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.
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.
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.
Look at the stars in the center square just west of the library.
Go on an adventure with Lookout Mountain Nature Center for nighttime discovery. Meet in Olde Town Arvada Square just west of the library.
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.
Follow a park naturalist along trails and green spaces. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, dress for weather conditions, and bring water. Register in advance.
Take a virtual tour to Cuba with Joe McMillan. Register online. Age 10 and up.
Visit the gardens for free thanks to SCFD funding.
Discover the many uses of the mint plant in this sweet-smelling class. Age ranges vary by date.
Use artistic skills to discover animals, plants, and weather in a place where it is always warm, the tropical rain forest. Register online.
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.
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.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
Investigate the interactive natural world with special crafts, games, or activities, just swing by and explore.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, and activities.
After dark. Come take a peek at the coolest celestial body in the sky.
See how fossils are studied and what things can be learned from them.
Join Exploration Universe for hands-on science experiments and activities. All ages. Included with admission.
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.
Join a native plant master and a park ranger on a hike up to Highlands Point. Advance registration is required. Age 8 and up.
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).
Explore a wide variety of garden settings for free.
Dive into shark biology, touch shark jaws, teeth, and skin, play a few fishy games, and then spend some time roasting marshmallows.
Learn about the prairie ecosystem and the cultural history of Colorado.
Read books with a specific nature theme every month. November's book is Ann Patchett’s novel “State of Wonder”.
Participate in hands-on exploration of the plant world, and develop 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 Dec. 4: Magnificent Mint; Dec. 11: Three Cheers for Evergreens; Dec. 18: Jumping Gingerbread.
Learn about native fungi species and bring in specimens for identification.
Explore outside during these special outdoor nature playdates. Register online.
Learn all about the sneakiest animals in Rocky Mountain National Park and what it is like to walk in their paws. Ages 4-6.
Go on an outdoor BioBlitz to identify as many species as possible. For age 6 through 5th grade.
Create a nature-themed masterpiece in this outdoor, instructor-led, step-by-step tutorial. Ages 5-12. Register online.
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.
Experience nature at the marsh, view exhibits, check out an exploration backpack, and more.
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.
Learn about wildlife, plants, and climate, meet birds of prey, hunt for prizes, enjoy children's theater, and more.
Visit the York Street location for free.
Learn a little about the season and create a pumpkin. Explore the natural environment through stories and songs. Ages 3-5. Registration required.
Walk alongside the park naturalist and discover the beauty of fall at Standley Lake. Limited to 15 spaces. Registration required.
Take a break from the hectic holiday season with a relaxing and rejuvenating creative writing retreat at the Plains Conservation Center with Denver Botanic Gardens. $59, $55 member.
Learn how everything is connected in the world through hands-on activities, multi-media displays, and specimens from the museum’s collection.
Get into the holiday spirit by making pinecone ornaments. Ages 3-8. Register online.
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.
Discover, design, doodle, and more, in the museum’s new and improved play space in which children can touch real museum specimens.
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.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
Enjoy a slow walk along the High Line Canal to Spring Gulch Pond and discover some beautiful birds. Advance registration is required.
Discover how pikas store food, avoid danger, and thrive in the cold climate. Ages 5-10 with accompanying adult. Register online.
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.
Learn how birds survive the freezing temperatures during Colorado winters.
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…
Visit the York Street location for free.
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.
See the Polynesian Princess visit Butterfly Pavilion in search of heroes ready to fulfill their destiny. Enjoy songs, glowing scorpions, and free-flying butterflies.
Take the kids to spend time outdoors connecting with nature. Register online.
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.
Cozy up by a warm fire for storytime with a few good nature books. Ages 2-8.
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.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities. Just swing by and explore.
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.
Learn what plants need to grow while digging in the dirt and helping plant and harvest veggies in WOW!'s garden.
Practice yoga in a tropical conservatory filled with free-flying butterflies. Adults only, children age 13 and older may attend with an adult.
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…
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.
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.
Shop for hundreds of bulbs and plants, and get expert advice from horticulturists.
Visit the gardens in a rural setting for free.
Get up close and personal with a special friend from the Downtown Aquarium as you learn all about them and their adaptations. Register online.
Create artwork from natural items gathered in the open space. Ages 3-6. Registration is required one week in advance at highlandsranch.org/signmeup.
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.
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.
Learn the art of fly fishing. There is one classroom session and an outdoor classroom and field trip. Ladies age 16 and up.
Take a walk around the Spring Gulch Equestrian Area to sight tracks and identify which animal left them. Dress appropriately for the weather. Registration is required one week in advance.
