Crowder District 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:
Now Available!Ready to sign up? Register online for public programs.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.
Canine Contests
Saturday, Oct. 28, 1–3 p.m.
Join us for the fifth annual Canine Contests! We're looking for the best dog tricks and canine costumes in Wake County! If your dog has a special talent and/or a super cool costume, come and show us during this afternoon of fun. For all ages; FREE. Registration not required.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
November 1–30
Our fifth annual food drive will be held during the month of November. All donations benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. We encourage you to get involved in your community and support a good cause like this one. Help us make this year our biggest one yet!
Save-the-date for the 2018 Frog Fest
Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Reptiles Rock!
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2–3 p.m.
Meet "Popcorn," our Corn Snake, and her reptile friends! Learn unique reptile adaptations, observe scales using hand lenses, and find out what makes these critters so special. Then discover what other reptiles might live at Crowder District Park. For all ages; fee: FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Creepy Crawlies
Sunday, Oct. 15, 2–3 p.m.
Snakes, Spiders, Bugs and Beetles! You either love em' or you hate these "scary" critters. Explore the world of these squirmy animals and their roles in their habitat. Prepare to face your fears and even meet a few of our own creepy crawlies here at the park! For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Giving Thanks
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2–3 p.m.
November is a time to be thankful! Celebrate the natural world and where our favorite Thanksgiving foods come from. Investigate corn under microscopes and hand lenses, learn the difference between fruits and veggies, and make a Thanksgiving craft. For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Winter Wrap Up
Sunday, Dec. 17, 2–3 p.m.
Winter is a great time to explore nature at the park! Join a naturalist and learn how to identify tracks, explore conifers, and drink pine needle tea. Then observe snow and ice through hands-on science experiments. Don't forget to bring your scarf and mittens! For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Discover the Park
Saturdays, Sept. 23, Oct. 14, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, 11 a.m.–noon
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.
Discovery Tables:
Saturday, Sept. 23, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to explore the bugs of the park! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Saturday, Oct. 14, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about seeds! Registration is not required. The display table is located by the Upper Playground.
Saturday, Nov. 18, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to explore fun facts about deer! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Saturday, Dec. 16, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to learn about beavers! Registration is not required. The display table is located at the Upper Playground.
Night Lights
Friday, Sept. 29, 7–8 p.m.
Lights help us see in the dark, but what happens when there is too much light at night? Explore light pollution and how different shades of light affect wildlife. Measure the stars and discover the importance of the moon for sea turtles. Then have fun with glow sticks! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration is required.
Going Batty
Friday, Oct. 20, 6–7 p.m.
Did you know that NC has 16 species of bats? Learn how bats live, why they are important members of our natural community, and sort through bat facts and fiction. Go on a night hike and look for these night-time flyers and then play a fun batty game! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
Survivor Skills
Friday, Nov. 3, 5–6 p.m.
Do you know how to survive in the woods? Learn tips and tricks on how to live off of the land. Build a temporary shelter and learn which plants are safe to eat. Then play a fun orienteering game. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration is required.
Mysteries of the Moon
Friday, Dec. 8, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Is the moon made of cheese? Is there a man in the moon? Sip on some hot cocoa and listen to some of the stories people have told about the moon and find out if there is truth to them. Then learn about the moon through hands-on activities, crafts, and more. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
A weekday program that is fun for the whole family!
The Needs of Seeds Tuesday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you know that seeds provide the bulk of the world's daily food? From your breakfast cereal to your dinner pizza, your food started as a seed! Learn the parts of a flower and what a seed needs to grow. Create a seed mosaic and then take home a Lima bean to grow in your window. For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Spooky Spiders
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know there are over 40,000 different species of spiders! Join us as we explore a few arachnids found in our park as we search out these 8-legged creatures. Learn how and why spiders build webs and then make a fun craft about these creepy critters. For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Compost Creatures
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you know that an earthworm can eat the equivalent of its weight in just one day? That is why they are so great for compost bins and the forest floor! Learn about animal decomposers and the important role they play in the natural food chain. See these critters in action in a hands-on activity, then eat a wormy snack! For all ages; fee: $1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Getting Ready for Winter
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.–noon
In winter, we bundle up and turn on the heat. What do animals do to get ready for winter? Discover nature’s secrets for staying warm as we play a game about preparing for winter. Learn about hibernating animals and sip on hot cocoa. Then take home a fun craft! For all ages; fee:$1/person. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
A half-hour weekday program for children ages 18 months to 3 years old
ABCs in Nature
Monday, Sept. 11, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your ABCs and develop your fine motor skills through games and hands-on activities. Play a letter game and go on a scavenger hunt! For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); fee: $2/child. Registration is required.
Bugs in Nature
Monday, Oct. 2, 10:30–11 a.m.
Explore bugs of different colors and shapes through centers, songs, and stories. For ages 18 months to 3 years (adult accompaniment is required); fee: $2/child. Registration required.
Leaves in Nature
Monday, Nov. 6, 10:30–11 a.m.
Red, yellow, orange, and brown – leaves come in all different sizes and colors. Practice your color and shape recognition through centers, songs and stories. For ages 18 months to 3 years (adult accompaniment is required); fee: $2/child. Registration required.
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 Park Pavilion. For ages 3–5 with an accompanying adult. Fee: $4/child. Preregistration is required.
Super Seeds
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1–2 p.m.
Seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Sort seeds from trees, plants, and flowers to discover the many seeds of the park. Learn which animals like to eat seeds of trees and flowers. Then make a living necklace to take home! For ages 3–5; fee: $4/child. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
The Very Busy Spider
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.–noon **NEW TIME**
Spiders come in all shapes and sizes! Read "The Very Busy Spider" by Eric Carle and go on a spider hunt to observe these cool arachnids up close. Learn fun facts about webs and then untangle a fun prize from a giant web! For ages 3–5; fee: $4/child. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Wiggly Worms
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m.–noon
Earthworms have an important job – they help us make rich soil! Learn all about these natural recyclers through a fun story, hands-on activity, and even hold a worm if you choose! Make a wiggly worm craft to take home. For ages 3–5; fee: $4/child. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Time to Sleep
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you know what raccoons, bats, bears and frogs all have in common? They all hibernate in the winter! Read a fun story about a bear settling down for a long winter nap and make a winter-themed craft. Then learn which animals in the wild hibernate, and how fat keeps these critters warm in a fun science experiment. For ages 3–5; fee: $4/child. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Kids Get Crafty
Autumn Leaves
Monday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m.–noon
Fall is almost here! To celebrate, make a craft inspired by the leaves changing colors. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration is not required.
Marvelous Monsters
Monday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.–noon
Come celebrate Halloween with us a day early! Create a monster craft to take home. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration is not required.
Turkey Time
Monday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.–noon
Turkeys have very colorful feathers! Celebrate this Thanksgiving season with crafts all about this important bird! We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration is not required.
Welcome Winter
Monday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m.–noon
The first day of winter is right around the corner! Help us welcome the season by making a snow-globe to take home. We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE. Registration is not required. |