Treat your kids to a fun-filled evening at the Nature Center while you treat yourself to a night off! They’ll explore the outdoors with exciting games, hands-on nature activities, live animal encounters, and an evening hike. To top it all off, we’ll gather around the fire for pizza and s’mores! Don’t forget to dress for…
Step into the past and experience the magic of the holidays at Lantern Light Village December 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20, 2025 5:00–8:30 p.m.. As twilight falls, Mystic Seaport Museum glows with the warm flicker of lanterns and the sparkle of music-filled light displays. Stroll through our waterfront village, transformed into a…
Join DPNC for a FREE guided hike through Groton Open Space Association’s Avery Farm Nature Preserve. This mostly flat trail passes through meadows, forests, and wetlands, offering great opportunities to observe winter wildlife and learn about the importance of habitat diversity. Meet at the entrance on Lambtown Road in Ledyard (turn on Lambtown from Rt.…
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a kid-friendly musical countdown! Join Steve Elci & Friends for a lively performance at 2:15 p.m. on the McGraw Gallery Quad, then ring in 2026 with a 3:00 p.m. confetti toss. Enter through the Thompson Exhibition Building at the Museum’s North Entrance. The first 50 kids get a free noisemaker!…
Everyone deserves a night out! Have an evening out while your kids, ages 6 to 12, spend the evening at DPNC's Coogan Farm. We will enjoy cooking our own dinner, meeting animals and going for a night hike. We’ll make our own pizza for dinner and create a delicious dessert! Please be dressed for the…
Bundle up and join us at the Niantic Boardwalk to search for wintering ducks and coastal birds. This program is great for birders of all experience levels. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them! Meets at 30 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357. Pre-registration is required. Register
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE LIBRARY DAY!! The Bill Memorial Library invites you to visit the library on Saturday, February 7, 2026 to celebrate the 15th annual Take Your Child to the Library Day. Children and their families can stop by between 10:00 AM-2:00 PM for crafts, chocolate trivia, free book giveaway, and more! Taste…
Ages 6–10 years. Join DPNC to discover how animals attract their mates! Explore how colors, behaviors, and calls help animals find the perfect partner. We’ll also see why males and females of some species look or act differently. Meet some of our resident animals and uncover the fascinating strategies they use to find love. Pre-registration…
Bring the family (children 8 and up) to the Giving Garden for our first seed-starting day of the year! What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by giving back to your community? Join us at DPNCs Coogan Farm for this FREE program as we plant over 1,000 celery seeds that will grow into fresh…
Join DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we’ll be tapping into our natural roots by exploring the science of tree tapping. Learn why trees make sap, how it moves through the tree, and the proper techniques for tapping. Then head outside to tap trees around the…
Discover the wonders of nature together at this monthly, inclusive family-friendly program! Kids of all ages with a caregiver are welcome to move at their own pace as you explore themed activity stations, meet live animals, and examine fascinating natural artifacts. Then get creative with a hands-on craft before heading out on a self-guided hike…
Learn to identify Connecticut’s native snakes and discover their important role in our ecosystems. Join DPNC on Sunday, March 22nd as we explore unique snake adaptations and you’ll get a chance to meet and touch live snakes! Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Free thanks to the generous support of the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation.…
Join us in celebrating the opening of "Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks" with a special opening day event on Saturday, March 28. Drop in from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to participate in a collaborative LEGO® mosaic build guided by members of ConnLUG, a Connecticut-based LEGO® fan group, in the lobby of the Thompson…
Treat your kids to a fun-filled evening at the Nature Center while you treat yourself to a night off! They’ll explore the outdoors with exciting games, hands-on nature activities, live animal encounters, and an evening hike. To top it all off, we’ll gather around the fire for pizza and s’mores! Don’t forget to dress for…
Passport to Connecticut Libraries April 1-30, 2026 Your library card opens the world to you through physical books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs—as well as downloadable or streaming versions of the same products. Now let your library card open the doors of Connecticut libraries by participating in the Passport to Connecticut Libraries Program! To celebrate National…
Spring sneaks in slowly here in Connecticut, but if you know what to look for, the signs are everywhere. From the first calls of spring peepers to skunk cabbage pushing through snow, from salamanders on the move to tiny snow drops blooming, we’ll explore the classic harbingers of spring in New England. Meets at DPNC.…
Watch the April Pink Moon rise from a beautiful overlook! Join DPNC for a guided evening hike through the Peace Sanctuary as daylight fades and the full moon makes its appearance. Meets at the Peace Sanctuary on River Road, Mystic. Pre-registration is required. Register
Stroll the trails of the Nature Center in search of eggs, meet resident animal friends along the way, and say hello to the Easter Bunny! Trade in your found eggs for wooden ones and head over to the creation stations to decorate them. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. Participants are limited to…
