Name: Preschool Explorers
Start: 2025-12-02
End: 2025-12-02
Location: Kalamazoo Nature Center

Calendar of Events

You may register in advance or at the KNC Visitor Center or Welcome Station when you arrive for a number of programs. In some cases, such as workshops like Returning & Reskilling, registration is required so we can plan for materials.

KNC Members receive discounts on programs all year! Learn more about Membership here >

Financial assistance is available; please email for details

Calendar Key:

Pre-Registration Required

Pre-Register or Drop In

Program included with regular KNC admission

Free Program includes free KNC admission

Holiday/Special Hours

November

December 2025

January

SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
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2 Preschool Explorers Preschool Explorers 10:00 am - 11:00 am Come dressed to explore the outdoors while developing early childhood readiness skills. Each week participants will enjoy a nature inspired program based on a monthly theme with centers, a story, a movement activity and a craft. Learn more about this popular program and register here > Fee: $8/Member child, $10/Non- , ...
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4 Homeschool: Explorations Homeschool: Explorations 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Homeschool: Explorations Thursdays, November 6 & December 4, 1:30-3:30 pm This drop-off program is designed just for ages 5–9 and brings learning to life through nature-based activities. One month you might dig into our gravel pit while uncovering Michigan’s natural resources, and the next you could meet KNC’s ama , ... Owls of Whitefish Point Owls of Whitefish Point 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Owls of Whitefish Point Thursday, December 4, 6:30 pm Fee: Member $12, Non-Member $15. Please register. Audience: All Ages Meet: Visitor Center Auditorium Join Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley , renowned wildlife photographers and field biologists, for an engaging presentation on the Owls of Whitefish Point. As foun , ...
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6 Buy Local Art & Gift Fair Buy Local Art & Gift Fair 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday, December 6, 9 am – 4 pm Free admission to the Fair and trails all day! KNC’s Buy Local Art & Gift Fair is back with unique booths from top local artisans. The quality and variety of work, friendly artists, and festive atmosphere have made this an annual tradition you don’t want to miss! Find one-of-a-ki , ...

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9 Preschool Explorers Preschool Explorers 10:00 am - 11:00 am Come dressed to explore the outdoors while developing early childhood readiness skills. Each week participants will enjoy a nature inspired program based on a monthly theme with centers, a story, a movement activity and a craft. Learn more about this popular program and register here > Fee: $8/Member child, $10/Non- , ...
10 Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members Winter Tree ID Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – Noon Join us for a day of discovery as we explore trees in winter! Campers will learn how to spot different trees without their leaves through games, stories, crafts, and o , ... Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Grades 1-5: Full Day, 9 am – 4 pm Fee: $54 KNC members/$60 non-members Winter Tree ID Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – 4 pm Even without their leaves, trees have amazing clues that tell us who they are! Campers will explore bark, buds, and branches to uncover the secrets of winter trees through hikes, games, and hands-on , ...
11 Silver Maples: Behind the Curtain of Animal Care Silver Maples: Behind the Curtain of Animal Care 11:00 am - 1:00 pm December 11, 11 am – 1 pm Audience: Geared for Adults 50+, but all are welcome Meet: Front desk at the Visitor Center Join one of our animal care experts for a talk on the value of ambassador animal programs, and go behind the scenes to see how we deliver our animals the highest quality care possible. Bring your lunc , ...
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13 Foraged Wreaths Class: Returning & Reskilling Foraged Wreaths Class: Returning & Reskilling 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Saturday, December 13, 10 –12:30 am Audience: Adults Meet: Visitor Center Classroom Celebrate the season by partaking in an ancient tradition: wreath making! Learn about the history of the art form and step into our winter wonderland to forage the perfect pieces for your winter decorations. We’ll go step by step so , ... Story Corner Story Corner 10:00 am - 11:00 am Story Corner Saturdays, December 13, January 10, & February 14 at 10 am Join us once a month for a picture book story time featuring a selection of nature-themed books perfect for little explorers. We’ll follow our book with a gentle hike if weather permits, so be sure to bundle up! December 13- Goodbye Autumn, H , ...

