Free, Expanded Children’s Programming Starts At Prospect Park’s Audubon Center Next Week
For kids with an interest in nature, there’s no better place this spring and summer than Prospect Park, where their popular, free programming returns — and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Starting Saturday, April 18, the Audubon Center in the Boathouse will be open with free community programming on weekends, and the park is adding a second tent to its Pop-Up Audubon roving nature education program. Plus, they’ll be offering Discovery Packs, ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities that families can borrow while they explore the park.
Hours at the Boathouse will include Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-1pm, in addition to its regular Thursday and Friday afternoon programming. The new Pop-Up Audubon programs, which will be set up at locations around the Park, will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm.
Here’s what to look out for:
NATURE EXPLORATION
Audubon Center, Free
Thursdays and Fridays, 12-4pm
12-4pm: Discovery Pack: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with the new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. In April, play Habitat Bingo, search for birds and design a home for one of the Park’s many living things.
2-3pm: Bird Nerds Game Hour: Test your knowledge of birds in this fun, mildly competitive hour of puzzles, Bingo, card games, and more!
3-4pm: Nature on the Go!: An Alliance Naturalist will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can learn about the nature that is all around us and participate in a Citizen Science project.
4pm: Animal Encounter: Curious as to how Snappy the turtle got her name? Want to watch the snake gobble a mouse? Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection and even assist in an actual feeding.
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
10-11am: Nature Play: Join Alliance naturalists and learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and develop self-reliance, creativity and problem-solving skills through different outdoor play-based activities.
10am-12pm: Discovery Pack: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with the new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. In April, play Habitat Bingo, search for birds and design a home for one of the Park’s many living things.
11am-12pm: Shape-Up NYC: Cardio Sculpt: Pump up your workout routine with this exercise class focusing on cardio and sculpting moves to help build endurance and strength.
12-1pm: Blooming Naturalists: So you think you are a Naturalist? Find out at the Audubon Center by learning how to identify birds and use binoculars and field guides.
Sundays, 10am-1pm
10-11am: Nature Play: Join Alliance naturalists and learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and develop self-reliance, creativity and problem-solving skills through different outdoor play-based activities.
10am-12pm: Discovery Pack: The Prospect Park Alliance invites you to get inspired by nature with the new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. In April, play Habitat Bingo, search for birds and design a home for one of the Park’s many living things.
12-1pm: Blooming Naturalists: So you think you are a Naturalist? Find out at the Audubon Center by learning how to identify birds and use binoculars and field guides.
POP-UP AUDUBON I: LEAF LITTER CRITTERS
Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-4pm
Eastwood, Free
A healthy forest has helpers to ensure the circle of life goes on. Though fun games and experiments, uncover the secrets of soil creatures, fungus and decomposition:
12-1pm: Adventure Hike: Alliance naturalists will introduce you to the natural history of Prospect Park and its hidden trails. Recommended for families with children 5 and older.
1-2pm: Nature on the Go!: Join Alliance naturalists on a search under the soil to learn about the secret lives of Leaf Litter Critters. Participants can even take home their very own compost bin.
2-3pm: Nature’s Helpers: Did you know that trees help trees? After learning how mulch protects tree roots, spend time spreading wood chips around trees.
3-4pm: Family Bird Watching: After learning how to use binoculars, join our naturalists to identify some of the 250 species of birds that call Prospect Park home.
POP-UP AUDUBON II: ANIMAL CLUES
Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-4pm
Peninsula, Free
Learn about birds and other animals that make their home near water, and add to the “nest” we are weaving with natural materials:
11am-4pm: Discovery Pack: Get inspired by nature with the new Discovery Packs, a ready-to-go kits filled with nature activities for families. In April, play Habitat Bingo, search for birds and design a home for one of the Park’s many living things.
12-1pm: Lakeside Nature Stroll: Join Alliance naturalists for a guided nature walk through the meandering paths of the Peninsula and search for signs of animal homes.
1-2pm: Junior Naturalists: Help Alliance naturalists track migrating birds and invasive plants that impact where animals can make their homes in this citizen science program.
2-3pm: Nature’s Helpers: Let’s lend a helping hand to make our park a better place. Learn how mulch helps trees, spread wood chips or protect the environment by removing damaging litter.
3-4pm: Family Bird Watching: After learning how to use binoculars, join our naturalists to identify some of the 250 species of birds that call Prospect Park home.