Harvest Garden and make a special salsa treat from scratch. Each child plants a container garden that includes ingredients to make treats at home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10.

Frozen Feathers

Date:
Nov 09, 2019 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the winter residents of the park and the adaptations that help them survive the frigid temperatures.

Tropical Trails Tour

Date:
Feb 03, 2018 2pm - 3pm
Cost:
$14, $9 student, $7 member
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and warmth of the tropics as you stroll through the Gardens’ tropical collections. This is a one-hour tour led by experienced docents.

Magic Science Saturday

Date:
Mar 02, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
$5
Phone:
720-898-7405

Register to dig into experiments and find out whether they are magic or science. Registration required. Ages 6-12.

Winter Bird Count

Date:
Dec 29, 2019 3:30 - 5pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Join local bird watchers and record the birds found in the Westminster area on a winter bird walk. Christmas bird counts have been happening for more than a century. Space is limited. Age 8 and up.

Naturalist Guided Night Hikes

Date:
Jan 31, 2018 5pm
Cost:
$2 per person, park entrance fee is required.
Phone:
303-697-6159

Follow the trails of Lakewood's Bear Creek Lake Park and surrounding green spaces, led by a park naturalist guide. Registration required.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Aug 01, 2019 to Oct 31, 2019
Schedule:
First Thu and third Tue, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.

Colorado Foodways: A Celebration of Local Food

Date:
Aug 12, 2017 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Attend the celebration of Colorado history, music and food featuring local chefs, tours and live music. Traditional Colorado dishes with regionally sourced ingredients are presented during this “strolling supper” on the farm. Participants can tour the organic vegetable and lavender fields, explore the historical Hildebrand Ranch house, and hear a talk on water conservation. This…

What’s That, Habitat?

Date:
Mar 12, 2019 10:30 - 11:30am
Cost:
$4
Phone:
720-898-7405

Get into some habitats and see just what all is needed to keep animals (and ourselves) happy and healthy. Registration required. Ages 4-12.

Love Potions from the Vine Tour

Date:
Feb 10, 2018 to Feb 16, 2018
Schedule:
Feb 10, 11, 14, 16, 3-4pm
Cost:
$14, $12 member, $10 student
Phone:
720-865-3500

Escape the winter chill in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory with this tour of purported aphrodisiacs and learn about the secret romantic lives of tropical plants. This is a one-hour tour led by experienced docents. Tour participants receive a romantic souvenir to take home.

Winter Wings

Date:
Jan 26, 2019 9 - 10am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Learn how birds survive the freezing temperatures during Colorado winters.

Bumblebee Jamboree

Date:
Apr 20, 2019 10:30 - 11:30am
Cost:
$13 adult, $11 member adult, $8 child, $6 member child, free for children 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Dress as your favorite pollinator such as a bee, butterfly, or bird. Dance and sing along with the musical guest, Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta. Ages birth-8 and their parents.

Photography Expedition

Date:
Apr 28, 2018 5:15 - 9:15am
Cost:
$36, $34 member
Phone:
303-326-8380

Capture the life and the seasonal characteristics of the prairie in the best light possible. Each expedition is led by David Winger, a renowned garden and nature photographer.

$5 Day

Date:
Feb 10, 2018 9am - 5pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-469-5441

Experience all of the displays and activities of the Butterfly Pavilion for only $5 per person.

Cosmic Campfire

Date:
Sep 14, 2019 8 - 10pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

See Jupiter and Saturn when they are visible while enjoying time around the campfire. Registration required.

Solar Eclipse Party

Date:
Aug 21, 2017 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:
719-576-8000

Celebrate this awe-inspiring with telescopes and live feeds from other U.S. total solar eclipse locations. Build your own eclipse viewer and watch a planetarium show. Included with admission.

National Geographic Live: My Wild Life

Date:
Jan 18, 2019
Schedule:
10am and 8pm
Cost:
$10-$36
Phone:
720-509-1000

View a collection of images of animals in their natural environment by 23-year-old nature photographer Bertie Gregory. He has mastered the art of capturing what binds animals and humans together.

Nature Journaling

Date:
Apr 27, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Write and sketch thoughts about the scenery and wildlife refuge that surrounds you. Age 12 and up.

Winter Day Camps

Date:
Jan 02, 2018 to Jan 05, 2018
Schedule:
9am-4pm. Full and half days available.
Cost:
Full Day: Members $45, Nonmembers $50. Half Day: Members $27, Nonmembers $30.
Phone:
720-974-1877

Explore animal interactions, defense mechanisms, and extreme adaptations with hands-on activities. Reservation required.

Mountaineering Weekend

Date:
Feb 15, 2019 to Feb 18, 2019
Cost:
Free for guests staying in a cabin or lodge room; day passes for guests staying off-grounds are also available for $25 per person, per day
Phone:
970-586-3341

Participate in family-geared educational sessions on winter survival tips and mountaineering skills, guided hikes, and backcountry ski meet-ups.

Star K Nature Camp

Date:
Jun 04, 2019 to Jun 21, 2019
Schedule:
June 4-7 and June 18-21
Cost:
$50 per week
Phone:
303-326-8445

Learn about how an insect works, how reptiles live, and why coyotes howl, among other things. Then get out on the trail and explore the 250 acres of woodland and fields at Star K Ranch. Ages 6-12. Registration required online.

Lavender Festival

Date:
Jul 20, 2019 9am - 5pm
Cost:
$7, $5 member, free age 13 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

See more than 2,000 blooming lavender plants, creating a gorgeous backdrop for this family-friendly event. Lavender products made by local growers and artisans are available for purchase. There will be farm tours and kids activities.

Kayak Tour

Date:
Aug 24, 2019
Schedule:
5-7pm
Cost:
$25
Phone:
303-658-2796

Explore the oasis Standley Lake provides for humans and wildlife alike on this guided paddling tour. Tour includes life jackets, kayaks, and paddles. Registration required. Age 7 and up.

Family Fun Night: Stories and S’mores

Date:
Sep 30, 2018 5:30 - 8pm
Cost:
$8 child/adult, $6 member child/adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Make s’mores, explore and play in Mordecai Children’s Garden, and participate in nature-themed activities. Special guest storyteller Cliff Davidson will share family-friendly stories. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy.

Zazu Dreams Book Event

Date:
Apr 12, 2018 7:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-447-2074

Join Dr. Cara Judea Alhadeff as she speaks about and signs her new book, Zazu Dreams, a tale about the adventures of a Sephardic Jewish boy and his imaginary friend, a malamute husky, who travels the globe experiencing the relationship between humans and their environments.

Telescope Nights

Date:
Sep 01, 2017
Cost:
FREE
Phone:
720-898-7405

After dark. Come take a peek at the coolest celestial body in the sky.

Strolling Stories

Date:
Sep 01, 2019 to Sep 30, 2019
Schedule:
Sept. 16, 23, and 30, 9:30-10:30am
Cost:
$10 child, $8 member child. Includes free admission for one adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Stroll along Deer Creek each week and investigate nature as it changes with the seasons. Along the trail, stop to read a seasonally-themed story and then continue the adventure with an exploration based on the day’s book. Recommended for ages 3-6 years.

International Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Date:
Sep 21, 2019 8am - 2pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Celebrate birds from all over as they migrate through Arvada. Partake in a bird walk, or join in on some feathered festivities with kids activities, a live raptor demonstration, and storytime in the garden.

Homeschool Day: Plants and People of the Southwest

Date:
Oct 29, 2018 10am - 2pm
Cost:
$12 per day per child. One adult per child is free of charge. $7 additional adults and nonparticipating siblings over the age of two
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover how native peoples of the southwest use plants in their everyday lives and explore the plants of the Sacred Earth and Dryland Mesa gardens. Investigate the uses of yucca and learn about traditional cooking tools. Activities are designed for children age 5 and up, but all ages are welcome to attend.

Prairie Dog Town

Date:
Nov 02, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Join the park naturalist and visit the largest prairie dog town on the north side of the park to observe the complex lifestyle of these intelligent rodents.

Nature EdVentures: Microinvertebrates

Date:
Jun 29, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
$10-$12
Phone:
303-791-2710

Take a look at the tiny world of invertebrates living in Fly’n B pond up close and under a microscope. Craft your own microinvertebrate creation. Registration is required.

National Geographic Live: Social by Nature

Date:
Oct 18, 2019 8pm
Cost:
$22 student pricing, $26-$36 full price
Phone:
720-509-1000

Join biologist-turned-photographer Ronan Donovan as he talks about his work in documenting chimpanzees, wolves, and gorillas and what we, as fellow social mammals, can learn from them. For middle and high school age kids.

Dinosaur Discovery Day

Date:
Sep 08, 2018 10am - 2pm
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
303-697-3466

Enjoy Gem & Mineral Day. Volunteers are stationed along the Dinosaur Ridge Trail at significant interpretive sites, while others staff booths and activities. Visitors can hike at their own pace or take the shuttle bus at $4 per person on these special days (ages three and under ride free).

Family Day: Learning from Nature

Date:
Jan 27, 2018 10am - 4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-1666

Make observations about how structures and processes in nature solve problems. Meet CU Boulder students and community partners who are weaving together science, technology, engineering, art, and math to find innovative and sustainable solutions.