Learn about the special ways frogs survive the winter. Snack included. Registration required. Ages 3-5.
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.
Play in the Nature: Explore space and climb, dig, jump, and dive into nature and connect with the world. Registration required.
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…
Visit the Plains Conservation Center, including ecological and historical programming, wagon rides, games, and refreshments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn about the bugs of Bear Creek through stories, songs, and interactive programs. Ages 3-5 with adult. Registration required. Park entry fee required.
Slither into WOW! for a special presentation all about snakes with My Nature Lab.
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.
Visit the seasonal habitat that is home to hundreds of native butterflies, such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks, and painted ladies.
Learn more about bees and beekeeping. Register online.
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.
Celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the outdoors. Learn about interaction with water, pick up trash, and make a recycled craft.
Learn about these amazing birds and their corvid cousins. Register online.
Explore history outdoors while playing classic games and learning about native plants. Registration is required.
Learn about worms by exploring in the garden. Ages 3-6. Register online.
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.
Drop in for an afternoon of outdoor survival crafting.
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…
Discover the predators of the Front Range. Online registration required.
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.
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.
Create your own miniature terrarium world, complete with a small plant, rocks, and colorful touches. Reservations required.
Visit Denver Botanic Gardens' property at the Plains Conservation Center for free thanks to SCFD.
Explore the carnivorous creatures that call Standley Lake home.
Enjoy a nature playdate in the "Nature: Explore" space: climb on logs, jump stump to stump, build forts and more. Registration required.
Follow the trails of Lakewood's Bear Creek Lake Park and surrounding green spaces, led by a park naturalist guide. Registration required.
Learn garden-design basics and planting tips from a Jefferson County CSU Master Gardener. Register online.
Enjoy a nature playdate. Register online.
Learn about selecting and starting baby chicks, setting up a secure home, and keeping your growing chickens happy and healthy. Register in advance.
Come learn why we shouldn't feed wildlife by playing some interactive games with a naturalist. Ages 6-12.
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 Jan. 9: Painting with Plants; Jan. 16: Winter Wonderland; Jan. 23: Dinosaur…
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.
Stroll pathways leading to various themed gardens for free, thanks to an SCFD free day.
Join volunteer naturalists for a hands-on program to learn about local animals. Visit the historic ranch house after the program.
Learn the art of fly fishing. There is one classroom session and an outdoor classroom and field trip. Ladies age 16 and up.
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.
Bring kids to explore outside and get messy. Register online.
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. This year’s theme is preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
See the photography of David Leatherman while learning about the food birds eat and what sustains them through the seasons.
Get early access to the best selection of Spring Plant Sale offerings on May 10 while enjoying appetizers, wine, and beer. Members receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases. Then, May 11-12, shop the Spring Plant Sale for 15 plant divisions featuring quality flora. The sale is staffed by horticulture staff and volunteers who…
Register online to discover nature through fun, hands-on learning. Dress for the weather. Age 13 and up.
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.
Solve real-life mysteries by learning how to recognize different animal signs like scat (a fancy word for poop) and tracks. Take home a cast of an animal track. Ages 7-12.
Enjoy a day of playing in nature. Register online.
Create a coil pottery and sand painting while learning about the history of these traditional Native American art forms. Registration is required.
Discover habits of woodpeckers through hands-on activities and learn where to look for them. Ages 5-10 with adult. Reservations required online.
Bring a little green indoors this winter creating a beautiful terrarium to take home.
Try your luck when Stearns Lake is usually closed and the catfish are biting. All ages. Anglers 16 years and up must have a current Colorado fishing license.
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.
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.
Explore the many ways prairie dogs contribute to the ecosystem. Online reservations required; use event code #910806.
Enjoy an informative view of weather and climate at a science laboratory and explore interactive exhibits.
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…
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…
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…
Discover the secret life of owls through crafts, activities, and interactive tables from many nonprofit partners and outdoor educators, along with local folk music and food trucks.
Visit Denver Botanic Gardens' rural setting, for an SCFD free day.
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.
Discover what makes snakes powerful predators of the grasslands. Online reservations required; use event code #910807. Ages 4-8.
Participate in family-geared educational sessions on winter survival tips and mountaineering skills, guided hikes, and backcountry ski meet-ups.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Celebrate the Nature Center's 15th year with fun games, activities and information.
Roast marshmallows and learn all about Colorado mammals. Register online.
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…
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.
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.
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.
Explore animal interactions, defense mechanisms, and extreme adaptations with hands-on activities. Reservation required.
Discover some interesting relationships and little known moon facts. There will be refreshments after the hike. RSVP by phone. Age 6 and up.
