Mighty Naturalist Programs
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Ages: 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for adult and infants. Additional older children are charged the same fee.
When: Friday morning 9:30-10:45 am December 5, 19; January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13; March 6 and 27.
Advance Registration Required: Please call 517-782-3453 or click on the individual events below to register online to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration. Registered participants who did not attend the program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Limit per Program: 20 children
>>> Registration is Open <<<
December 2025- March 2026 Schedule
Click HERE to advance to the registration page. Sign up for as many as you would like.
1) December 5 — Secrets of Winter
2) December 19 — Super Squirrely
3) January 9 — Nature’s Textures Art Class
4) January 16 — The Sleepy Owl
5) January 23 — Turtle, Turtle, Turtle
6) January 30 — Beaks!
7) February 6 – Where are the Night Animals?
8) February 13 — From Seed to Plant
9) March 6 — Maple-licous
10) March 27 (Spring Break) — Life Under a Log
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.
Program Descriptions
December 5; Secrets of Winter. What are some actions nature takes and why to survive winter? After story time, we’ll explore and learn about hibernations, migration and adaptations. Find out how animals cope with winter’s worst weather. We will spend a short time outdoors seeking clues before heading into the classroom for hands-on activities and craft time.
December 19; Super Squirrely. If you followed a squirrel for a day, what would you see? Climbing branches, storing seeds, making homes in tree holes, and maybe even flying! Discover different kinds of squirrels as they scamper, eat, and―finally―sleep. We will read a fun story, and go on a squirrely outing to look for clues squirrels are actively busy in winter, and make ‘n take squirrel craft.
January 9; Nature’s Textures Art Class. The morning starts with a story about textures and seeing-feeling different items followed by a short hike to collect natural items to use back in the classroom for experimenting with paints and crayons to discover the simple and fascinating designs. This class offers time for creativity and exploration.
January 16; The Sleepy Owl. Mysterious and beautiful, owls can be found all over the world but their silent flight and low population mean that spotting one is extra special. After story time and discussion about owls, learn some of their calls, take a short walk in the forest looking for homey tree holes, then we’ll head indoors for a fun make ‘n take owl craft.
January 23; Turtle, Turtle, Turtle. Meet live turtles! Have you ever wondered about turtles? How many kinds there are, why they have shells, where they live and what they eat? Let’s find out together as we meet our live turtles! Afterwards, make ‘n take a turtle craft.
January 30; Beaks! What is unique about birds, and what do their characteristics (beak, feet, color, size, etc.) tell us about their life? Enjoy story time, explore bird feathers, take a short birding walk to observe our local birds in action, then return indoors for hands-on ‘bird beak’ activity stations, and a make ‘n take build a bird craft.
February 6; Where are the Night Animals. While people are dreaming of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Who are these nocturnal animals and what are they doing? Interactive story time, short outdoor trail walk seeking clues before we head into the classroom for a make ‘n take craft.
February 13; Seeds to Plants. After story time, we’ll take a short walk to find an assortment of seeds. Where do they come from and how do they get dispersed? Seeds and plants are food, and seeds are also next year’s plants. Today you will plant some seeds in a small pot and grow them at home.
March 6; Maple-licous. The maple sugaring season is a sign winter is ending and Spring is near. Hooray! After a story about maple sugaring, we will take a short walk through the sugar bush to see different methods to collect maple tree sap, look closely at baby leaves (buds), measure trees, try on a yoke, and deliver fresh maple tree sap to our historic sugar shack. We’ll taste test maple sap and real maple syrup, too. Then, we’ll head indoors for a quick craft. This is the only time of year maple sugaring occurs. Don’t miss out!
March 27; Life Under a Log. Some people might see just mushy, rotten log. We see a fascinating habitat for all kinds of organisms. We see a very important step in the life cycle of nature and a fascinating science lesson. Look for yourself! Our time will be spent outdoors starting with a story followed by a walk in the forest to investigate life in and under logs, among leaf litter, under rocks, and down into the soil. You’ll be amazed at what we find hiding in dark places!