Pixelated: Sculpture by Mike Whiting

Date:
Apr 28, 2018 to Sep 23, 2018
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-865-3500

See the largest outdoor solo exhibition by the artist. Brightly-colored metal sculptures created within the pixelated aesthetic of “Pac-Man” and other 8-bit vintage video games are presented throughout the gardens. Pixelated explores the relationships between the natural world and the artificial world of digital media.

I Spy Beaks and Feet!

Date:
Apr 30, 2019 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:

Watch for local birds and find out where they live, eat, and have babies. Ages 2-5. Register online. Located near Boulder; location provided to those registered.

International Mud Day

Date:
Jun 29, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$7 daily park pass or state parks annual pass required
Phone:
303-659-6005

Participate in an event aimed at connecting children around the globe through the earth. Wear old clothes. Use sandbox toys and play in the mud. Reservation required.

Thursday Tot Time

Date:
Oct 24, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Take tots to discover the park using all their senses plus hands-on activities to help young explorers gain a better appreciation of their surroundings. Registration required. Ages 3-5.

Thursday Tot Time

Date:
Feb 14, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Go on a small hike and enjoy a nature-based game, craft, or storytime. Online reservations required; use event code #910802. Ages 2-5.

Nature Detectives Kids Club

Date:
May 01, 2018 to May 01, 2019
Schedule:
Ongoing at various open space locations
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-678-6201

Join the club by participating in self-guided tours and activities on different open space properties around Boulder County. Each Mystery Guide takes you on an exploration of a specific open space property. Ages 4-11.

Family Workshop: Pollination Exploration

Date:
Jul 13, 2019 9:30 - 11am
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Observe pollinators and learn about the process of pollination. Create a pollinator habitat to take home with you. Workshops offer families a hands-on opportunity to learn about the science and enchantment behind the plants in our everyday lives, create tasty treats from scratch, and explore the natural world. Ages 5-10.

Seedlings

Date:
Jun 01, 2018 to Jun 30, 2018
Schedule:
$11 for ages 18-36 months, $9 member; $13 for ages 3-6 years, $11 member
Cost:
Tue-Wed (ages 3-6), 9:30 and 11am; Thu (ages 24-36 months), 9:30 and 10:45am; Fri (ages 18-24 months), 9:30 and 10:45am
Phone:
720-865-3500

Take the kids for a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of June 1: Plants in your Pizza; June 5: Sunflowers…

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Aug 01, 2018 to Aug 31, 2018
Schedule:
First Thu and third Mon, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7000

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities. Just swing by and explore.

Zoom Into Nature

Date:
Apr 28, 2018 7:15 - 8:15pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7000

Learn about nature photography with the basics, discovering how to spot a great photo in nature. Ask questions about your mobile camera or just enjoy the majestic view while practicing outside during the “golden hour.”

Nature Trek Clubs

Date:
Feb 05, 2019 to Feb 26, 2019
Schedule:
Tue, 4-5pm
Cost:
$15 for 4-week session
Phone:
720-898-7405

Discover leaf rubbings, animal games, and a love of nature in this after-school club that goes on weekly adventures. The Ladybug Club is for ages 2-5 with adult. The Dragonfly Club is for ages 6-12.

Full STEAM Ahead: Beeswax Candle Making

Date:
Dec 08, 2018 3 - 4:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-441-3100

Make hand-dipped beeswax candles with beekeeper Tracy Bellehumeur. Learn how a beekeeper renders beeswax from start to finish and package candles with embellished gift tags. Reservations required. Ages 7-12.

Tree Climbing Adventure

Date:
Oct 06, 2018 10am - 1pm
Cost:
$15
Phone:
303-425-1097

Climb to the top of Westminster’s urban trees at Mushroom Pond in this entry level tree climbing class. Discover the importance of trees and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape, nature, and wildlife. Ages 8-12. Class size limited to 12.

Animal Adaptations

Date:
Aug 13, 2017 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Cost:
Phone:
303-425-1097

Learn why beaver’s feet are webbed, how coyotes can hide so well, and many more adaptations that allow animals to thrive in nature. Kids will also make an animal track plaster cast to take home. Children must be accompanied by adults. All ages must register for this class through the City of Westminster’s Activity Registration…

Ghosted: a Paranormal Mystery

Date:
Sep 01, 2019 to Oct 31, 2019
Schedule:
Sept. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 and Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27
Cost:
$15-$20
Phone:
303-440-7666

Be part of the action when the audience is asked to help a paranormal detective and their assistant try to solve three ghostly cases. Together, find out if these are honest to goodness ghosts or simply figments of the imagination. Audience and actors meet at the Chautauqua Picnic Shelter and take a moderate hike on…

Hiwan Kids: Nature Art

Date:
Jul 19, 2018 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
Free; donations accepted
Phone:
720-497-7650

Take a closer look at nature through journal sketching and other art activities. Registration is required.

Arvada Trails Day

Date:
Jun 01, 2019 8am - 2pm
Schedule:
Visit website for full schedule
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Hit the trails and enjoy family festivities.

Bald Eagle Discovery

Date:
Mar 09, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Unveil the adaptations that led the bald eagle to become America's national symbol and the complicated past the species holds.

Tropical Trails Tour

Date:
Feb 24, 2018 2pm - 3pm
Cost:
$14, $9 student, $7 member
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the lush vegetation, vibrant flowers and warmth of the tropics as you stroll through the Gardens’ tropical collections. This is a one-hour tour led by experienced docents.

Nature At Night

Date:
Sep 20, 2019 6:30 - 7:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Discover the world of nature that thrives when the sun goes down. Registration required.

Family Day: T is for Tracks

Date:
Mar 10, 2018 10am - 4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-1666

Become nature detectives and investigate ways in which you can understand which creatures have passed through the same trails, streams, and forests that people travel through. Includes hands-on science and art activities.

Homeschool Day: Art Exploration

Date:
Aug 28, 2017 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Journey through art and nature while engaging in a garden-wide exploration of the Calder: Monumental exhibition. Explore how art and science work together and make a work of art inspired by the exhibition. Activities are designed for children ages five and up, however all ages are welcome to attend. $12 child; one adult per child…

Irish Tales Along the Trails

Date:
Jul 07, 2018 to Aug 05, 2018
Schedule:
10am select days
Cost:
$20 adult, $17 concert member, $18 Colorado Mountain Club member, $15 children under age 10
Phone:
303-440-7666

Experience a moderate two-mile hike on the Enchanted Mesa Trail while scenes from the play are performed along the way, presented by Arts in the Open. Audience members are encouraged to bring camping chairs or blankets.

Chipotle Film Series: Polyfaces

Date:
Oct 03, 2017 6:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

See The Chipotle Film Series, presented by Chipotle Mexican Grill, which includes three films relating to sustainable food practices, organic farming and community agriculture. Each evening includes food provided by Chipotle, a screening of the film, and a post-film panel discussion. “PolyFaces” follows an Australian family who use their life savings to travel to the…

Be a Habitat Hero

Date:
Jun 19, 2018 5:30 - 6:30pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
720-898-7405

Learn “Wildscaping” with the Audubon Rockies as you walk through the different habitats in bloom in the garden. Age 5 and up.

Tropical Trails Tour

Date:
Nov 18, 2017 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:
720-865-3501

Enjoy the lush vegetation, vibrant flowers and warmth of the rain forest as you stroll through the Gardens’ tropical collections. All ages. $14, $9 student, $7 member.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Jan 04, 2018 to Sep 30, 2019
Schedule:
First and third Tue, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities. Register online.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Dec 05, 2019 to Dec 17, 2019
Schedule:
10am on the first Thu and third Tue of each month
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.

Miracle on the Rocks

Date:
Sep 15, 2019 7:30am
Cost:
$20-$30
Phone:
720-865-2494

Get ready for some sunrise yoga and a stair climb challenge to benefit Children's Hospital Colorado. Prizes will be given to those who fundraise the most and those who complete the course in the fastest time. Registration required.

Seedlings

Date:
Jul 30, 2019 to Aug 27, 2019
Schedule:
Week of July 30: Fun in the Sun; Aug. 6: Musical Garden; Aug. 13: Nature’s Art; Aug. 20 Garden Games; Aug. 27: Gnome Homes
Cost:
$14 child, $12 member child, includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Attend a hands­-on way for young children to explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants and their importance. Classes include interactive explorations, nature walks and stories. Ages 18 months to 6 years.

Bloomapalooza

Date:
May 19, 2018 9am - 5pm
Cost:
Included in general admission: $12 adult, $10 adult (Westminster resident), $10 senior, $8 child, free for age 1 and under
Phone:
303-439-2379

Celebrate Plant Conservation Day with a pollinator plant sale, hands-on gardening activities, and family-friendly entertainment.

Times are a Changin’

Date:
Sep 29, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free but park pass is required
Phone:
303-425-1097

Walk alongside the park naturalist and discover the beauty of fall at Standley Lake. Limited to 15 spaces. Registration required.

Nature EdVentures: Cops and Bobbers

Date:
Jul 26, 2019 8 - 11am
Cost:
$10-$12; discounted group rate available
Phone:
303-791-2710

Get to know local law enforcement officers while having fun. Fishing rods and bait will be available or bring your own. Ages 6-14. Registration required.

