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:
PUBLIC NOTICE
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space has made the decision to cancel all public programs and non-essential gatherings at its parks, effective Saturday, March 14, 2020, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes the group and public programs, special events, shelter reservations and overnight stays. These cancellations will remain in effect until April 15, 2020, when the county will reevaluate the situation. Our parks will remain open. The No. 1 priority of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space is the safety and well-being of our visitors and employees.
There is no charge for all Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space public, group and outreach programs. Fees still apply for camps and shelter rentals.
We 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.
Special Event
Pond Palooza
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Join us for this family-friendly event focused on amphibians, reptiles and their habitats. Learn about frogs and the clean water we all need. Enjoy fun activities such as crafts and games, meet and greet with live animals, and view a variety of exhibitor displays. For all ages; FREE! Registration is not required.
Please visit the events main page for more details.
Programs that are fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Let's Talk Turtles
Sunday, April 19, 2–3 p.m.
Crowder is home to many different types of turtles. Discover the turtles that live here and examine the special adaptations they have in order to survive. Walk down to the pond to play turtle bingo and then meet some of our fascinating turtle residents up close. 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
Sunday, May 17, 2–3 p.m.
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 our container garden. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Beautiful Butterflies
Sunday, June 21, 2–3 p.m.
Explore the types of butterflies that call the park home and the different stages of their life cycle. Identify the special adaptations that butterflies have, and go on a nature hunt to search for the perfect butterfly habitat! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Crowder by Night
These family programs explore the park at night. Meet at the Heron Shelter.
Night Time Explorers
Friday, April 3, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
The park comes alive after dark! Let the moon guide your way as we stroll around the pond in search of these night-time critters. Play fun games and try to catch some nocturnal bugs! Don't forget a flashlight to spot the spiders! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Fantastic Frogs
Friday, May 8, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Rribbit! Listen to the chorus of frogs and toads as the sun sets at Crowder Park. Sort through facts about toads and frogs, play froggy bingo, and make a herp hotel! Then walk down to the pond and hear our amphibian friends in action! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Summer Fun
Friday, June 26, 7–8 p.m.
Join us for a night of family fun at the park! Play nature games, observe nocturnal animals and roast s'mores around the campfire. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This weekday program is fun for the whole family! Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Super Senses
Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know crickets can hear using their feet, or that a rabbit's tongue has 17,000 taste buds? Discover fun facts about your five senses through hands-on activities and a nature walk. Explore prickly versus tickly objects, take the taste bud test and make a smelly craft. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Beetle Mania
Tuesday, May 26, 11 a.m.–noon
One in every four animals on Earth is a beetle! Beetles are everywhere! Learn the life cycle of beetles and compare and contrast them to different insects. Go on a bug hunt to discover beetles and use a magnifying glass to look at them up close! Then make a beetle craft to take home. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Ant Antics
Tuesday, June 16, 11 a.m.–noon
Ants can lift and carry more than three times their weight! Hunt for ants in the garden, observe them in action and play a fun game to discover how they build their colony. Wrap up the hour with a fun snack of “ants on a log.” For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This weekday program is for ages 3–5. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Hear Here
Wednesday, April 29, 11 a.m.–noon
Do you hear that? Discover the sounds of nature at the park through games and hands-on activities! Read "The Listening Walk" and go on a scavenger hunt using just your ears! Then make a turtle tambourine! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Billions of Beetles
Wednesday, May 27, 11 a.m.–noon
Beetles are one of the coolest groups of insects on Earth. They are known as living jewels because of their shiny colors. Read "The Very Clumsy Click Beetle" and make your own flipping beetle. Then go on a bug hunt to find beetles and bugs! For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Amazing Ants
Wednesday, June 17, 11 a.m.–noon
Ants are amazing creatures, and they are always on the go. Learn the parts of an ant using play dough, create an ant restaurant to discover their favorite foods, and go on an ant hunt to look at them under a magnifying glass! Then make a fun craft to take home. For ages 3–5; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment.
This half-hour weekday program is for children ages 18 months to 3 years old. Meet at the Upper Pavilion.
Colors in Nature
Monday, April 20, 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.
Movement in Nature
Monday, May 11, 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.
Animals in Nature
Monday, June 1, 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.
This weekday drop-in program 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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Eco-Crafts
Monday, April 6, 11 a.m.–noon
Help us celebrate Earth Day 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 4, 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 Fruit & Veggies
Monday, June 29, 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.
Discover the Park
Hiking fun for the whole family. No registration required. Meet at park office.
Walk in the Woods
Turtles – Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m.–noon
Birds – Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.–noon
Flowers – Friday, June 19, 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 Resources Inventory Database and other citizen science projects. All experience levels are welcome. We can learn together! For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required. Meet at the Park Office.