The Hancock Park District uses live animals for educational programs. You are invited to visit the Discovery Center, see the animals, and watch them eat. We will talk about what animals eat and how that differs among herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 4-5 with an adult; other […]
Wear your favorite PJ’s, get together with family and friends, watch The Fox and the Hound, and enjoy popcorn on a Sunday afternoon. After the movie, there will be a scavenger hunt, either inside the Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center or outside in the woodland. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 2 PM Ages 3 […]
Forests are full of life, including many different animals. The story titled, Bear Helps the Forest (Maybe You Help, Too) will be read. It is a picture book that highlights the life of a baby bear and other animals, such as squirrels, white-tailed deer, and Virginia opossums. After the story, we will hike the trails […]
It is that time of year when many animals build their nests and await the arrival of their babies. Learn about nests through play, such as what’s in my egg memory game and if I had a bird beak. You can try and build a nest using beak-like tools. Afterward, we will enter the Nature […]
In spring, our wetlands are filled with the songs of frogs and toads. Learn why frogs and toads are calling this time of year and how to identify the frogs and toads that are calling. Afterward, we will take a night hike in search of songs, sounds, and calls. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 6:30 […]
Join us on a snipe hunt. We will search for a bird called Wilson’s Snipe that shows up in the wetlands this time of year. We will talk about the Wilson’s Snipe, listen to the sounds it makes, and then hike the wetlands with binoculars and a spotting scope in search of birds and other […]
Marbles have been around for thousands of years. They come in different sizes, colors, and materials. Learn how to play marbles, build a marble run and race marbles, paint a picture by rolling marbles in tempura paint, and create marbles out of clay. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 1 PM Ages 6-10 with an adult; […]
During the spring season, we can encounter many different types of weather including rain, snow, and wind. Children will learn about these types of weather through a story and activities including “Ducks on the Pond” and “Wriggly worms”. A tissue paper puddle will also be made. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center 10 AM Ages 3 […]
Toddlers can work on mathematical development, the concept of numbers, and counting with the help of nature. Toddlers along with an adult will take a guided hike on the trails, look for animals and natural objects, and practice counting such things as points on a leaf, wings on a bird, and legs on a spider. […]
The Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks. All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome. If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these […]
We will talk about what makes a bird a bird, how to identify birds, and how to use binoculars. We will create an observation journal to document the birds we see, observe birds at the bird feeders by looking through the Windows on Wildlife, and if time allows, continue birdwatching while hiking on trails through […]
It’s that time of year when the leaves are starting to appear and green is becoming more prevalent in nature. Activities to help learn about green are Hues of Green Scavenger Hunt, Can I Camouflage, and Peas in a Pod. Participants are encouraged to wear something green. Adult companions must remain with children during this […]