Nature Nerds Family Club: Bee Goodies

Date:
Sep 07, 2019 10:30am - noon
Cost:
$4-$14, admission included
Phone:
303-469-5441

Explore bee products by learning how they're made and what they can be used for. Explore a bee hive, scrape real comb, and melt wax to make reusable beeswax wraps.

SPREE’s Trees

Date:
Oct 19, 2018 8am - 6pm
Cost:
$50/day. After-care available for $6/day
Phone:

Learn about the different trees and plants that are adapted to grow along the South Platte River. Geared toward kindergarten to 5th grade.

Butterfly House

Date:
May 25, 2019 to Sep 02, 2019
Cost:
$4, $2 Gardens or Butterfly Pavilion member, free for children 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Visit the seasonal habitat home, presented with the Butterfly Pavilion, to see hundreds of native butterflies such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks, and painted ladies. Learn what types of plants you can add to your garden to attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Natural Night Out

Date:
Oct 05, 2018 5:30 - 9pm
Cost:
See website for cost
Phone:
303-499-3647 ext. 108

Attend a fundraising auction for Thorne Nature Experience, and celebrate founder Dr. Thorne’s 90th birthday. Cocktail attire suggested. Reservations required online.

Low Sensory Morning

Date:
Jul 27, 2019 8 - 9am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-865-3500

Experience Denver Botanic Gardens without the crowds and connect with plants in a safe, restful location. This therapeutic horticulture program is intended to give individuals and families who prefer a quiet, less crowded environment a chance to experience the Gardens with limited attendance. Registration required.

World Honeybee Day

Date:
Aug 18, 2018 9am - 5pm
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-974-1877

Discover the incredible world of honeybees and their important contributions to our world with this dynamic event featuring live animals, themed activities, crafts, and games.

Thursday Tot Time

Date:
Nov 21, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the park using the senses through hands-on activities to help young explorers gain a better appreciation of their surroundings. Fees fund craft supplies. Ages 3-5.

Astronomy Night

Date:
Jul 07, 2019 to Aug 18, 2019
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-658-2796

Gaze into the night sky using high-powered telescopes to view the celestial objects in the beyond. Registration required.

Family Workshop: Warm Winter Cocoa

Date:
Dec 09, 2017 to Dec 10, 2017
Cost:
Phone:

10am-noon and 2-4pm. Follow the journey of a cacao bean and discover how chocolate is made. Make hot chocolate from scratch and take a hot chocolate mix home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10. $17 child, $15 member child, $12 nonmember adult, $10 member adult.

Kindred Spirits: Day of the Dead

Date:
Nov 02, 2017 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:
720-865-3500

Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with themed cocktails at Sacred Thistle – a flower and gift boutique - before going to the Gardens for a private tour of the La Calavera Catrina exhibit. Guests must be 21 years of age and capacity is limited.

Meadow Music

Date:
Jun 04, 2018 to Aug 13, 2018
Schedule:
Most Mon, no program on July 16
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-441-3440

Join Open Space and Mountain Park’s Jeff Kagan, Paige Doughty, and Mark Wesson for evenings of children’s music and nature education. Includes an easy hike. Best for ages 2-8.

Russian Storytime

Date:
Jan 19, 2019 10:30 - 11:15am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Open your ears to a new world of words as a local mom and native Russian speaker brings the language to life. Register online. Ages 3-5.

Toddler Storytime

Date:
Jun 07, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$7 daily park pass or state parks annual pass required
Phone:
303-659-6005

Take your child to listen to stories about the natural world. Ages 3-5 with adult. RSVP by phone.

Mushroom Fair

Date:
Aug 11, 2019 9am - 6pm
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-865-3500

Learn about native fungi species and bring in specimens for identification.

Family Workshop: Garden Garlands and Wreaths

Date:
Nov 10, 2018
Schedule:
10am and 2pm
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Take a nature walk through the gardens and then use seeds, branches, and greens to create a display of nature to take home.

Thursday Tot-Time

Date:
Mar 14, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Go on a tot-size hike and enjoy a fun, nature-based craft or game. Ages 2-5.

Family Workshop: Pollination Exploration

Date:
Jul 20, 2019 9:30 - 11am
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Observe pollinators and learn about the process of pollination. Create a pollinator habitat to take home with you. Workshops offer families a hands-on opportunity to learn about the science and enchantment behind the plants in our everyday lives, create tasty treats from scratch, and explore the natural world. Ages 5-10.

Majestic View Travel Series: Alaska

Date:
Jan 30, 2018 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Cost:
$5.
Phone:
720-898-7405

See digital images of bears in Denali, Katmai and other National parks. Experience fly-fishing for rainbow trout, arctic char, and salmon. Presented by Bob Barber, professional wildlife photographer. Register online.

Nature EdVentures: Snakes, Snakes, Snakes

Date:
Jun 01, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
$10 Highlands Ranch residents, $12 nonresidents
Phone:
303-791-2710

Explore the world of snakes and how they survive in Highlands Ranch. Meet our bull snake, Little Miss, and complete a fun craft to take home. Advance registration required.

Small Wood Sculptures by Charles Counter

Date:
Jun 02, 2018 to Jan 06, 2019
Schedule:
Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-651-8374

See how regional artist Counter explores how people understand the idea of the natural world though observation and memory, with small wood sculptures. Located in the Portal Gallery.

Winter Break Camps

Date:
Dec 23, 2019 to Dec 31, 2019
Schedule:
Dec. 23, Dec. 27, Dec. 30-31
Cost:
$30-$36 half-day, $50-$60 full-day
Phone:
303-469-5441

Attend day camps during winter break. Themes include learning about jelly fish, insect superpowers, and the strangest bugs on earth. Sign up for full- or half-day sessions. Ages 5-12.

Nature Nerds Family Club: Bug Bites

Date:
Nov 02, 2019 10:30am - noon
Cost:
$4-$14, includes admission
Phone:
303-469-5441

Learn how people and animals feast on all types of invertebrates and then try a buggy treat, Cheddar Cheese Mealworms.

Family Workshop: Leprechaun Gardens

Date:
Mar 10, 2018
Schedule:
10am-noon and 2-4pm
Cost:
$17 child, $15 member child, $12 adult, $10 member adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover the legend of the leprechaun as you design and create a miniature garden to attract these mischievous garden friends. Each child creates a container garden to take home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10.

Grow an Heirloom Kitchen Garden

Date:
Apr 07, 2018 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
$22, $20 member
Phone:
303-326-8380

Help gardeners gain a new appreciation for the flavors, colors, textures, and imperfections that make heirloom vegetables worth growing. Learn which heirloom vegetables to plant, how to manage the kitchen garden, and tips for saving seeds to pass along to others.

Dinosaur Discovery Day

Date:
Aug 11, 2018 10am - 2pm
Cost:
Activities included with admission
Phone:
303-697-3466

Enjoy Reptiles & Birds Day. Volunteers are stationed along the Dinosaur Ridge Trail at significant interpretive sites, while many others staff booths and activities at the Main Visitor Center Complex for kids and adults of all ages. Visitors can hike at their own pace or take the shuttle bus at $4 per person on these…

Seedlings

Date:
Jul 01, 2018 to Jul 31, 2018
Schedule:
Tue-Fri, hours vary by date
Cost:
$11 ages 18-36 months, $9 member; $13 ages 3-6, $11 member
Phone:
720-865-3500

Enjoy a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of July 10: Scrumptious Seeds; July 17: I Love Lavender; July 24: Edible…

Butterflies at Chatfield

Date:
May 25, 2018 to Sep 02, 2018
Schedule:
9am-3pm
Cost:
$4 adult/child, $2 member adult/child
Phone:
720-865-3500

Visit the seasonal habitat that is home to hundreds of native butterflies, such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks, and painted ladies.

Family Workshop: Chocolate Treats

Date:
Dec 07, 2019 to Dec 08, 2019
Schedule:
Dec. 7-8, 10am and 2pm
Cost:
$15-$17 children, $10-$12 adults
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the chocolate tree and follow the journey of a cacao bean to discover how chocolate is made. Create a box of delicious chocolate treats to take home. Ages 5-10 and their caregiver.

Family Volunteering: Young Stewards Gardening Project

Date:
Jun 16, 2018 9am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-715-1010

Join a half-day volunteer project exclusively for families with children ages 6-12. Participants will help transplant native plants from the High Plains Environmental Center's greenhouse, learn about what it means to be a good steward, and go on a fun nature hike. Breakfast and lunch provided. Register online or by contacting Jamie Burke at jamie@voc.org…

From Sunset to the Milky Way: Photographing the Evening and Night Sky

Date:
Apr 07, 2018 6:30 - 10:30pm
Cost:
$47, $42 member
Phone:
303-326-8380

Photograph sunset on the plains, transitioning into dusk and a bit of night-time photography. Begin by focusing on the light streaming across the early spring grasses and historic structures and then concentrate on the night sky by capturing images of the Milky Way as it fills the sky. This class is weather-dependent.

Build Your Own Birdhouse

Date:
Apr 27, 2019 10:30am - noon
Cost:
$15 (includes all materials)
Phone:
720-898-7000

Learn about Western and Mountain Bluebirds, build a Bluebird house, and take it home with you. Register online. Ages 6-adult.

