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.
The October–December Program Bulletin is coming soon!
Our staff also offers public programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park.
Check out the
Yates Mill programs page for details.
Canine Contests
Saturday, October 29, 1–3 p.m.
Join us for the fourth 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. Meet on the Open Playfield.
Kids Get Crafty: Turkey Time
Saturday, November 12, 11 a.m.–noon
Turkeys have very colorful feathers! Celebrate this Thanksgiving season with crafts all about this important bird! Use recycled materials and feathers to fashion a rafter of turkeys and make a thankful bird. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
Tuesday, September 27, 6–7 p.m.
Tracks can tell us so much about an animal's behavior. Learn to read the land, including who has been here, where they were going and how fast! Observe nature around us on a habitat hike and use bug traps to catch and release your favorite insects. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: FREE! Registration required.
Pondering Pumpkins Sunday, October 30, 2–3 p.m.
Explore the uses of pumpkins, past and present, then study pumpkins inside and out. Where do they come from? How do they grow? Will they float? Find out the answer to these questions and paint a small pumpkin to take home. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
Native Americans Sunday, November 13, 2–3 p.m.
Walk back in time with a park naturalist to learn about the original Americans. Along our journey we will discover edible and medicinal plants and practice our quiet walk. Play games like Native American children and make a fun craft! For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
Microscope Mania Sunday, December 11, 2–3 p.m.
Bring it into focus! Have fun observing living and nonliving natural objects under the microscope and with a magnifying glass. Discover ice and crystals and then sketch what everyday objects look like under the scope in a special science journal. For all ages (adult accompaniment required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
Discover the Park
Bugs
Saturday, September 24, 1–3 p.m.
Meet park staff on the boardwalk to discover fun facts about the bugs of the park! This free discovery table does not require registration.
Walk in the Woods
Saturdays, October 29, November 12 and December 10, 9–10 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. Preregistration not required. Meet at Park Office.
Seeds Discovery Table
Sunday, October 30, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to explore fun facts about the seeds of the park! Registration not required. Located at Park Office.
Deer Discovery Table
Saturday, November 12, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to explore fun facts about the deer of the park! Registration not required. Located at Park Office
Beavers Discovery Table
Saturday, December 10, 1–3 p.m.
Stop by our FREE discovery table to explore fun facts about the beavers of the park! Registration not required. Located at Park Office
Going Batty Friday, October 14, 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, November 4, 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 required.
Mysteries of the Moon Friday, December 2, 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!
Raccoon Rascals Tuesday, October 4, 11 a.m.–noon
There is more to the ring-tailed bandit than meets the eye! Discover the mysteries behind this animal including what their favorite foods are and their unique adaptations. Make a mask of your own then go on a scavenger hunt. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
Tree Drummers Tuesday, November 8, 11 a.m.–noon
There are over 180 species of woodpeckers, and Crowder District Park is home to several of them! Join us as we search out the best tree cavities for these birds. Test your woodpecker hammering skills by playing a fun game and learn about what woodpeckers like to eat while making a bird feeder. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
White-tails in the Woods Tuesday, December 6, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know bucks or male deer can grow a new set of antlers each year? Explore pelts, skulls, tracks and scat of white-tailed deer through hands-on discovery stations. Then learn about the dangers for white-tails by playing a fun predator and prey game. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); fee: $1/person. Registration required.
A half-hour weekday program for children ages 18 months to 3 years old
Bugs in Nature Monday, October 3, 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, November 7, 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.
Raccoon Tune Wednesday, October 5, 1–2 p.m.
Did you know young raccoons are called kits? Learn all about these ring-tailed mammals through hands-on discovery, stories and a fun craft! Then learn how to walk like a raccoon and search for the favorite foods of this nocturnal critter. For ages 3–5 (adult accompaniment is required); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
Woodsy Woodpeckers Wednesday, November 9, 1–2 p.m.
If you hear a loud hammering sound in the woods, you might be near a woodpecker! Learn how to identify woodpeckers and distinguish them from other birds, and play woodpecker match up. Then make a fun craft. For ages 3–5 (adult accompaniment is required); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
White-tailed Wonders Wednesday, December 7, 1–2 p.m.
There are a lot of dangers in the woods for deer and rabbits! Read a story about these mammals, practice hiding from predators during a fun game and then make a craft. For ages 3–5 (adult accompaniment is required); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
In these programs, kids will discover the natural world through hikes, hands-on nature activities, outdoor exploration, games and crafts. Meet at the Park Pavilion. For ages 6–9. Fee: $4/child. Preregistration is required.
Masked Bandits Wednesday, October 5, 11 a.m.–noon
Raccoons are excellent climbers, quick on the feet and fast swimmers – no wonder they make excellent "thieves in the night"! Discover the adaptations of these mammals by studying scat, skulls and a pelt! Learn how to track raccoons in the wild then make your own track. For ages 6–9 (this is a drop-off program); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
Woodpeckers in the Wild Wednesday, November 9, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you know why woodpeckers tap on trees or where they build their nests? Explore these questions and more as we learn the parts and adaptations of the woodpecker through a class of hands-on discovery. Then go on a habitat hike to search for these neat birds and their nesting cavities. For ages 6–9 (this is a drop-off program); fee: $4/child. Registration required.
Flashes of White Wednesday, December 7, 11 a.m.–noon
White-tailed deer are shy, cautious and very nervous animals. Learn all about communication, habitat and the diet of deer and rabbits through games and hands-on activities. Then go on a habitat hike searching for tracks and signs of white-tails in the park. For ages 6–9 (this is a drop-off program); fee: $4/child. Registration required.