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16 Preschool Explorers Preschool Explorers 10:00 am - 11:00 am Come dressed to explore the outdoors while developing early childhood readiness skills. Each week participants will enjoy a nature inspired program based on a monthly theme with centers, a story, a movement activity and a craft. Learn more about this popular program and register here > Fee: $8/Member child, $10/Non- , ...
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20 Winter Solstice Drumming Winter Solstice Drumming 10:00 am - 11:00 pm Winter Solstice Drumming Saturday, December 20 at 10 am Fee: $12/KNC Members, $15/Non-Members Audience: All ages | Meet: Visitor Center Auditorium Celebrate the darkest day of the year by getting warmed up with the powerful drumming of Carolyn Koeble and Dede Alder, connecting to the earth on one of the oldest hol , ... Secrets of Trees in Winter Secrets of Trees in Winter 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Secrets of Trees in Winter Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm Have you ever wondered what our local trees get up to during the harsh Michigan winter? Join one of our naturalists to learn about the ways our flora has adapted to survive the cold season and learn how to identify trees even without leaves. We’ll be outside, s , ...

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22 Bird Houses & Winter Birds: Nature Day Camp Series Bird Houses & Winter Birds: Nature Day Camp Series 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members Special Winter Break Kick Off Camp! Bird Houses & Winter Birds Monday, December 22, 9 am – Noon Campers will discover the world of birds stay through the winter and how they survive the cold! Together we’ll explore , ... Winter Camp: Bird Houses & Winter Birds Winter Camp: Bird Houses & Winter Birds 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Grades 1-5: Full Day, 9 am – 4 pm Fee: $54 KNC members/$60 non-members Special Winter Break Kick Off Camp! Bird Houses & Winter Birds Monday, December 22, 9 am – 4 pm Campers will discover the world of birds stay through the winter and how they survive the cold! Together we’ll explore bird habitats, go on a winter , ... Winter Camp: Bird Houses & Winter Birds Winter Camp: Bird Houses & Winter Birds 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members Bird Houses & Winter Birds Monday, December 22, 9 am – Noon Campers will discover the world of birds stay through the winter and how they survive the cold! Together we’ll explore bird habitats, go on a winter bird walk, and , ...
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27 Creative Corner Creative Corner 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday, December 27, 10 am – 3 pm Audience: Families Meet: Visitor Center Classroom Shake off the holiday cabin fever and join us for a relaxing art day at KNC! We’ll have craft and art supplies available in the Classroom, so drop by and flex those creative muscles. Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; drop in , ...

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30 Winter Camp: Cozy Critters Winter Camp: Cozy Critters 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members Cozy Critters Tuesday, December 30, 9 am – Noon What do animals do when it gets cold outside? Some take a long nap, some move really slowly, and some keep playing in the snow! At camp, we’ll pretend to be winter animals, make co , ... Winter Camp: Winter Survival Winter Camp: Winter Survival 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Grades 1-5: Full Day, 9 am – 4 pm Fee: $54 KNC members/$60 non-members Winter Survival Tuesday, December 30, 9 am – 4 pm Have you ever wondered how animals survive the cold winter months? Some animals curl up for a long winter’s nap, some slow way down, and others stay active all season long! Join us as we explore the , ...
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3 Birds and Coffee Birds and Coffee 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Saturday, January 3, 10 am – 12:30 pm Audience: Adults Meet: Visitor Center Main Lot Without the leaves on the trees, winter is an excellent time for birding. Come ring in the new year by getting out for a guided bird walk at 10:30 am and buy a piping hot drink from Emergency Coffee Rescue to keep warm on the trails. , ... Getting Glacial Getting Glacial 2:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, January 3 at 2 pm Audience: All Ages Meet: Visitor Center front desk Have you ever wondered about the striking topography found at KNC and across the Kalamazoo area? Come along for a hike through some of our most beautiful natural features and learn about the intense glacial forces that shaped this area into , ...