Family Workshop: Warm Winter Cocoa

Date:
Dec 09, 2018
Schedule:
10am–noon and 2-4pm
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the chocolate tree and its celebrated history. Follow the journey of a cacao bean and discover how chocolate is made. Then make hot chocolate from scratch and create a mix to take home. For families with children ages 5-10. All adults attending the workshop must register for the program.

Nature Walk Along Interurban Trolley Trail

Date:
Aug 06, 2019 6:30 - 8pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Stroll along with Arvada native Dean Bernard to learn about nature in and around Arvada. This walk is wheelchair/stroller accessible. Register online and meet at West 51st Avenue and Carr Street.

Thorne Nature Fall Fest with Jeff & Paige

Date:
Oct 12, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-499-3647

Celebrate the transition into fall with nature crafts, face-painting, nature explorations with Thorne staff, and music from Jeff & Paige. Light refreshments provided. Ages 3-10. Reservations required online.

Bald Eagle Discovery

Date:
Jun 08, 2019 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the fascinating history behind our nation’s symbol and why they thrive today.

La Calavera Catrina

Date:
Oct 14, 2017 to Nov 05, 2017
Cost:
Phone:

Join Denver Botanic Gardens in celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with an exploration of the iconic and elegant female skeleton know as La Catrina.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Feb 01, 2019 to Feb 28, 2019
Schedule:
Hours vary by age range
Cost:
$9-$13
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups. Week of Feb. 6: Fabulous Fungi; Feb. 13: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue; Feb. 20 Tropical Fruit Salad; Feb. 27: The Alphabet Garden

Children’s Strolling Stories Along Deer Creek

Date:
Oct 01, 2019 to Oct 31, 2019
Schedule:
Mon, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 9:30-10:30am
Cost:
$10, $8 member. Includes free admission for one adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Venture out along Deer Creek and investigate nature as it changes with the seasons. Along the trail, stop to read a seasonally-themed story and then continue with an exploration based on the day’s book. Ages 3-6.

SPREE Holiday Camp: Macroinvertebrate Mayhem

Date:
Oct 21, 2019 8am - 6pm
Cost:
$55
Phone:
720-306-8000

Learn about macroinvertebrates who are small animals without a backbone that can be seen with the naked eye. Get in the river with SPREE to discover and catch the macros living along its bottom. Age 6-5th grade.

Migratory Bird Walk

Date:
Jun 07, 2019 8 - 9:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Walk the park trails in search of the many migratory birds who make the park a temporary home. Age 10 and up. Age 10 and up.

Spring Raptors

Date:
Mar 16, 2019 10am
Cost:
Free; registration required: call 303-326-8650 or go online to auroragov.org/recreation to sign up
Phone:
303-326-8429

See live raptors and discover which of these magnificent birds comes through Aurora in the spring. Age 4 and up.

Painting with Tots

Date:
Mar 15, 2019
Schedule:
9:30-10:30am and 10:30-11:30am
Cost:
$15 per canvas
Phone:
720-898-7405

Participate in an outdoor, step-by-step tutorial where parents and kids paint an acrylic-on-canvas masterpiece. Register online.

Butterfly Pavilion $5 Day

Date:
Apr 21, 2018 9am - 5pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-469-5441

Explore the incredible world of invertebrates from land, air, and sea. Hold Rosie the tarantula, touch a starfish and crab, and walk among free-flying butterflies.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Nov 01, 2018 to Dec 31, 2018
Schedule:
First Thu and third Mon of each month, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world with special crafts, games, and activities.

Nature EdVentures: Nature Play

Date:
Apr 10, 2018 9:30 - 10:30am
Cost:
$10, $12 for non-Highlands Ranch residents
Phone:
303-791-2710

Discover nature through curiosity using dirt, sand, and more. Open space west of Sand Creek Park; meet at the trail connection near 8801 Wild Iris Run. Ages 3-6. Registration is required one week in advance at highlandsranch.org/signmeup.

BioBlitz with SPREE: Holiday Camp

Date:
Oct 22, 2018 to Oct 23, 2018
Cost:
Free. There is a charge for after-care services
Phone:
720-306-8000

Go on an outdoor BioBlitz to identify as many species as possible. For age 6 through 5th grade.

Family Day: Nature Never Sleeps

Date:
Dec 08, 2018 10am - 4pm
Schedule:
Drop in anytime during available hours
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-6892

Explore the dark side of nature, look at the stars, listen for the sounds of nocturnal animals, and learn about the exciting things that happen when the sun goes down.

Cosmic Campfire

Date:
Dec 14, 2019 8 - 9:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Roast a marshmallow over the campfire while viewing celestial sights. Register online.

Star K Kids

Date:
Jun 01, 2019 to Jun 30, 2019
Schedule:
Thu, 9:30am and 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Enjoy stories, activities, and discovery time on the trail. Age 5 and under with adult caregiver.

A Pollination Conversation

Date:
Apr 27, 2018 11am - noon
Cost:
$5
Phone:
720-898-7000

Jump into the gardens with a CSU master gardener to learn tips and tricks to make your garden buzz with bees, butterflies, and other Colorado pollinators. Discover why they are so important and what they need as you prepare your garden for spring. Registration required.

Migratory Bird Walk

Date:
Oct 05, 2019 8 - 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Walk the Walnut Creek trail in search of the many migratory birds who make the open space a temporary home. Register online.

Fossils: Clues to the Past

Date:
Dec 01, 2017 to Feb 28, 2018
Schedule:
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm; closed every Mon 11:45am-1:15pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-1666

See how fossils are studied and what things can be learned from them.

School of Snakes

Date:
Nov 23, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover the importance of the snake. In this program, participants will get to meet Betty the bullsnake to get an up-close look at what makes her so special. Ages 5-9.

Nature EdVentures: Birding Walk

Date:
May 11, 2018 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
$6 Highlands Ranch resident, $7 nonresident
Phone:
303-791-2710

Enjoy a slow walk along the High Line Canal to Spring Gulch Pond and discover some beautiful birds. Advance registration is required.

After School Club

Date:
Feb 07, 2018 to Feb 28, 2018
Schedule:
Wed
Cost:
$15 for 4 week session
Phone:
720-898-7405

Coincides with “After Nappers Club”: Enjoy fun, nature themed activities and exploration with a Majestic View naturalist. Participate in fun, hands-on learning. Ages 5-10. Register online at www.arvada.org/nature.

Ladies Fishing on the Fly

Date:
Aug 16, 2019 to Aug 17, 2019
Schedule:
Aug. 16, 6-9pm; Aug. 17, 8:30am-1pm
Cost:
$30 in advance and $35 at the door, if not sold out
Phone:
303-791-2500

Learn the art of fly fishing with the Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited along with the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association. There is one classroom session and an outdoor classroom and field trip. Age 16 and up.

Tipi Tot Time

Date:
Jun 20, 2019 9 - 9:45am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Gather in the coziness of a tipi while enjoying a nature-themed book. Ages 2-5.

Citizens for the River

Date:
Jun 22, 2019 Noon - 9pm
Cost:
Free admission but Kids Zone activity bracelets are $5 per child or $12 per family
Phone:

Enjoy a unique river festival that includes a River Rodeo of makeshift boats and costumed crews braving the small waves at Confluence Park; a Kids Zone with a climbing wall, stand up paddleboard demos, and a mini-slacklining course; and live music, vendors, and food.

Boo on the Bluff

Date:
Oct 26, 2019 10am - 1pm
Cost:
$3 per person, $15 per family
Phone:
720-708-4147

Trick or treat your way around Bluff Lake while visiting stations from partners that will host a variety of activities, crafts, and games.

CU Museum Family Day: Timeless Trees, Rooted in Evolution

Date:
Feb 09, 2019 to Mar 09, 2019
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-6892

Enjoy a fun-filled day that is all about trees. From real trees to trees of life to metaphorical trees, explore them all. The roots, the trunk, the bark, the branches, and leaves all have fascinating stories to tell of their 370 million years on planet Earth. Cake will be served in honor of Charles Darwin’s…

Ladies’ Fishing on the Fly

Date:
Aug 24, 2018 to Aug 25, 2018
Schedule:
Classroom, Fri, Aug. 24, 6-9pm; Outdoor Classroom and Field Trip, Sat, Aug. 25, 8:30am-1pm
Cost:
See website for details
Phone:
303-791-2500

Learn the art of fly fishing. There is one classroom session and an outdoor classroom and field trip. Ladies age 16 and up.

Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms

Date:
Sep 20, 2019 to Oct 27, 2019
Schedule:
Fri-Sun, 10am-6pm
Cost:
$12-$14 adult, $13 student/senior/military, $9-$11 ages 3-­12, free age 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Wind your way through seven acres of corn. The maze can be viewed from two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Visitors under the age of 10 can explore the mini corn maze.

Traveling Birds

Date:
Oct 13, 2018 8 - 9am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-425-1097

Stroll through Walnut Creek Golf Reserve and seek out the migratory birds that travel through the Front Range. Park day entrance fee or pass required.

