Tuesdays, March 28–May 16, 2023
10–11:15 a.m. For children ages 3–5.
Fee: $100 members/$125 non-members for 8-week series. $10 sibling discount. Thanks to a generous grant from the PNC Foundation, the fee is waived for Caroline County residents.
Welcome spring with your preschooler at the Arboretum. Classes include nature walks, stories, songs, snacks, and an art project to take home. An instant play group for caregivers and tots alike, the nature preschool helps children learn socialization skills while they explore the wonders of the great outdoors. Nature ABCs, 123s, and nursery rhymes are part of the fun.
Space is limited. Advance registration is required; early registration is highly recommended.
Sessions include:
In Like a Lion (March 28)
March is here, and so are windy days! We'll use blobs of paint to see how wind moves, fly feathers int he breeze, and craft lovely windsocks to make weather observations at home.
Antlers Away (April 4)
Not all animals hibernate during chilly weather: white-tailed deer are out and about year-round. We can be out and about, too! We'll look for deer tracks, paths, and beds along the meadow edge. Back in the classroom, we'll make and model antler headbands.
Dirt Detectives (April 11)
Let's get the dirt on soil! Budding scientists will observe soil samples with hand lenses, mix up gooey mud pies, and craft glittery "soil" shakers to remind us there's move to dirt than meets the eye.
Welcome, Spring! (April 18)
Celebrate spring at the Arboretum! We'll look for signs of spring in the forest, dance around a woodland maypole, and make a bouquet of paper flowers to welcome warmer days.
Hay Bale Garden (April 25)
Let's make hay while the sun shines! We'll plant a hay bale garden in Emily's Play Garden, go on a garden scavenger hunt, and share a picnic snack. We'll also make spongy, grassy "hay bales" to take home.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Tree! (May 2)
Learn how to tell a tree's age by examining its annual rings. Tree ring sleuths will make a "tree cookie" craft, read tree stories, and explore the stumps at First Light Village.
Wetland Magic (May 9)
The wetland comes alive in spring! We'll use nets and buckets to discover some of the creatures that call the wetland home, from wiggly tadpoles to shy painted turtles. We'll also mix up a batch of froggy goo and read delightfully swampy stories.
Leaping Lizards! (May 16)
Calling all lizard lovers! It's time to search in sunny places for the five-lined skink and learn how lizards are different from other animals. Outside playtime with rubber lizards will entice even those reluctant to join the lizard fan club.
