Events Listing

Curious Kids (Winter/Spring 2020) PM

What: Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and their parents or adult caregivers will learn basic science concepts in hands-on classes that encourage and celebrate natural curiosity! Curious Kids lessons may incorporate live animals, plants, natural objects, crafts, puppets, stories, songs, and nature walks.

When: Tuesdays from 10 am – 11:15 am OR 4 pm – 5:15 pm

Cost/Class: Members $15 OR Nonmembers $20

Members-only semester Discount Price: $225

Winter/Spring 2020 Class Topics:

01/14 – Squeaky Squirrels
01/21 – Awesome Owls
01/28 – Underground Animals
02/4 – Dynamic Dinosaurs
02/11 – Fruits and Veggies
02/18 – Animal Parents
02/25 – Magnificent Marsupials
03/03 – Bones and Skeletons
03/10 – Homes and Habitats
03/24 – CANCELLED Seasons and the Sun
03/31 – CANCELLED Pleasing Plants
04/07 – CANCELLED Leaves and Trees
04/14 – CANCELLED Beautiful Bees
04/21 – CANCELLED Spring Wildflowers
04/28 – CANCELLED Spring Birds
05/05 – CANCELLED Spring Butterflies
05/12 – CANCELLED Lovely Lizards
05/19 – CANCELLED Frogs and Friends

Register online here for morning sessions

Register online here for afternoon sessions

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Curious Kids

Are you raising a Curious Kid? Join us at the Center where we’ll explore, ask, discover, and more in our pre-K science program! Our children’s programs feature science-rich, weekly, stand-alone classes that offer you the flexibility to sign-up for individual classes that meet your hectic schedules or for specific topics that inspire your children. Curious Kids lessons incorporate live animals, plants, natural objects, crafts, puppets and/or models, stories, and nature walks. 

Age Restrictions: 3 to 5 years old with an adult caregiver who will remain for the program

Cost / class: Family Level Members $15 / Nonmembers $20

Advanced registration required. 

Register online here

Days & Times: Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:15pm

Winter/Spring 2025 Class Schedule

Date Topic
 01/21
 Furry Friends
 01/28
 Squeaky Squirrels
 02/04
 Wild Cats
 02/11
 Animal Habitats
 02/18
 Animal Defenses
 02/25
 Dinosaurs
 03/04
 What is alive?
 03/18
 Fabulous Fungi
 03/25
 Invertebrates CANCELED
 04/01
 In the Garden
 04/08
 Pond Pals
 04/15
 Terrific Turtles
 04/22
 Spring Nature
 04/29
 Spring Wildflowers
 05/06
 Spring Butterflies
 05/13
 Reptile Rendezvous

For cancellation, refund and other program policies, please read our FAQ for Classes and Camps.

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Junior Scientists (Winter/Spring 2020)

NEW Format: Monthly on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 pm

Junior Scientists explore the natural world and examine a variety of science themes through hands-on investigations and experiments, and in lessons enriched with crafts, games, and more!

Ages: 6 to 10 years old

Cost/Class: $15 member / $20 non-member

Advance registration required. Register online here!

02/16 – Fun with Fruits & Veggies – Bring your appetite and your curiosity, as we learn about the science behind the food plants we eat. We’ll learn basic plant biology, and figure out what’s a leaf, stem, root, or fruit… eating our way through plant parts as we go. At the end we’ll look for wild edible plants, and then plant a fruit or veggie to take home. (Please let us know if you have any food allergies).

CANCELLED 03/22 Nature Arts & Artists – Join us as we learn about modern and contemporary artists, and the head out into the park with our sketchbooks to create art using the same techniques. We bring home some strange and beautiful pieces, and leave some behind in the park, for visitors to enjoy.

CANCELLED  04/05 Outdoor Games – Enjoy the glorious Spring weather with us and learn about some basic concepts, as we run around and have fun. We’ll focus on Texas animals like Monarchs, Armadillos, Bobcats & Squirrels.

CANCELLED 05/17 Spineless Wonders: Insects and Other Invertebrates – Explore the park with us as we learn about insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. We’ll visit with some unique spineless creatures in our live animal collection, and head out into the park to look for invertebrates under logs, in the pond, and in our wildflower gardens.

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Mess Makers

Messy, sensory play is an important part of child development. Together with Ms. Mo, you will explore and create with messy elements like homemade snow, clay, and sand. We will make works of art with natural materials (like plant pigments), and with a mix of natural and man-made materials (like branches, paints, and fun embellishments). We’ll make beautiful messes together, but go home clean!