Campfire at Autumn Equinox

Date:
Sep 20, 2019 7 - 8:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Celebrate the upcoming autumn equinox by roasting a marshmallow over the cracking fire and hear stories about how our local wildlife adapts to the changing season. Registration required.

Seedlings

Date:
May 01, 2018 to May 31, 2018
Schedule:
Tue-Wed, ages 3-6, 9:30 and 11am; Thu, ages 24-36 months, 9:30 and 10:45am; Fri, ages 18-24 months, 9:30 and 10:45am
Cost:
$9-$13
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of May 1: A Rainbow of Wildflowers; May 8: Garden Art; May 15: Inch by Inch; May 22: Life in the Pond; May 29: The Plants in Your Pizza.

Full STEAM Ahead: Beeswax Candle Making

Date:
Dec 08, 2018 11am - 12:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-441-3100

Make hand-dipped beeswax candles with beekeeper Tracy Bellehumeur. Learn how a beekeeper renders beeswax from start to finish and package candles with embellished gift tags. Reservations required. Ages 7-12.

SPREE Holiday Camp: Urban Animals

Date:
Nov 25, 2019 to Nov 26, 2019
Schedule:
Nov. 25 and 26
Cost:
$55/day
Phone:
720-306-8000

Learn about the many species of animals that create habitats in Denver and call the city and the South Platte River home. There will be games, crafts, adventures, and a top secret mission about the environment. For kids in kindergarten-5th grade.

Literature of the Land Book Club

Date:
Nov 08, 2017 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Read books with a specific nature theme every month. November's book is Ann Patchett’s novel “State of Wonder”.

Family Night: Stories and S’mores

Date:
May 19, 2019 5:30 - 8pm
Cost:
$9 adults and children, $7 member adults and children
Phone:
720-865-3500

Say goodbye to spring and celebrate the start of summer making s’mores, playing games, and exploring Mordecai Children’s Garden. Hear stories by Cliff Davidson.

Low Sensory Morning

Date:
Jul 21, 2018 8 - 9am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-865-3500

Experience a quiet and sensory-friendly visit to the Gardens before public hours. Visitors can connect with plants in a safe, restful location while engaging their senses and providing social enrichment. Visitors can explore the gardens on their own or participate in hands-on activities that inspire curiosity and awaken the senses, in the Sensory Garden. Registration…

Raptor ID

Date:
Dec 07, 2019 10am - 2pm
Cost:
$25
Phone:
720-898-7405

Join Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance for an in-depth and interactive seminar on how to identify Colorado's native raptor species. Registration required.

Nature Hike

Date:
Dec 07, 2019 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-697-6159

Go for a hike along a winding trail and learn about the flora, fauna, and history of the area with a park naturalist guide. Exact hike location will be provided upon required registration.

Grazing Goats

Date:
Jun 22, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
$3
Phone:
303-658-2796

Meet the goats who visit Standley Lake, who are local celebrities. Discover their important impact at the park and why everyone looks forward to their annual visits.

Nature Play Programs

Date:
Jun 04, 2018 to Aug 13, 2018
Schedule:
Mon, 9-11am; Wed, 1-3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-376-1049

Enjoy nature play programs in which children will connect to nature, play outdoors, and learn, in the labyrinth area near the library. Parent supervision required. All ages.

Hiwan Kids: Build a Birdhouse

Date:
Jul 24, 2018 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
Free; donations accepted
Phone:
720-497-7650

Construct a wooden birdhouse to attract native birds to your house. The class involves using nails and screws, so parents of younger children should plan to stay with them for the program. Registration is required.

Amazon Adventure 3D

Date:
Jun 02, 2018 to Nov 30, 2018
Schedule:
Wed-Sun, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
Cost:
$8-$17
Phone:
303-315-9444

Learn about the epic, true story of explorer Henry Bates' fascinating 11-year journey through the Amazon rain forest.

Bear Cubs Program: Frozen Fun

Date:
Dec 12, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-697-6159

Explore nature through stories, songs, and interactive programs. Registration required. Ages 3-5.

Gold, Gold, Gold Campfire

Date:
Jul 20, 2019 7 - 8:30pm
Cost:
$5 individual, $15 family
Phone:
720-898-7405

Hear some gold tales around the campfire as you roast marshmallows. Register online.

Seedlings: The Alphabet Garden

Date:
Jan 30, 2018 to Feb 02, 2018
Cost:
$11 for 18-36 month old, $9 member; $13 for 3-6 year old, $11 member.
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the alphabet while you wander your way through the world of plants. Discover the first letter of many plants and flowers. Ages vary by date.

School of Snakes

Date:
Feb 16, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Discover what makes snakes powerful predators of the grasslands. Online reservations required; use event code #910807. Ages 4-8.

Eating With Wildlife

Date:
Feb 09, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Come learn why we shouldn't feed wildlife by playing some interactive games with a naturalist. Ages 6-12.

Hands Dirty Feet Wet

Date:
Feb 16, 2018 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost:
Free.
Phone:
720-898-7405

Enjoy a nature playdate in the "Nature: Explore" space: climb on logs, jump stump to stump, build forts and more. Registration required.

Homeschool Day: Plant Detectives

Date:
Feb 25, 2019 10am - 2pm
Cost:
$12 per day, per child. Free for one adult per child. $7 additional adults and nonparticipating siblings over age two
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover how plant fibers become fabrics, investigate different types of wood and explore the journey of several plants as they become useful products we use every day. Activities are designed for children ages five and up, however all ages are welcome to attend.

Bear Cubs Program

Date:
Jul 19, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
$5 per child
Phone:
303-697-6159

Learn about the bugs of Bear Creek through stories, songs, and interactive programs. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required. Park entry fee required.

Orchid Showcase

Date:
Jan 10, 2019 to Feb 17, 2019
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-865-3500

See the annual exhibit that presents hundreds of colorful orchid blooms in the Orangery and Marnie’s Pavilion. Common and rare species are featured, some even so special they must remain behind the greenhouse glass.

A Butterfly’s Life

Date:
Jul 16, 2018 6 - 7:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-678-6214

Join volunteer naturalists for a slide program on butterflies, including information on the life cycle, behavior, host plants, identification tips, and more.

Family Workshop: Leprechaun Gardens

Date:
Mar 09, 2019 to Mar 17, 2019
Schedule:
Sat, March 9, and Sun, March 17, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover the legend of the leprechaun as you design and create a miniature garden to attract these mischievous garden friends. Each child will create a container garden to take home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10. Preregistration is required and class size is limited.

Zoo Snooze Family Overnight

Date:
Jun 28, 2019 to Jun 29, 2019
Schedule:
6pm to 9am the following morning
Cost:
$50 member, $60 nonmember, $40 groups of 5 or more
Phone:
303-469-5441

Experience up-close animal encounters, a nighttime exhibit tour, invertebrate-themed crafts, and games at a family sleepover. Age 5 and up. Reservations required.

One Fell Swoop by Patrick Dougherty

Date:
Apr 27, 2019 to Dec 31, 2019
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-865-3500

Walk through an immersive sculpture created by weaving flexible saplings into complex and whimsical architectural forms. The sculpture will remain on view until it naturally falls apart.

Nature EdVentures – Introduction to Geocaching

Date:
Sep 06, 2017 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:
303-791-2710

Bring a smart phone and join a park ranger to search for hidden caches while discovering the Highlands Ranch Metro District parks and trails. Advance registration required. $10 Highlands Ranch resident, $12 nonresident.

Bumblebee Jamboree

Date:
Mar 24, 2018 10:30 - 11:30am
Cost:
$12 adult, $10 member adult, $7 child, $5 member child, free for children age 2 and under
Phone:
720-865-3500

Dress as a favorite pollinator such as a bee, butterfly, or bird and dance and sing along with the local musical guests. Age 12 and under, with parents.

Star K Kids

Date:
Mar 07, 2019 to May 30, 2019
Schedule:
Thu, 9:30 and 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, kid-friendly activities, and discovery time on the trail. Age 5 and under.

Nature Playdate

Date:
Apr 06, 2019 to Apr 27, 2019
Schedule:
April 6 at Sand Creek Park; April 27 at Morrison Nature Center
Cost:
Free; register online or by phone
Phone:
303-326-8445

Go on a playdate for an hour of fun in nature. Age 6 and under with adult/caregiver.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Jul 05, 2018 to Jul 16, 2018
Schedule:
First Thu and third Mon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.

Freaky Friday the 13th Full Moon Hike

Date:
Sep 13, 2019 6:30 - 8pm
Cost:
$12, $10 for non-Highlands Ranch residents
Phone:
303-791-2710

Listen to eerie Colorado myths and legends by twilight and discover what is prowling the ranch while everyone else sleeps. Take a hike to observe nocturnal animals and get hands-on with skins and skulls. Registration is required.

Thursday Tot Time

Date:
Sep 20, 2018 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
Free but park pass required
Phone:
303-425-1097

Attend nature programs provided for young explorers including a tot-size hike and a nature-based craft or game. Ages 3-5.

Campfire Programs

Date:
Jun 16, 2018 to Aug 11, 2018
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-697-6159

Roast marshmallows around the campfire and learn about a different nature topic each night. Registration required. Park entry fee required. Dates and hours vary.