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…
Join Lookout Mountain Nature Center in Olde Town Arvada to see the stars. Meet in the center square just west of the library.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn about different habitats by exploring the world and learning about animals’ food, water, shelter, and space. Age 5 and up. Space is limited.
Learn about the epic, true story of explorer Henry Bates' fascinating 11-year journey through the Amazon rain forest.
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.
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.
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.
Learn about the role that worms and soil play for a healthy habitat and how to compost at home.
Take a closer look at nature through journal sketching and other art activities. Registration is required.
Create your own miniature terrarium world, complete with a small plant, rocks, and colorful touches. Grades 3-12. Reservations required.
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.
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.
Take an up-close look at wings covered in feathers, scales, and fur and learn what structures help them fly. Includes hands-on experiments. Ages 3-12.
Learn lessons from our wildlife friends on how to survive, what to pack, and skills that may help you out in a pinch.
Relish a quiet hour of tripod photography in the tropical rainforest.
Enjoy fall fruits and vegetables and learn how honeybees help these foods grow. Meet the honeybees and taste their honey. Ages 5-11. Space is limited; reservations encouraged.
Experience farm life with baby animals, tire swings, a zip line, and more. Free under 12 months. Reservations required online.
View a collection of 13,000-year-old stone tools known as The Mahaffy Cache that was found in a Boulder backyard in 2007.
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.
Come to the farm to learn about seeds, hear stories, and try some seed activities. Ages 3-7 with caregiver.
Explore the grounds of the historic gardens for free.
Celebrate by dropping by to enjoy live animals, free refreshments, and other family-friendly activities.
See more than 800 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 live music, food, drink, and craft vendors. Educational programs on lavender and related topics are available for an additional charge.
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.
Learn about ducks, skunks, moose, and muskrats through stories and crafts. Register in advance. Ages 3-6.
Explore the Denver Botanic Gardens and more than 20 of Denver's world-class museums at night.
Gaze at the night sky with fellow naturalists from Lookout Mountain Nature Center. $5, $15 family.
Take part in hands-on activities that explain how our days get longer and shorter on the weekend before the summer solstice.
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.
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…
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.
Experience all of the displays and activities of the Butterfly Pavilion for only $5 per person.
Explore and climb the forest canopy indoors at the museum’s hands-on exhibition. Discover the many habitats that trees provide for animals and people, too.
Join the nature center staff with partners from Birds of Prey to celebrate summer camp with new friends. Birds of Prey program begins at 3:15pm.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
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.
Investigate different Colorado mammals and discover what they might be up to during this cold season. Ages 3-6. Register online.
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.
Learn some tips and tricks to nature photography during the “Golden Hour” to capture nature landscapes surrounding the Majestic View Nature Center. Register online.
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.
Learn tips and tricks to become a better wildlife watcher. Register online.
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.
Create intricate nature-themed art with the tangles technique and learn a little about the wild side of Bear Creek Lake Park with a park naturalist. Ages 10-17 with adult. Registration required. Park entry fee required.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
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.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games or activities. Register online.
Take a nature walk through the gardens and then use seeds, branches, and greens to create a display of nature to take home.
Join Open Space and Mountain Parks naturalist Dave Sutherland for a moderately easy hike on which you'll learn the stories that the rocks tell. Age 6 and up.
Explore the diversity of wetland invertebrates and learn about habitat conservation.
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.
Join outdoor agencies and partners to try youth fishing classes, paddling activities, live music, rock climbing, and bike riding. Youth have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger Badge from the National Park Service and United States Forest Service.
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.
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.
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.
Honor the legacy and achievements of Longmont native Vance Brand, an astronaut with the Apollo program, in a space-themed exhibit.
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week by exploring the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Event activities include archery, wildlife activity booths, and live animals.
Help beautify Standley Lake with trash pick-up, weed pulling, or other outdoor tasks. All ages welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.
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.
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 necessary for groups of five or more by phone.
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.
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.
Explore the gardens, inside and out, for free.
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.
Enjoy a special day for homeschoolers and the whole family to explore the invertebrate diversity of wetland environments.
Get the after-school energy out with an artistic exploration into animals. Registration is required online. Ages 6-14.
Take your child to listen to stories about the natural world. Ages 3-5 with adult. RSVP by phone.
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.
Learn camping skills during the day, and make treats at the firepit along the South Platte River. Age 6 and up.
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.
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.
Discover how to spot wildlife that loves the snow and play some winter animal I Spy. Register online.
