Nature Play

Upcoming Programs

Nature Play is fun for the whole family! Little Critters: Nature Play is a drop-in program where young children can explore rotating themes of nature based activities. Wild Nature Play Club is our monthly family program at the Anacostia Community Museum. See the whole calendar here!

Little Critters: Nature Play

Bird House Classroom

Tu/Th/Sa; 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Little Critters: Nature Play will be closed on Thursday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 5th.

June 21-28: Animal Patterns

July 2-12: Pond Animals

July 15-17: Animal Babies

July 19-24: Farm Animals

 

Ages: Young children (ages 0-8) and caregivers

Location: Bird House Exhibit

Features: Outdoor water play* 

*Water tables will be closed if the heat index is above 100.

Little Critters: Nature Play

Think Tank Classroom

Select Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

June 28: Farm Animals

July 5: Closed 

July 12: Animal Diets

July 19: Animal Diets

 

Ages: Young children (ages 0-8) and caregivers

Location: Think Tank Exhibit

Features: Sensory and imaginative play

Wild Nature Play Club

Wild Nature Play Club

Saturday, August 2, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dig in the dirt! Stomp in puddles! Join us for a nature adventure for the whole family.

 

Ages: Multi-age families with caregiver

Location: Anacostia Community Museum

Features: Outdoor hike

Nature Play in Your School

Nature Play in Your School Application

This summer, National Zoo educators will be hosting a week-long professional development workshop for early elementary teachers designed to show you how to integrate nature play into your school and classroom. Find more information and application instructions here.

Build Your Nature Play Area

Bring the outside indoors with this "shopping list" of items you can use to build a nature play area in your classroom. (Most of these you can find right outside your door!)

Nature Play Activities to Try

Zoo Commissary Dramatic Play

Gather your stuffed animals and make them a meal, just like the Zoo keepers in the commissary. Use the downloadable template to create a Zoo Commissary Cookbook, with simple actions to engage even our youngest friends.

Hue Hike

Take a Hue Hike with Pinky at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Smithsonian Gardens. Discover the colorful nature that surrounds you, whether in a forest or even in a city!

Get Outside!

National Zoo educator Kaden shows you how to Explore Beyond Your Door to discover the wonders of nature! These 5-minute videos are for explorers of all ages but optimized for students in grades K-3.