Weather and Climate Tours

Date:
Aug 22, 2018 to May 31, 2019
Schedule:
Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-4pm. Public tours Mon, Wed, and Fri at noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-497-1174

Enjoy an informative view of weather and climate at a science laboratory and explore interactive exhibits.

Junior Rangers: Gardening

Date:
May 12, 2019 1:30 - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Learn about gardening and get some practice in a sensory garden. Registration required; register online or call 303-326-8650. Ages 6-12.

Bald Eagle Discovery

Date:
Jun 01, 2019 9 - 10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Learn the fascinating history behind our nation’s symbol and why they thrive today.

Annual Plant Sale

Date:
May 17, 2018 to May 19, 2018
Schedule:
May 17-19, 10am-7pm
Cost:
Free admission
Phone:
303-307-9332

Shop more than 70 varieties of tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and herbs grown from heirloom and organic seeds. Farm tours are $5 per person age 2 and up. Saturday, May 19 is a SCFD Free Day and includes festival highlighting local vendors participating in Plant, Eat, and Get Local.

Low Sensory Evening

Date:
Aug 10, 2019 5:30 - 7:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-865-3500

Experience Denver Botanic Gardens’ Mordecai Children’s Garden without the crowds and connect with plants in a safe, restful location. This therapeutic horticulture program is intended to give individuals and families who prefer a quiet, less crowded environment a chance to experience the gardens with limited attendance. Registration required.

Resident Reptiles

Date:
Jun 02, 2019 6 - 7pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Meet Betty the Bullsnake and Vern the Box Turtle, Standley Lake’s animal ambassadors.

Winter Heritage Day

Date:
Jan 28, 2018 1pm - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-776-8848

Learn what pioneer settlers did to prepare for Colorado’s long winters. See a working blacksmith demonstration and smell food being prepared on the wood stove.

Garden Harvest

Date:
Sep 08, 2019 10am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
312-806-6387

Help harvest vegetables like beans, zucchini, and tomatoes. After the harvest, help deliver the produce to a local food bank. Help to weed the garden to prepare for the next batch of products. Registration required. Age 6-12.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
Sep 06, 2018 to Sep 17, 2018
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world with special crafts, games, or activities, just swing by and explore.

Dean’s Nature Walk

Date:
Jul 09, 2019 6:30 - 8pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Learn about nature in and around Arvada, near Churches Ranch. Meet at Bird's Nest Disk Golf Park. Register online.

Hungry Birds

Date:
Jul 25, 2018 to Dec 31, 2018
Schedule:
Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat, 9am-4pm; Sun, 10am-4pm
Cost:
Free; $3 adult, $1 child/senior donation appreciated
Phone:
303-492-6892

See the photography of David Leatherman while learning about the food birds eat and what sustains them through the seasons.

Spring Plant Sale

Date:
May 10, 2019 to May 11, 2019
Schedule:
May 10, 8am-6pm; May 11, 8am-5pm
Cost:
Free admission to the gardens and sale
Phone:
720-865-3500

Shop fifteen plant divisions including annuals, herbs, and houseplants, staffed by experts who can answer your plant questions and offer advice.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Nov 01, 2019 to Nov 30, 2019
Cost:
$14 child, $12 member child, includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Participate in interactive explorations, nature walks, and stories for children and their caregivers. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of Nov. 1: Pumpkin Arts; Nov. 6: Owls; Nov. 14: Harvest Treasures; Nov. 20: Cornucopia. For ages 18 months-6 years.

Bear Cubs Program: Frozen Frogs

Date:
Nov 08, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-697-6159

Learn about the special ways frogs survive the winter. Snack included. Registration required. Ages 3-5.

Pollinator Week

Date:
Jun 17, 2019 to Jun 22, 2019
Schedule:
9am-5pm
Cost:
Free-$12
Phone:
303-469-5441

Discover the wonders of pollinators like bees and butterflies and learn about their important contributions to our world. Get inspired to conserve them with this fun, weeklong celebration for the whole family featuring live animal encounters, hands-on activities and games, special tastings, and chats with real scientists.

Junior Rangers

Date:
Aug 11, 2019 9:30 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Learn about Aurora's true nature by exploring Star K Ranch. This month's topic is about bats. Registration required. Ages 6-12.

Meet the Woodpeckers: Downy and Hairy

Date:
Jan 12, 2018 11am - noon
Schedule:
Meeting location will be sent to registered participants
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-776-8688

Discover habits of woodpeckers through hands-on activities and learn where to look for them. Ages 5-10 with adult. Reservations required online.

SPREE Holiday Camp: Tracks & Scat

Date:
Oct 18, 2019 8am - 6pm
Cost:
$55
Phone:
303-743-9720

Find out all you can learn about an animal just by observing what they leave behind. Learn how to identify Colorado animals by the interesting clues we find in our parks and trails. Age 6-5th grade.

Nature Nerds Family Club: Mud Pies

Date:
Apr 06, 2019 10:30am - noon
Cost:
$4-$14 and includes admission to Butterfly Pavilion
Phone:
303-469-5441

Unleash your inner sculptor by going outside, discovering the perfect ratio of dirt to water, and making mud pies. Find a worm or a roly-poly, build a castle, or make a mud-painting. Ages 4-10. Pre-registration is required.

Children’s Peace Garden Field Trips

Date:
Mar 15, 2018 to Oct 26, 2018
Schedule:
Ongoing by appointment
Cost:
$4 per student spring and fall ($60 total minimum); $6 per student summer ($105 total minimum)
Phone:
303-443-9952

Engage students in hands-on activities for up to three hours, focused on local food, organic gardening, and biodiversity. Reservations required. All ages and types of groups welcome.

Growing Gardens Community Plant Sales

Date:
May 04, 2019 to May 19, 2019
Schedule:
May 4, 5, 11, 13, 18, and 19
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-443-9952

Attend Growing Gardens' annual plant sale; offering veggie and herb starts as well as annual and perennials. On May 11 and 18, there will be a Fairy Garden Station for children to create whimsical miniature gardens.

Family Workshop: Miniature Japanese Garden

Date:
Jul 14, 2018 to Jul 28, 2018
Schedule:
July 14 and 28
Cost:
$17 child, $15 child member, $12 adult, $10 adult member
Phone:
720-865-3500

Journey to the land of the rising sun and discover the unique features of the Denver Botanic Gardens' Japanese garden. Each child will design and create a miniature Japanese garden to take home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10.

Birds!

Date:
Apr 09, 2019 11am
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
303-604-2424

Learn everything there is to know about local birds. Participate in fun hands-on activities, learn bird watching tips, and compare wing spans with some amazing birds.

Chipotle Film Series: Hanna Ranch

Date:
Nov 14, 2017 6:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

See three films relating to sustainable food practices, organic farming and community agriculture. Each evening includes food provided by Chipotle, a screening of the film, and a post-film panel discussion. $5.

Dolphins, Sea Turtles, and Other Ocean Creatures

Date:
Apr 03, 2019 to May 22, 2019
Schedule:
Wed, April 3-May 22, 4-5:30pm
Cost:
$72 for 8 weeks
Phone:
720-898-7000

Splash into this fun, artistic exploration of the deep blue sea. Create artwork inspired by the animals that inhabit the watery realms of our blue planet. Ages 6-14.

Seedlings: Winter Greenhouse Gardens

Date:
Jan 23, 2018 to Jan 26, 2018
Cost:
$11 for 18-36 month old, $9 member; $13 for 3-6 year old, $11 member.
Phone:
720-865-3500

Bring a little green indoors this winter creating a beautiful terrarium to take home.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Apr 01, 2018 to Apr 30, 2018
Schedule:
Tues-Wed (ages 3-6), 9:30 and 11am; Thu (ages 24-36 months), 9:30 and 10:45am; Fri (ages 18-24 months), 9:30 and 10:45am
Cost:
$9-$13
Phone:
720-865-3500

Enjoy a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world, while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Topics vary by date including Cool Season Veggies, Painting with Plants, Earth Day, and…

History Hounds: North Table Mountain

Date:
Aug 04, 2018 9 - 11am
Cost:
$15-$35
Phone:
303-866-2394

Walk your dog and learn about history. Take a historic and geological walking tour of North Table Mountain along the North Table Loop Trail to the Golden Cliffs. Visit website for exact location of walk.

Understanding Essential Oils

Date:
Nov 04, 2017 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Learn why some plants produce essential oils and how the oils are sourced and produced. $34, $29 member.

Thursday Tot Time

Date:
Apr 04, 2019 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
$1
Phone:
303-658-2796

Go on a short hike and enjoy a nature-based game, craft, or storytime. Online reservations required. Ages 2-5.

World Oceans Day

Date:
Jun 08, 2019 9am - 5pm
Cost:
Free-$12
Phone:
303-469-5441

Discover the wonders of the ocean’s invertebrates and get inspired to conserve them with this fun event for the whole family featuring live animal encounters, hands-on activities and games, and chats with real scientists.

Miniature Garden Family Workshop: Summertime Fairies

Date:
Aug 05, 2017
Cost:
Phone:

10am-noon and 2-4pm. Create miniature lands for mystical garden friends. Discover what plants fairies prefer as you design, plant and landscape a tiny oasis for a fairy. Each child will create a container garden to take home. Family Workshops are a great way for families to spend time together while discovering the beauty, diversity and…

Telescope Night at Lagniappe

Date:
Dec 05, 2017
Cost:
FREE
Phone:
720-898-7405

After dark. Look for Naturalists from Majestic View Nature Center and Lookout Mountain Nature Center down in Olde Town near the water fountain to look at the stars.