Explore and learn through a variety of garden and pollinator-themed kids' classes, in a partnership with BVSD Lifelong Learning. Ages 5-11. Reservations required.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy a community atmosphere while learning about the birding world. Ages 6-15. Sign up by phone.
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.
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…
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…
Celebrate Plant Conservation Day with a pollinator plant sale, hands-on gardening activities, and family-friendly entertainment.
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
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.
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.
Join volunteer naturalists for a slide program on butterflies, including information on the life cycle, behavior, host plants, identification tips, and more.
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.
Leave those flashlights at home for this unique hiking adventure. No dogs, please. Register online. $2; park entrance fee waived.
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.
Go on a small hike and enjoy a nature-based game, craft, or storytime. Online reservations required; use event code #910802. Ages 2-5.
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.
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.
Visit Denver Botanic Gardens' rural site, Chatfield Farms, for free.
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.
Learn “Wildscaping” with the Audubon Rockies as you walk through the different habitats in bloom in the garden. Age 5 and up.
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.
Play outside, meet new friends, and try games that your great grandparents might have played. Ages 6-12 with adult.
Explore technologies and art created by American Indians who have made the Plains their home. Discover hands-on science, art, and cultural activities. All ages.
Explore the nighttime sky with Lookout Mountain Nature Center. Meet in Olde Town Arvada Square just west of the library.
Investigate the interactive natural world with special crafts, games, and activities.
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.
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.
Go outside to observe the constellations and listen for neighboring wildlife. Dress for the weather. Registration required.
Discover the plants that make pizza possible. Make a mini pizza to taste in class and plant a pizza herb garden to take home. For families with children ages 5-10.
Attend nature programs provided for young explorers including a tot-size hike and a nature-based craft or game. Ages 3-5.
Step back into history admission-free.
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.
Climb, dig, and jump to explore nature. Registration required.
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…
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.
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.
Meet animal ambassadors and learn general information about a variety of different animals. Families with children 5 and under.
Explore the adaptations chickadees have to survive, and create a winter bird feeder to help keep those chickadees chunky. Online registration required.
Learn fishing tips from Colorado Division of Wildlife experts. Fishing pole provided. Class tends to sell out quickly. Ages 6-11.
Experience up-close animal encounters, a nighttime exhibit tour, and invertebrate-themed crafts and games at a family sleepover. Age 5 and up. Reservations required.
Investigate the interactive natural world from the Nature Center with special crafts, games, or activities.
Learn and practice Vinyasa yoga. $5 suggested donation.
Surround yourself with exotic plants and beautiful butterflies, and meet other yoga enthusiasts in the community. Adults.
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:…
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.
Join Lookout Mountain Nature Center in Olde Town Arvada to see the stars. Meet in the center square just west of the library.
Celebrate Earth Day with Sustainable Resilient Longmont, featuring environmental education booths, hands-on activities for kids, and performers.
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.
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.
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…
Take your children for a nature playdate.
Learn why some plants produce essential oils and how the oils are sourced and produced. $34, $29 member.
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.
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.
Learn about Colorado mining history and try your hand at panning for gold. Reservations required: 303-258-7332. Age 5 and up.
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.
Enjoy a nature playdate and have fun getting dirty. Register online.
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.
Go on a scavenger hunt to celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Register online. Age 4 and up.
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.
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.”
Learn more about black bears, natural residents of Evergreen.
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.
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.
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.
Attend a fundraising auction for Thorne Nature Experience, and celebrate founder Dr. Thorne’s 90th birthday. Cocktail attire suggested. Reservations required online.
Learn about the different trees and plants that are adapted to grow along the South Platte River. Geared toward kindergarten to 5th grade.
Learn all about one of nature's greatest defenses - camouflage. Ages 3-6. $5.
Visit the garden across the street from the main Denver Botanic Gardens York Street facility. Geared toward kids, there are winding paths, a bridge, and a splash creek in April and May.
Roast marshmallows around the campfire and learn about a different nature topic each night. Registration required. Park entry fee required. Dates and hours vary.
Learn about typical winter chores and indoor games while exploring the Walker Ranch Homestead. Call or contact Sheryl Kippen at skippen@bouldercounty.org for more information.
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.
Enjoy a program presented by the Butterfly Pavilion with puppets, music, and live bugs.
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…
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.
Learn about butterflies, frogs, raccoons and bears. Enjoy a glimpse into their worlds using books, stories, crafts, and games. Ages 3-6 years with adult. $18 for 4 week session.
See pieces of art from the School of Botanical Art & Illustration.
Learn about a few of the weirder members of the animal kingdom and how being unique can be a great thing. Ages 4-10. Registration required.
