Crowder County Park offers public, educational programs for all ages, year-round. Visit our Calendar of Events and sign up for our E-Newsletter to stay up to date!
Scroll down or select a program series below to learn more about our offerings:
Important Updates
As of Jan. 1, 2019, there will be no charge for all Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space public, group and outreach programs. Fees will still apply for camps and shelter rentals.
As of Jan. 1, 2019, we will no longer accept cash on site at any Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space location. Payments can be made on site or in advance with a credit or debit card. Checks must be mailed in advance.
Search for programs by location, age, date and more!
To register in person or by mail please download a copy of our Registration Form or call 919-662-2850 for more information.
For a printout of quarterly programs and events, and for a paper copy of the Wake County parks program registration form, refer to the program bulletin below.
Our staff also offers public programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park.
Check out the
Yates Mill programs page for details.
20th Annual Frog Fest
Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Participate in some froggy family fun at this year’s Frog Fest event! Learn about frogs and the clean water we all need. Enjoy crafts, games, live music and tasty food from local food trucks. Meet and greet with live frogs and reptiles. For all ages; FREE! Registration is not required. Note that off-site parking at Middle Creek High School will be required during the event – a free shuttle will be provided to and from the park.
A weekend program that is fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
March Winds
Sunday, March 17, 2–3 p.m.
Come discover what makes March the windiest month! Learn what wind is and how wildlife and plants use the wind to survive. Then make a kite and fly it high in the sky! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment.
Rockin’ Around the Park Rocks are everywhere! Come explore the rocks of Crowder through hands-on science. Conduct scientific tests to discover the hidden identity of rocks. Learn the three types of rocks and play the rock cycle game. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Animal Senses
Sunday, May 26, 2–3 p.m.
See the world through bugs’ eyes and listen with deer’s ears. Learn how animals use their senses to get around. Play some games to discover your senses and make a smelly craft. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Daddy and Me Day
Sunday, June 16, 2–3 p.m.
Hop, skip and jump over to Crowder County Park as we celebrate Father’s Day! Bring the whole family out for an afternoon of games related to nature. Afterwards we’ll cool off with some refreshments. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Discover the Park
Saturdays, March 16, April 20, May 25, and June 8, 10–11 a.m.
Take a walk in the woods and discover the animals and plants that call our park home. Help collect data for our Natural Resource Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. All experience levels are welcome. Let's learn together! For ages 14 & up; fee: FREE. Registration is not required. Meet at the Park Office.
Discovery Tables
Wacky Weather
Saturday, March 16, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about weather! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Earth Day
Saturday, April 20, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about Earth Day, officially celebrated on April 22! Registration is not required. The display table is located by the Upper Playground.
Songbirds
Saturday, May 25, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about songbirds! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Trees
Saturday, June 8, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about the trees of Crowder Park! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Family programs that explore the park at night. Please see program description for meeting.
Signs of Spring
Friday, March 22, 6–7 p.m.
Shake off the winter blues and welcome the spring season! Join us as we spot the early signs of spring from songs to smells. Discover the buds on the trees as we walk around the pond. Then decorate a flower pot and take home a flowering bulb. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Alive After DarkThe park comes alive after dark! Let the moon guide your way as we stroll around the pond in search of night time critters. Play fun games and try to catch some nocturnal bugs. Bring a flashlight to spot the spiders! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Amazing Amphibians
Friday, May 31, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Rribbit! Listen to the chorus of frogs and toads as the sun sets at Crowder County Park. Sort through amazing facts about amphibians, play froggy bingo, and make a froggy craft! Then walk down to the pond and hear our amphibian friends in action! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Firefly Frenzy
Friday, June 21, 7:45–8:45 p.m.
How many fireflies can you catch? Sign up for an evening of summer fun as we catch and release lightning bugs. Explore what gives them a special glow through hands-on discovery, games, and more! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
A weekday program that is fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Earth Day Party!
Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m.–noon
Celebrate Earth this April by joining us for an Eco-Party! Learn how we can reuse everyday objects to reduce our trash! Blow bubbles, make musical instruments and create bird feeders. Prepare to get crafty and save the planet by reducing, reusing and recycling! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Bird Watchers
Tuesday, May 14, 11 a.m.–noon
It's Spring! The birds are out singing and dancing, and are ready to play! Discover Crowder's birds with us and play Bird ID Bingo, build a nest, and search for worms in a fun predator and prey game! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
The Buzz on Bees
Tuesday, June 18, 11 a.m.–noon
Celebrate our #1 pollinator by learning about the busy bees of Crowder Park. Learn the dances of bees and how they communicate, discover how pollination works, and taste different types of honey. Then plant a flower in a container for our garden. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
A half-hour weekday program for children ages 18 months to 3 years old. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Colors in Nature
Monday, April 8, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your colors by sorting natural objects found in the park! Then go on a nature hunt to find plants and animals of different colors! For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Movement in Nature
Monday, May 13, 10:30–11 a.m.
Work on your motor skills through center-based activities. Practice threading, sorting, jumping and catching. Then play with musical instruments. For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Animals in Nature
Monday, June 17, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your recognition skills through sorting, matching and more! Move like animals in nature and find park critters in a fun scavenger hunt. For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Preschool children with accompanying adult(s) discover the natural world through stories, hands-on nature activities, games, crafts and guided outdoor exploration. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Earth Buddies
Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m.–noon
Even youngsters can take better care of the Earth. Read a story, make a litter bug and play games to learn fun and easy things kids can do to be an Earth Buddy! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Baby Birds
Wednesday, May 15, 11 a.m.–noon
All birds lay eggs! Explore the lives of baby birds from when they were eggs to the time they leave the nest! Play a memory game, make a baby bird craft, and go on an "egg"citing egg hunt! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Busy Bees
Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m.–noon
Bees are really important in our gardens! Read "The Honey Robber and the Bee," by Eric Carle, and discover the world of bees and honey! Find your fellow bees by following your sense of smell, make a bee, and then have a sweet treat! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
A weekday drop-in program that requires no registration. Come anytime for some creative fun (please note supplies may be limited on occasion)! Meet at the Cardinal Shelter.
|
Raindrops and Rainbows
Monday, March 25, 11 a.m.–noon
Spring is here and the winter snow is melting away. Create a weather craft to celebrate the new season. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Eco-Crafts
Tuesday, April 9, 11 a.m.–noon
Help us celebrate the Earth by creating fun craft projects from everyday objects! We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Spring Flowers
Monday, May 20, 11 a.m.–noon
The flowers are in full bloom at the park! Create a craft bursting with color inspired by nature. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Monday, June 3, 11 a.m.–noon
June is Fresh Fruits and Veggies Month! Create a painting using fresh produce as stamps. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required.