We now offer TWO monthly sessions for preschoolers!
One is our educational program developed just for ages 3-6 with monthly themes.
The second option is a by-donation Playgroup.
Held twice a month on Friday mornings, Mighty Acorns invites young adventurers to explore the natural world through interactive and hands-on lessons, activities, and outdoor adventures.
Mighty Acorns Educational Programs
The Mighty Acorns Educational Program sessions offer creative, open-ended, exploratory programs developed for children ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers. Each monthly session has an educational theme. Programs occur outdoors as much as possible. We invite young adventurers to explore the natural world through interactive and hands-on lessons, activities, outdoor adventures, and play. This program is held at The Nature Museum and typically involves exploring and learning in nearby nature that includes forest, meadow, the Magic Forest Playscape, and our native plant garden.
Although these sessions are developed for students ages 3-6, older students are welcome if interested. Accompanying siblings/children under the age of 3 are welcome and free with the registration of a primary child.
$17 per child, single session, discounted rates for multi-session registration: $14 per child per session when you register for 3 or more sessions.
Caregivers are free and accompanying children under the age of 3 are free.
Is cost or access a barrier to your participation? We may be able to help. Please email jay@nature-museum.org or call 802-843-2111.
Program Session - February: Animals in Winter
Friday 02/02/24, 10AM- 12
Despite the cold winter wind and snow, wildlife is still on the move in different habitats. In this program we’ll learn more about our wildlife neighbors, how they survive in winter, and how we can discover clues about their winter wanderings! We’ll investigate animal bio-facts (pelts, feathers, track molds, scat, and feet), explore what wildlife clues we’ll want to look for, and then head out on foot or snowshoe with our new knowledge and tools to see if we can piece together what some animals have been up to. Bring your detective skills, warm clothes, and a sense of adventure! We have both adult and children’s snowshoes that can be used for free. If the snow conditions allow, snow play is encouraged for the optional playgroup at the end of our program time! Sled down the hill in the Chapman Meadow, continue to snowshoe, or play and enjoy the winter wonderland. The museum has a few sleds that can be borrowed, but bring your own if you have one.
Program Session - March: Grateful For Maple
Friday 03/01/24, 10AM - 12
Maple syrup is a magical ingredient to our taste buds. Maple syrup is a true sweet treat of nature that can only be made at a special time of year. So, where does maple syrup come from? What happens to get it from tree to pancake? There is a lot of science and effort that happens to make this special sweet syrup. Come discover more about the New England tradition of maple sugaring. If the time is right, we’ll visit a local sugar shack to see maple sugaring in action! Alternatively, we’ll head out to discover nearby maple trees, thank them for their sweet treat, and taste some maple syrup around a campfire. If there is a deep snowpack, we have both adult and children’s snowshoes that can be used for free. If the snow conditions allow, stay afterwards to sled down the hill in the Chapman Meadow, continue to snowshoe, or play and enjoy the winter wonderland. The museum has a few sleds that can be borrowed, but bring your own if you have one.
Program Session - April: World of Owls
Friday 04/05/24, 10AM - 12
Whooo WhOOoo! Learn about what makes these magnificent and silent predators unique. We’ll learn and investigate these animals by observing the museum’s owl mounts and other bio-facts that include hands-on items such as talons, wings, and feathers. We’ll even learn more about what owls eat through an owl pellet dissection activity!
Program Session - May: All About Black Bears
Friday 05/03/24, 10AM - 12
One of New England’s largest waddlers is the American black bear. Although often feared, these sizable mammals are intelligent, sneaky, and beautiful. Come activate your inner bear as we learn about the life of black bears, explore black bear biofacts, snuggle up for a story reading, and engage in the black bear experience!
Program Session - June: Who Lives In A Pond?
Friday 06/07/24, 10AM - 12
Pond habitats are a resource and home to an astounding number of special critters, big and small! We’ll discover more about this important habitat and who relies on it through story reading, highlighted pond-loving species, and direct exploration of a nearby pond. Be sure to come prepared with rainboots or water shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty.
Mighty Acorns Playgroups —by donation, no registration needed
Mighty Acorns Preschool Playgroup sessions offer a welcoming environment for unstructured nature-based free-play and for connecting with others to build community among students and their caregivers/families. Playgroup sessions are open-ended and self-guided, but an educator will be present as a resource to provide direction, introduce participants, and answer questions. Participants will be free to explore inside the museum, the Chapman Meadow, the Magic Forest Playscape, and the nearby Grafton Village Park.
