Explore the amazing natural wonders found at the SM&NC!
This series of family programs, led by the Stamford Museum & Nature Center Environmental Education team, explores the amazing natural wonders found on our campus. Programs meet at the Overbrook Nature Center.
Limited enrollment. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Some programs are for SM&NC members only (not a member? Join today!).
Registration for Fall programs (October-December) opens
September 27 for SM&NC members and October 4 to all unless otherwise noted.
Stream Hunters
Sunday, September 19- FULL
3:30-4:30 p.m.
From mayflies to salamanders, there is a great world beneath the rocks and leaves of the stream! Join SM&NC staff for a chance to explore Poorhouse Brook for the amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and fish that call it home. We’ll walk through our stream classroom to see what we can find. Please be prepared to walk in the stream; water shoes are recommended. Meet at Overbrook Nature Center. Limited to 15 participants. Children must be at least 5 to register. All participants require a ticket.
Members: $8/person
Non-members: $11/person
Things With Wings Night Hike
Friday, October 8
6:00-7:00 p.m.
If you missed the first session in August, join us for our fall edition! We'll view the last of the daytime birds as they get ready for the evening, see what fall insects are out and about, and try our hand at calling for our local owls. Limited to 15 participants. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Meet at the Overbrook Nature Center.
Members: $8/ticket
Non-members: $11/ticket
First Fall Bird Hike
Wednesday, September 22
10:00-11:00 a.m.
From migrating raptors to fall warblers, the fall can be a great time to search for birds. We’ll tour around the museum building, Bendel Pond, and our trails to see what we can find. Join Visitors Services Manager and birder Brian O’Toole to learn about what is happening during fall migration and about the birds that will remain at the museum all year. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Binoculars recommended; a few basic pairs will be available for borrowing. Limited to 12 participants. Meet at the Overbrook Nature Center.
Members: FREE
Non-members: $3/person
Drawing Reptiles & Amphibians
Sunday, October 24
Session 1- 1:30-2:30pm Session 2- 3:00-4:00pm
Meet some of our favorite slimy and scaly creatures and learn some tips on how to draw them! Our art educator will introduce you to some amazing animal ambassadors and will provide direction on how to capture their likeness on the page. We'll also have some bones, sheds, and skills to draw as well! Each participant will take home a sketch book & drawing pencil to continue to practice their craft. Each session is limited to 10 children ages 7 and up. Children may be dropped off for this program. Meet at the Overbrook Nature Center.
Members: $12/child
Non-members: $15/child
S'mores & Slides
Friday, November 5
5:00-6:00pm
We are sneaking one more session of our popular S'mores & Slides in for the year! Ever wish you could have Nature's Playground all to yourself? Join us for an evening of open playground followed by a chance to make our favorite campfire treat - S'mores! Our playground will be open to participants for 40 minutes of fun and then we'll gather around our fire pits by the Overbrook Nature Center to enjoy some S'mores!
Members: $10/ticket (includes 1 child + 1 adult)
Non-members: $13/(includes 1 child + 1 adult)
MEMBERS ONLY Family Scavenger Hunt Quest
Saturday, December 11 & Sunday, December 12
10:00am-12:00pm
Whether you know the SM&NC like the back of your hand or you are still exploring, this challenge is a great way to discover all that SM&NC has to offer! Check in Saturday or Sunday anytime between 10-12 at the Overbrook Nature Center to register your family for the hunt! Receive your scavenger hunt form and head out! See how many points you can get and turn in your form for a chance to win some great prizes! Check-in is between 10-12 but families may work on their hunt anytime over the weekend.
Members: FREE
Youth & Family Program Policies
- Refunds may be available for a registered program up to 10 days before the program date. Within 10 days refunds are, unfortunately, not available. Please register carefully. Contact registration at 203.977.6521 for refunds. Programs cancelled by SM&NC will be refunded in full.
- Ticket transfers are not permitted. Only registered parties may attend in their program time/date.
- Please note age requirements. Registrations outside of the age minimums/maximums will be cancelled and may not be refunded.
- Please note registration requirements. Some programs are drop-off and some require adult attendance. All parties 3 and up that attend a program require a ticket for individually-ticketed events.