Mighty Naturalist Programs
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Ages: 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for adult and infants. Additional older children are charged the same fee.
When: Friday morning 9:30-10:45 am December 13, 20; January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14; March 21 and 28.
Advance Registration Required: Please call 517-782-3453 or click on the individual events below to register online to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration. Registered participants who did not attend the program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Limit per Program: 20 children
>>> Registration is Open! <<<
December 2024- March 2025 Schedule
Click HERE to advance to the registration page. Sign up for as many as you would like.
1) December 13 — How Animals Survive Winter
2) December 20 — The Busy Tree House
3) January 3 (Winter Break) — Nature’s Textures Art Class
4) January 10 — The Sleepy Owl
5) January 17 — Turtle Mania (meet live turtles!)
6) January 24 — Animal Feet and Tracks
7) January 31 – Bird Beaks
8) February 7 — Tree-ific Seasons
9) February 14 — Where are the Night Animals
10) March 21 (Spring Break) — Maple Sugaring in the Forest
11) March 28 (Spring Break) — The Reason for a Flower
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.
Program Descriptions
December 13; How Animals Survive Winter. What are some actions nature takes and why to survive winter? After story time, we’ll explore and learn about hibernations, migration and adaptations. Monarchs fly to Mexico, Groundhog goes to bed, and Weasel changes his wardrobe! Find out how other animals cope with winter’s worst weather. We will spend a short time outdoors seeking clues before heading into the classroom for hands-on activities and craft time.
December 20; The Busy Tree House. Nature is full of hidden clues about the animals that live there. You may not know where to look or what to look for but animal clues are everywhere. You’ll learn how to spot and identify common clues that animals live in or near forest trees. We’ll read a story, see an assortment of animal furs and homes, go on a short outdoor adventure, and then make ‘n take craft.
January 3; Nature’s Textures Art Class. The morning starts with a story about textures and seeing-feeling different items followed by a short hike to collect natural items to use back in the classroom for experimenting with paints and crayons to discover the simple and fascinating designs. This class offers time for creativity and exploration.
January 10; The Sleepy Owl. Mysterious and beautiful, owls can be found all over the world but their silent flight and low population mean that spotting one is extra special. After story time and discussion about owls, learn some of their calls, take a short walk in the forest looking for homey tree holes, then we’ll head indoors for a fun owl craft.
January 17; Turtle Mania (meet live turtles!). Have you ever wondered about turtles? How many kinds there are, why they have shells, where they live and what they eat? Let’s find out together as we meet our live turtles! Afterwards, make ‘n take a turtle craft.
January 24; Animal Feet and Tracks. How animals make tracks can tell us what they are, what they’re doing and where they’re headed. We’ll start the morning reading a story, then go on a hunt to see where animal tracks take us; across a trail and up a tree, along the stream, or maybe to a protected home hidden under trees? Indoors we will use rubber tracks to create our own tracks and stories.
January 31; Bird Beaks. What is unique about birds, and what do their characteristics (feet, feet, beak, color, etc.) tell us about their life? Enjoy story time, explore bird feathers, that a short birding walk to observe our local birds in action, then return indoors for hands-on ‘bird beak’ activity stations, and a make ‘n take craft.
February 7; Tree-ific Seasons. Tree-ific seasons wheel, a short walk to look for signs of winter. What are the trees doing? What else is different this season? Where are the insects and flowers? Then, we’ll head indoors to crafts seasonal tree art.
February 14; Where are the Night Animals. While people are dreaming of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Who are these nocturnal animals and what are they doing? Interactive story time, short outdoor trail walk seeking clues before we head into the classroom for a make ‘n take craft.
March 21; Maple Sugaring in the Forest. The maple sugaring season is a sign winter is ending and Spring is near. Hooray! After a story about maple sugaring, we will take a short walk through the sugar bush to see different methods to collect maple tree sap, look closely at baby leaves (buds), measure trees, try on a yoke, and deliver sap to our historic sugar shack. We’ll taste test maple sap and real maple syrup, too. Then, we’ll head indoors for a quick craft. This is the only time of year maple sugaring occurs. Don’t miss out!
March 28; The Reason for a Flower. After story time, we’ll take a short walk to find an assortment of seeds. Where do they come from and how do they get dispersed? Seeds and plants are food, and seeds are also next year’s plants. Today you will plant some seeds in a small pot and grow them at home.