Wonder-Filled Wednesday

Date:
Nov 28, 2018 9:30 - 10:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-6892

Visit the Discovery Corner for a hands-on introduction to the world of science and nature. Examine museum specimens, make crafts, and hear a story.

Sunset Kayak Adventure

Date:
Aug 09, 2019 to Aug 23, 2019
Schedule:
Aug. 9 and 23, 6-8pm
Cost:
$3
Phone:
303-326-8429

Look for wildlife and watch the sunset from a kayak on Aurora Reservoir. Age 12 and up. Registration required.

Family Workshop: Winter Fairies

Date:
Jan 20, 2019
Schedule:
10-11:30am and 2-3:30pm
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Create miniature lands for mystical garden friends. Discover what plants fairies prefer as you design, plant, and landscape a tiny oasis for a fairy. Each child can create a container garden to take home. Ages 5-10. All adults attending the workshop must register for the program.

Bird Walk

Date:
Nov 09, 2019 8:30 - 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8445

Go for a walk to observe different birds out and about in the area. Age 8 and up.

Cub Scout Day

Date:
Apr 20, 2019 10am - 3pm
Cost:
Free-$12. Group rates are also available
Phone:
303-469-5441

Attend an event especially for Cub Scouts for animal encounters, and outdoor explorations to meet adventure requirements centered on outdoor exploration, respect for plants and wildlife, and making our world a better place. Preregistration is required. Email Marissa at mcopan@butterflies.org for any questions.

Bird Banding Club

Date:
Feb 13, 2018 to May 15, 2018
Schedule:
4-5:30pm on select days
Cost:
$125 for 8 sessions; scholarships available
Phone:
303-499-3647 ext. 103

Learn about the art and science of bird banding, gain skills in field identification, and more. Ages 11-15. Email gwen@thornenature.org for more details.

Renew the Ranch Volunteer Day

Date:
May 19, 2018 9 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-240-4909

Help clean up Highlands Ranch’s natural open space areas and parks. To volunteer, contact Kari Larese at 720-240-4909 or klarese@highlandsranch.org. After you register, you will be contacted with the location you will be assigned to.

Menorah Making Hanukkah Party

Date:
Dec 22, 2019 10am - noon
Cost:
Free for adults, $5 suggested donation for children
Phone:
303-399-2660

Get ready for the first night of Hanukkah by making your own Menorah. Join in a scavenger hunt around the JCC to collect different materials to create your masterpiece. Get in a few rounds of Dreidel and win some gelt.

Zoo Snooze

Date:
Apr 26, 2019 to Apr 27, 2019
Schedule:
6pm overnight to 8:45am
Cost:
$60 nonmembers, $50 members, $40 each for groups of 5 or more
Phone:
720-974-1877

Get ready for a Zoopendous overnight exploring the secret world of the Pavilion after dark. Enjoy a pizza dinner and breakfast sponsored by Snooze, an AM eatery. For families with children age 5 and up. Participants 16 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and a minimum of one adult per 5 kids…

Family Workshop: Leprechaun Gardens

Date:
Mar 10, 2018
Schedule:
10am-noon and 2-4pm
Cost:
$17 child, $15 member child, $12 adult, $10 member adult
Phone:
720-865-3500

Discover the legend of the leprechaun as you design and create a miniature garden to attract these mischievous garden friends. Each child creates a container garden to take home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10.

Hiking Play: Invaders from Planet 9

Date:
Sep 15, 2018 to Oct 28, 2018
Schedule:
Select days through Oct. 28. In Sept, meet at 11:30am; hike starts at noon. In Oct, meet at 2:30; hike starts at 3pm
Cost:
$15-$20
Phone:
303-440-7666

Enjoy a play about extraterrestrials, paying homage to classic science fiction stories from the 1950s, accompanied by an easy hike. Sponsored by Arts in the Open. Reservations required.

Family Make and Take

Date:
Nov 17, 2019
Schedule:
10-11am, 11am-noon, 12:30-2pm
Cost:
$12-$15 per project; free for accompanying adults
Phone:
720-865-3500

Make a wreath using natural garden materials from colorful dried leaves to pine cones. Materials provided are appropriate for children age 5 and up.

After School Garden Club

Date:
Sep 11, 2018 to Oct 02, 2018
Schedule:
Every Tue 3:45-5:15pm
Cost:
$15 per class; $50 when registering for all class sessions
Phone:
303-443-9952

Explore the tools of gardening, put the garden to bed, enjoy fruits and vegetables, and save seeds for next year. Ages 4-11. Reservations encouraged.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Oct 01, 2019 to Oct 31, 2019
Cost:
$14 child, $12 member child, includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Classes include interactive explorations, nature walks, and stories for children and their caregivers. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups, ages 18 months to 6 years. Week of Oct. 2: Prairie Plants; Oct. 9: Curious Corn; Oct. 16: Three Sisters Garden;…

Earth Day: The Natural Alphabet of the Earth

Date:
Apr 22, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$15, $18 for non-Highlands Ranch residents
Phone:
303-791-2710

Explore the wisdom and playfulness of nature and celebrate Earth Day. In this two-hour family friendly program, take a gentle 3-mile walk along the Highline Canal with camera in tow. Registration is required one week in advance at highlandsranch.org/signmeup.

Solstice, Moonbeams, & Stars Family Astronomy

Date:
Jun 16, 2018 7 - 10pm
Cost:
$25 adults, free age 12 and under
Phone:
970-586-3262

Take part in hands-on activities that explain how our days get longer and shorter on the weekend before the summer solstice.

Summer Solstice Sunset Walk

Date:
Jun 21, 2019 7:30 - 8:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Celebrate the passage of spring into summer walking the trails on the longest day of the year. Unearth the years of history behind solstice celebrations and the wildlife that thrives under the summer sun.

Astronomy Night

Date:
Dec 13, 2019 8:30 - 9:30pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-658-2796

Gaze into the night sky using high-powered telescopes to view celestial objects. The Denver Astronomical Society will share the facts and fantasy behind the planets and constellations being observed. Space is limited.

Bald Eagle Discovery

Date:
Apr 13, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Unveil the adaptations that led the bald eagle to become America's national symbol and the complicated past the species holds.

Family Workshop: Build a Fairy Garden

Date:
Aug 05, 2018
Schedule:
10am-noon and 2-4pm
Cost:
$10-$17
Phone:
720-865-3500

Create miniature lands for mystical garden friends. Each child will create a container garden to take home. Classes are designed for families with children ages 5-10.

Growing Gardens School Day Off: Gifts From The Garden

Date:
Nov 26, 2019 8:30am - 3:30pm
Cost:
$80
Phone:
303-443-9952

Explore the gifts of the garden. Working together, enjoy the stillness of the season to create gifts. Explore the art of hand dipped candles, salves and tinctures, and tasty garden-based recipes. Reserve spot online by the Friday before the program. Ages 5-11.

Barr Lake Birders

Date:
Jun 23, 2018 10am - noon
Cost:
$7 daily park pass or state parks annual pass required
Phone:
303-659-6005

Enjoy a community atmosphere while learning about the birding world. Ages 6-15. Sign up by phone.

Tea Time in the Garden

Date:
Aug 21, 2019 11am - noon
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Have some tea and listen to nature stories. Registration required. Age 10 and under.

Discover Cartooning with Nature

Date:
Apr 04, 2018 to May 23, 2018
Schedule:
Wed, 4-5pm
Cost:
$72 for 8-week session
Phone:
720-898-7000

Learn to draw and sketch animal cartoons to impress your friends or illustrate your room. Enjoy this after-school series with artist David Sullivan and bring a snack. Register online. Ages 6-12.

SPREE Holiday Camp: Camping 101

Date:
Apr 29, 2019 8am - 6pm
Cost:
$50 child per day. Aftercare $6 child per day
Phone:
720-306-8000

Learn camping skills during the day, and make treats at the firepit along the South Platte River. Age 6 and up.

Paint A Masterpiece in Nature

Date:
Nov 03, 2018 10 - 11am
Cost:
$15, all supplies included
Phone:
720-898-7405

Create a nature-themed masterpiece in this outdoor, instructor-led, step-by-step tutorial. Ages 5-12. Register online.

Cactus & Succulent Plant Sale

Date:
Mar 31, 2018 to Apr 01, 2018
Schedule:
9am-4:30pm both days
Cost:
Included with admission
Phone:
720-443-1026

Shop the largest succulent sale in the state. Buy kid-friendly plants, learn about plant care from local growers, and attend free how-to workshops.

You: A Habitat Hero

Date:
Apr 18, 2018 5:30 - 6:30pm
Cost:
$5
Phone:
720-898-7000

Learn the practice of landscape stewardship called “wildscaping,” wildlife-friendly landscape design with the Audubon Rockies. They will walk you through the gardens and point out different habitats in the Majestic View Gardens so you can create “wild” backyard habitats too. Registration required. Age 5 and up.

