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.
Save-the-date for the 2019 Frog Fest
Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Afternoon Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, Feb. 16, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Join a park naturalist on a one-mile hike around Crowder Pond and help to identify and count the birds that we see along the way. Learn how to identify backyard birds by sight, sound, and other signs. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Preregistration is not required. Meet at the Park Office.
Early Birders
Monday, Feb. 18, 9–10 a.m.
Join us on a winter bird scavenger hunt! Search for common birds of the park and count them along the way. Practice using binoculars and learn how to identify these animals by shape and color. For all ages (recommended for children ages 4–10); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Kids Get Crafty: Bird Bonanza
Monday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.–noon
Birds come in different shapes, sizes and patterns! Stop by to create a "bird." We will bring the materials if you bring the imagination! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); FREE. Registration is not required. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter.
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.
Discover the Park
Saturday, March 16, 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.
Family programs that explore the park at night. Please see program description for meeting location.
Night Birds
Friday, Feb. 22, 5–6 p.m.
Whooo’s active in the park after dark? Find out during a night hike at Crowder! Learn about owls and other birds that are active at night. Bundle up—it is cold outside! For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
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.
A weekday program that is fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Soil, Not Dirt
Tuesday, March 5, 11 a.m.–noon
Dig around in the soil and get dirty. Play a fun game and explore the three types of soil particles, classify soil using the ribbon test, and discover plants and animals lurking under the surface. Pot a flower for your spring garden. For all ages; FREE. 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. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Numbers in Nature
Monday, March 4, 10:30–11 a.m.
Practice your numbers through center-based activities and develop your fine motor skills using natural objects. For ages 18 months–3 years (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Registration is 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 Upper Pavilion.
Magic of Soil
Wednesday, March 6, 11 a.m.–noon
This time of year we start thinking about planting a garden. The “Magic Soil Bag” will teach your child how special and important soil is for healthy plants and wildlife. Join us for a "dirty" snack and choose a flower to plant in our garden. 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.
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Bird Bonanza (GBBC)
Monday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.–noon
See the Great Backyard Bird Count section above for this description.
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.