Ages: 3 – 7 yrs old with an adult caregiver

Days/Times: First Mondays, from 10:30 to 11:45 am

Winter/Spring 2020 Topics:

  • January 6 – Snow & Ice
  • February 3 – Beautiful Branches: Collaborative Art
  • March 2 – Clay Play
  • April 6 – Smashing Flowers & Chlorophyll Creations  Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • May 4 – Exploring Sand & Water  Cancelled due to COVID-19

Cost/Class: $18 member / $22 non-member

Register online here!

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Center CLOSED

The Center will be closed today for Twilight Gala preparations.

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Wildscapes Workshop Presented by The Buzz Magazines

Learn all about creating a bird and butterfly friendly yard at this workshop!

Join The Buzz Magazines and members of local partner organizations for an informative and interactive session where you’ll learn how to create a yard that’s both bird and butterfly friendly. You’ll hear from experts in our own neighborhoods as well as professionals like Anna Vallery, from The Houston Audubon Society, and Taylor Rhoades, from Houston Zoo, and gain the tools to start planting native plants in your garden. Mary Ann Beauchemin, Senior Naturalist and Former Nature Discovery Center Park Steward, will lead a native plant walk in Russ Pitman Park.

Cost/Registration: This event is FREE and open to the public, but space is limited, so be sure to follow the link to register in advance.

Parking: Our north parking lot closest to the Center will likely fill quickly, so please consider side street parking or parking in the south lot along Evergreen Street and walking through the park to the Nature Discovery Center building for the workshop.

See also this recent piece, Native Plants: Creating bird-friendly yards, in The Bellaire Buzz by Pooja Salhotra

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Adult Craft Workshop: Branch Weaving

Join us for one of our new Adult Crafting Workshops with Craft Lab Studio’s Khahn Ho.

CANCELLED

Turn branches into fine art with this craft project! Focusing on sustainably sourced supplies and items from around the home, each student will leave with a beautifully crafted piece to hang on their wall or to give as a gift. This is a BYOB event intended for adults. Come relax and visit with others over drinks as you create your woven masterpiece.

Cost: $25 / person

Space is limited to ensure a high quality experience for all.

 

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Day Camp

Fall & Winter Day Camps

Ages: 5 to 10 yrs old

2019/2020 Dates & Topics

October 9 – Texas Mammals with Eric Duran  (WAIT LIST)
November 25 – Fall Nature with Eric Duran  (WAIT LIST)
November 26 – Survival of the Fittest with Ranger
November 27 – Flying Feast with Ranger
December 20 – Winter Adaptations with TBA
December 30 – Wild Winter Birds with Ranger
January 2 – Into the Trees with Eric Duran
January 3 – Habitat Hideaways with Bethany Foshée
January 20 – TBA

Camps run from 9 am to 3:30 pm

Cost: $49 member / $59 non-member per day

After Care is available until 5:30 pm for $15 per day.

Advance registration required. Register online here!

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Junior Scientists

NEW Format: Monthly on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 pm

Junior Scientists explore the natural world and examine a variety of science themes through hands-on investigations and experiments, and in lessons enriched with crafts, games, and more!

Ages: 6 to 10 years old

Cost/Class: $15 member / $20 non-member

Advance registration required: Register online here

09/22 – Aquatic Animals – Join us as we dip net in the pond, set up aquariums, and have a look under the microscope. We will study all kinds of water creatures.

10/27 – Cold Blooded Critters – Explore the world of reptiles and amphibians, as we look for wild animals in the park, handle them in the classroom, and set up toad terrariums.

11/17 – Digging in the Dirt – Grab your shovel and head into the garden for a fun field study of plants. We’ll learn some basic botany, sow flower seeds, plant fruits and veggies, dig in the dirt, and pot a plant to take home.

12/15 – Messy Science – Foam, bubbles, fire, and minor explosions! Join us for a fun (and safe) time as we make a mess and learn some basic science concepts on our front lawn.

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Campfire Night

Parents need nights out, and so do kids! Campfire Nights offer the best of both. Outdoor activities, snacks, animal encounters and more!

Friday, December 13 from 6 to 9 pm

Ages: 6 to 12 years old

Drop the kids off for a night of fun in the great outdoors! There will be a naturalist craft, night hike, black lighting for bugs, animal encounters, pond fishing, outdoor games, hot dogs*, & s’mores*!

*GF/V options available

Cost: $30/child,  $20 sibling discount

Advance registration is required. Register online here.

 

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