Croquet in Bloom

Date:
Aug 12, 2017 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Play in a family-friendly, summertime croquet tournament for the Denver Botanic Cup. Prizes will be awarded each month and the finalists of each month will be invited to play in the grand final tournament in September. $15 participant, $5 for spectator.

Drop-In Discovery

Date:
May 01, 2019 to May 31, 2019
Schedule:
First Thu and third Mon of each month, 10am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, and activities.

Family Workshop: Build a Fairy Garden

Date:
Sep 16, 2018
Schedule:
10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm
Cost:
$17 child, $15 member child, $12 adult, $10 member adult
Phone:
303-637-8000

Create miniature lands for mystical garden friends. Discover which plants fairies fancy as you design, plant, and landscape a tiny fairy oasis. Each child creates a container garden to take home. Designed for children ages 5-10.

Lake Appreciation Day

Date:
Jul 13, 2019 8am - 3pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-659-6005

Bring your family, friends, scout group, and/or coworkers for volunteer projects. Enjoy a barbecue lunch and fun activities in the afternoon. Includes park admission for volunteers. RSVP by calling 303-659-6005.

Sombrero Marsh Family Visits

Date:
Feb 26, 2018 to Dec 31, 2018
Schedule:
Mon-Tue, 1-5pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-499-3647

Experience nature at the marsh, view exhibits, check out an exploration backpack, and more.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Mar 01, 2018 to Mar 31, 2018
Schedule:
Hours and days vary by age group
Cost:
$9-$13
Phone:
720-865-3500

Enjoy a hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world, while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. Seedlings programs are offered for three different age groups and are modified to fit the developmental needs of each group. Week of March 6: Very Hungry Caterpillars; March 13: Carnivorous Plants up Close; March 20:…

Prairie Dog Town

Date:
Aug 25, 2019 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Join a park naturalist and visit the largest prairie dog town on the north side of the park. Registration required.

Fall Plant and Bulb Sale

Date:
Sep 27, 2019 to Sep 28, 2019
Schedule:
Sept. 27-28
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-865-3500

Shop for hundreds of bulbs and plants, and get expert advice from horticulturists. Includes free admission to the gardens.

Summer Heritage Evening: Livestock

Date:
Jul 27, 2019 4 - 7pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-776-8848

Visit with costumed volunteers as they demonstrate late 1800s rural games and chores. Meet animals up close at the petting zoo and learn about the language of flowers.

Astronomy Night

Date:
Nov 01, 2019 6 - 8pm
Cost:
$8
Phone:
303-326-8380

Take a tour of our solar system using Hubble Telescope images, observing everything from Mercury to Pluto and beyond. Age 6 and up.

Full Moon Hikes

Date:
May 29, 2018 7pm
Cost:
$7 daily park pass or state parks annual pass required
Phone:
303-659-6005

Discover some interesting relationships and little known moon facts. There will be refreshments after the hike. RSVP by phone. Age 6 and up.

Gifts from the Herb Garden

Date:
Nov 16, 2017 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost:
Phone:

Learn how to make healing calendula/lavender lip balm, ginger/rose hip honey, decadent chocolate chili clusters and an aromatic mulling mix for wine and cider. Recipes, light snacks and take home samples included. $54-$59.

After Nappers Club

Date:
Feb 07, 2018 to Feb 28, 2018
Schedule:
Wed.
Cost:
$15 for 4 week session.
Phone:
720-898-7405

Coincides with “After School Club." Let a naturalist guide kids through outdoor weekly activities and adventures. Hike at a toddler pace, use all five senses, and encourage exploration. Ages 2-4 with adult. Register online.

Bugs in Winter

Date:
Dec 07, 2019 10:30am - noon
Cost:
$6-$14 adults, $4-$6 ages 2-12. Includes admission to the Butterfly Pavilion
Phone:
303-469-5441

Get snug as a bug in a rug with an exploration of hibernating bugs. Through games and crafts, discover where bugs go in the winter and how they survive freezing temperatures. Leave with a Bugs in Winter family picture. Registration required.

World Wetlands Day

Date:
Feb 03, 2018 9am - 5pm
Cost:
$12 adults, $10 adult Westminster resident, $9 seniors, $8 children, free under age 2
Phone:
303-439-2379

Explore the diversity of wetland invertebrates and learn about habitat conservation.

Nature EdVentures: Highpoint Hike

Date:
Oct 12, 2019 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
$10-$12
Phone:
303-791-2710

Make the trek to the highest point in Highlands Ranch and take in the view with a Highlands Ranch Metro District park ranger. Age 6 and up with parent. Registration required.

Hiking With All 5 Senses

Date:
Sep 14, 2019 to Sep 28, 2019
Schedule:
Sept. 14 and 28, noon–1:30pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-326-8424

Immerse yourself in nature and learn tips to make your nature walks more enjoyable. Registration required. Age 5 and up.

Low Sensory Morning

Date:
Jun 06, 2019 8 - 9:30am
Cost:
$10 nonmember adult, $6 nonmember child, $6 member adult, $4 member child
Phone:
303-469-5441

Experience the Butterfly Pavilion in a unique way with a guided interpretation in each exhibit, optional activity guides, and an interactive storytime program. Good for all ages.

Now I See You, Now I Don’t

Date:
Sep 30, 2017 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Cost:
Phone:
720-898-7405

Learn all about one of nature's greatest defenses - camouflage. Ages 3-6. $5.

Nature Hikes

Date:
Feb 02, 2019 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
$5
Phone:
303-697-6159

Hike along a winding trail and learn about the flora, fauna, and history of the area from a park naturalist. Bring water and sunscreen. Register in advance.

Preschool Fun with Animals

Date:
Sep 04, 2019 to Sep 25, 2019
Schedule:
10-10:45am
Cost:
$15 for 4 weeks
Phone:
720-898-7405

Take little ones to learn about the worlds of foxes, raccoons, bugs, and frogs. Ages 3-6. Registration required.

Winter Tales

Date:
Feb 15, 2019 10 - 11am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
720-898-7405

Cozy up by a warm fire for storytime with a few good nature books. Ages 2-8.

Nature’s Engineers

Date:
Oct 20, 2018 10 - 11:30am
Cost:
Free but park admission is required
Phone:
303-425-1097

Explore nature’s engineers that build their own homes at Standley Lake. Learn about how they drastically change their environment and the adaptations that help them create amazing structures.

The Commedia of Robin Hood

Date:
Jun 02, 2018 to Jul 01, 2018
Schedule:
Select days
Cost:
$20 adult, $17 members, $18 Colorado Mountain Club members, $15 children under age 10
Phone:
303-442-3282

Enjoy a hiking play presented by Arts in the Open, featuring puppets, singing, mock combat, and more. The hike is approximately two miles in length; bring a camping chair or blanket to sit on while watching the scenes.

Bilingual Yoga

Date:
Nov 18, 2017 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Cost:
Phone:

Learn and practice Vinyasa yoga. $5 suggested donation.

Family Visits at the Marsh

Date:
Mar 01, 2019 to Dec 31, 2019
Schedule:
Wed during the school year, Tue during the summer. Closed on Dec. 25
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-499-3647

Enjoy hands-on self-guided exploration. Chat with an educator, and grab an exploration backpack of activities and supplies. Then head on out to the marsh to identify tracks, listen to songbirds, and catch critters in a net.

Seedlings Classes

Date:
Sep 01, 2019 to Sep 30, 2019
Cost:
$14 child, $12 member child, includes one adult entry per registration
Phone:
720-865-3500

Explore the plant world while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants and their importance. Classes include interactive explorations, nature walks, and stories for children and their caregivers. Week of Sept. 4: Magical Monarchs; Sept. 11: Bug Bungalows; Sept. 18: Apples and Cinnamon; Sept. 25: Fall Frolic. Ages 18 months to 6 years.

Tripod Photography

Date:
Feb 03, 2018 7:45am - 9am
Cost:
$13.50 members, $15 nonmembers
Phone:
720-974-1877

Relish a quiet hour of tripod photography in the tropical rainforest.

Discovery Corner

Date:
Nov 27, 2017 to Nov 30, 2018
Schedule:
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-492-1666

Discover, design, doodle, and more, in the museum’s new and improved play space in which children can touch real museum specimens.

Growing Gardens Plant Sale

Date:
May 06, 2018 to May 20, 2018
Schedule:
May 5-6, 12,-13, 19-20; 8am-4pm
Cost:
Free admission; cost varies for plants
Phone:
303-443-9952

Find a great selection of organic and bee-safe tomato, vegetable, and herb starts that are grown in Growing Gardens’ greenhouses. All proceeds benefit Growing Gardens’ nonprofit agriculture education programs.

Nature Playdate

Date:
Mar 23, 2019 10am
Cost:
Free but registration required by calling 303-326-8650 or go online to auroragov.org/recreation to sign up
Phone:
303-326-8445

Bring the young ones to discover nature through play and interaction with other kids. Age 5 and under.

Thursday Tot-Time

Date:
Nov 15, 2018 10 - 10:45am
Cost:
Free
Phone:
303-658-2796

Enjoy nature programs designed for the youngest of explorers. Activities include a hike and a fun nature-based craft, game, or story. Ages 3-5. Register online.

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