Mighty Acorns Preschool Educational Programs

The program sessions offer creative, open-ended, exploratory programs developed for children ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers. Our goal is to foster an early love of the natural world and an eagerness to explore and have fun outside! Additionally, these sessions provide a great introduction to the learning environment we cultivate for our Wee Explorers camp experiences, our entry-level camp experience for kids ages 4 & 5.

Program sessions will be held monthly from October - December and February - June. 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 include forest, meadow, pond, river, 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 also welcome and free with the registration of a primary child.

Program sessions, 9:30-10:30, one Friday per month

Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is strongly encouraged.

Cost: $20 per singular session; $15 for 3 or more sessions.

Is cost or access a barrier to your participation? We may be able to help. Please email jay@nature-museum.org.

Playgroup sessions, 10:30-11:30, same day

Drop-in welcome. No registration required.

Cost: Free for day-of program session participants. By donation for drop-ins.

2025 Mighty Acorn Sessions Start Again in October

June: Who Lives In A Pond?

Friday 06/06/25

Program: 9:30AM - 10:30AM

Playgroup: 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Who Lives In A Pond?

Pond habitats provide important resources to all kinds of critters, big and small! We’ll discover more about this important habitat and who relies on it by taking a closer look at a few pond-loving species, explore a nearby pond environment, and maybe even capture some pond creatures to investigate with our own eyes! Be sure to come prepared with rainboots or water shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty.

Mighty Acorns Playgroups

Playgroup sessions will be immediately after program sessions on the same day.

There is no cost if registered for the educational program on that morning. If attending just the playgroup, the cost is by donation. Suggested museum admission donation: $5 per person or $15 per family.

Mighty Acorns Preschool Club: Playgroup Sessions offer a welcoming environment for structured and unstructured nature-based free-play, and a space for connecting with others kids, caregivers, and families. A skilled Environmental Educator will be present to continue curious learning after the program through additional activities, and help foster play through the museum’s great learning resources, indoor spaces, and outdoor spaces. Our goal: To foster an early love of the natural world and eagerness to explore and have fun, especially outside! Playgroup sessions will occur after each program. Participants will be free to explore inside the museum, the Chapman Meadow, the Magic Forest Playscape, and the nearby Grafton Village Park.