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
Gungywamp is an archaeological site of distinct natural and cultural interest. It has rocky ridges, glacial erratics and swamps along with enigmatic stone shelter and structures whose use and origin are open to interpretation. Walk with us through the woods and absorb the mysteries of Gungywamp. This program is suited for adults and families comfortable…
Looking for something fun and free to do on a Sunday morning? Stop by DPNC for a hike through our trails! Starting at DPNC, we’ll wander through woods and fields, stopping to explore Pequotsepos Brook, the Craig Floyd Giving Garden at Coogan Farm, and the Stillman Foundation. Along the way, we’ll talk about how people…
Come meet the coolest residents at the nature center, literally! Get face-to-face with our cold-blooded animal ambassadors, including turtles, snakes, and frogs. We’ll explore their wild adaptations, from protective shells to camouflage. Touch live specimens if you dare (totally optional!), hold bio-facts like snake sheds and turtle shells, and learn how to help protect these…
Spring is prime time for bugs! Gather the family and search the meadow for grasshoppers, butterflies, spiders, and more during this FREE program! Please wear closed-toed shoes and bug spray. Meets at DPNC. Pre-registration is required. Register
Discover the amazing diversity of hummingbirds around the world and take a closer look at our native Ruby-throated Hummingbird during this fascinating zoom presentation! We’ll also discuss what plants to add to your yard to turn it into hummingbird habitat! Pre-registration is required. Online program via Zoom (link will be sent before the program). Members:…
Join DPNC the second Saturday of every month for Adventures in Nature! This month, we’re cracking the case of who laid which egg. Learn about the different animals that lay eggs, discover why they choose certain spots, and see if you can match eggs to their owners. You’ll get to meet some of our resident…
Discover the wonders of nature together at this monthly, inclusive family-friendly program! Come at any time between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and move at your own pace as you explore themed activity stations, meet live animals, and examine fascinating natural artifacts. Then get creative with a hands-on craft before heading out on a self-guided…
Join us the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore our duck pond and see who we can find living in the water. Learn how to use our pond dipping nets to scoop up some fun and see how many different animals you can catch. Be sure…
Join us at the Nature Center for a FREE presentation as part of CT Open House Day including some of our most popular resident animals! Learn about their stories and how we can help these species in the wild. This program is for all ages! Pre-register on our today! Register
Join DPNC for a walk at the Conn College Arboretum where we can access their Native Plant Collection/Bolleswood Natural Area! This is a great opportunity to learn and see all of the beautiful native plants of New England! Pre-registration is required. We will meet at 33 Gallows Lane New, London, CT 06320. Members and Non-members:…
Calling for kids of all ages with a caregiver to come discover the wonders of nature together at DPNC for this monthly, inclusive FREE family-friendly program! Move at your own pace as you explore themed activity stations, meet live animals, and examine fascinating natural artifacts. Then get creative with a hands-on craft before heading out…
The Nature Center’s forest fairies have come out to play and are excited to share the secrets to being kind to nature! Wander the trails and meet the Salamander Forest Fairy, the Meadow Flower Fairy, the Pond Fairy, the Stone Fairy, and other magical friends as you explore the woods. Each fairy has special ideas…
Build, explore, and unwind at Bricks Ahoy! Enjoy hands-on building activities, meet friendly Newfoundland dogs, hunt for hidden minifigures, and explore Brickwrecks by day. Stay for live music and an outdoor screening of The LEGO Movie on the Village Green at sundown—fun for all ages! more info
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
Celebrate the birthday of the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, on July 18! Enjoy LEGO® activities, “Brick Bingo,” toy boat building, and Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks. Make a birthday card for the Morgan, explore Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact, watch Whale Ho!, and finish with cake—fun for all ages!…
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
Join us at DPNC on the second Saturday of every month as we adventure into nature! This month, we will explore parts of a plant’s life cycle and learn about different fruits and berries. We will discover why plants make fruits and berries, and learn how to identify some of our native plants. Grow your…
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
Round out your week with a family hike and picnic dinner at the Nature Center. Pack your dinner and we will explore the trails and enjoy a picnic in the woods before heading back to DPNC for a dessert of s’mores around the campfire! Members: $8.50; Non-Members: $10 Pre-register on our website: https://dpnc.org/event/family-hike-and-picnic/
In this 60-minute workshop learn hand-building basics, shape exploration, and collaborative creations. Emphasizing fun and creativity in a relaxed, hands-on environment. Sign up for multiple weeks to build upon skills. An adult caregiver is welcome to stay for the duration of the workshop if they would like. Pottery ready for pick up in 3 weeks.…
