Animals and people hide things for various reasons.  In nature, animals hide their young to protect them from predators.  Pirates hide stolen treasure to protect it from being stolen yet again.  One of the most effective ways to hide something is by “camouflaging” it.  Mother Nature is full of creatures that are experts when it comes to hiding!  Join this fun class to explore the amazing ways animals use camouflage to survive!

Would you like to try your hand at making a zoo with some of Minnesota’s wildest creatures to bring home?  In this nature and art program, we will learn about and create native animals using the ancient art of paper folding known as Origami.  Learn to make a creeping critter, a beaked buddy, a pond pouncer and others!

When we think about agriculture, we usually think about plants!   Whether it’s growing plants to provide us food, clothing, medicine, and shelter or feeding them to live stock (or wild animals) … we can’t live without plants!  We’ll become plant detectives and explore the many roles that plants play. Spring is when we really get excited about plants because soon farmers will be planting crops and gardeners will be planting flowers and vegetables.  We’ll get a head-start on Spring with activities such as making a garden-in-a-glove and a grass pet to grow and care for! 

Sounds of Spring

Hooray!  The first day of spring is March 20!  Ribbit, ribbit--that's one of the many sounds we might hear this spring as frogs and toads come out of their winter homes.  Trickle, trickle. Spring brings warmer weather. That weather melts any snow and ice which trickles through streams and rivers. Trickling water is an important part of life for animals and plants.  Chirp, chirp.  Spring brings birds who are busy making nests and laying eggs.  Folks who spend a lot of time in the outdoors understand that there are certain sounds that herald the coming of spring.  Join us to learn more about these sounds as we hike through Sparks Park!