In-person program: For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Family Features: The Fascinating World of Foxes
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2–3 p.m.
Unveil the secrets of foxes and learn about their behavior, diet and habitat. Explore the forest for signs of foxes and practice your skills of observation to uncover their hidden trails. For all ages; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

Family Features: Winter Tree Walk
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2–3 p.m.
Can you identify your favorite trees in the winter? Join us as we explore our tree trail on a nature hike! Learn how to identify trees using bark and branches and make a few rubbings to take home! Best for ages 5 & up; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

In-person programs: For all ages (best for ages 5 & up). Free. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. Please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Predator Vs. Prey
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.–noon
Delve into the fascinating dynamics of predator-prey relationships in the wild. Explore the strategies predators use to catch their prey and the clever ways prey animals defend themselves. For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Registration is required. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

Nature Families: Snowball Science
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.–noon
Did you know that no two snowflakes are the same? Sip on hot cocoa and observe snow and ice through hands-on science experiments. Don't forget to bring your scarf and mittens! For all ages; FREE. Registration is required, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

In-person programs: For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment. No unregistered participants will be allowed into the program. We ask that you and your family please arrive 10 minutes early for check-in.

Crowder by Night: The Deep Sleep
Friday, Dec. 19, 4–5 p.m.
Learn about hibernation, brumation and estivation and how animals survive extreme conditions. Discover the strategies they use to adapt to their environments. For all ages (best for ages 6 and up, with adult accompaniment). Registration required for all participants. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park. FREE.

Crowder By Night: Owl Prowl
Friday, Jan. 9, 4–5 p.m.
Go on an Owl Prowl and discover the kinds of owls that are found in the Piedmont, what they eat, where they live and what they sound like. Dissect an owl pellet and practice your owl calls. For all ages (best for ages 5 and up, with adult accompaniment). Registration required for all participants. FREE. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

Walk in the Woods

Offered once a quarter. Join one of our naturalist staff on a nature hike around Crowder to see what we can find! Come prepared to hike a mile by wearing closed-toe shoes and bringing a full water bottle. For all ages (best for ages 6 and up). Free.

Discover the Park: Walk in the Woods
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10–11:30 a.m.
Take a walk in the woods and learn about woodland creatures within the park. Explore how plants and animals prepare for winter. For all ages (best for ages 6 & up). Registration is required for everyone, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the Front Office, the first left after entering the park. FREE.

Offered once a quarter. Kids use their imagination to create a different themed craft each season. For all ages. Free. Registration is required for everyone (All adults, children + siblings), and children must have adult accompaniment.

Check back for more offerings!

We hope your tiny tots can join us for a short story time and a fun craft with park educators! For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); FREE. Registration required for all programs, and adult accompaniment is required. We are now also offering Tiny Tots in Spanish! (You do not have to speak Spanish to attend.)

Tiny Tots: Bear Snores On
Monday, Dec. 15, 10:15–11 a.m.
This month's story is Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park.

Tiny Tots: Winter Is the Warmest Season
Monday, Jan. 26, 10:15–11 a.m.
This month we are reading Winter Is the Warmest Season. This poetic book celebrates all the wonderful things that make winter the coziest time of the year. Meet at the Cardinal Shelter, the first right after entering the park. Registration required. FREE.
 

Tiny Tots (Spanish version)
The Spanish version of Tiny Tots will be taking a break until spring. Nos tomamos un descanso de Spanish Tiny Tots hasta la primavera.

Crowder is excited to offer you and your families a wonderful, interactive StoryWalk^® activity within the park!

Join us for this fun self-guided activity. This will be located on the Outer Loop Trail, beginning at the park's Bird Garden, which is immediately on the left as you enter the park, across from the park's office.

This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature. This hike is around 0.8 miles.

New to StoryWalk^® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk^® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk^® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

STORYWALKS^®

December 4–31: Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn Buehner

January 3–31: Winter Lullaby, by Dianne White

Want to explore the park with the knowledge of staff? Check out a discovery box from the park! Discovery boxes are self-guided lesson plans, intended for use by teachers of small classes or parents who wish to educate children without requesting a formal program through the office. All boxes come complete with hands on lesson plans, equipment, story books, guides and take-home activities!

Discovery boxes can be checked out at the park office. Stop by and sign one out today!

For larger groups, please call ahead to 919-662-2850 to reserve a box.

A complete list of activities and age recommendations can be found here.

Birds: Activities Length 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will learn to identify different bird behaviors and common birds of the park.

Bugs: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will familiarize themselves with insect life cycles and bugs found at the park.

Crowder’s Critters: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will familiarize themselves with animals native to the NC Piedmont.

Pond-Go: Activities Length: 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will identify the plants and animals  that live in a pond.

ABC Hike: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will practice their ABCs on a nature walk and learn about habitats around the world.

Wetlands: Activities Length: 30 minutes +; Recommended Age: 6 years of age +
Summary: Students will explore a wetland and learn defining characteristics.

Trees of the Park: Activities Length: 15 minutes +; Recommended Age: 3 years of age +
Summary: Students will explore the parts of a tree, life cycle and discover the trees of the park.

Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.