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!
Bird House Classroom ›
Tu/Th/Sa; 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
October 4-9: Animal Poop
October 11-16: Animal Movement
October 18-23: Animal Patterns
October 25-30: Bat Week
Ages: Young children (ages 0-8) and caregivers
Location: Bird House Exhibit
Features: Year-round outdoor water play
Think Tank Classroom ›
Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
October 11: Birds (World Migratory Bird Day)
October 18: Birds (World Migratory Bird Day)
October 25: Animal Patterns
November 1: Animal Patterns
Ages: Young children (ages 0-8) and caregivers
Location: Think Tank Exhibit
Features: Sensory and imaginative play
Wild Nature Play Club ›
First Saturday of the month
Dig in the dirt! Stomp in puddles! Join us for a nature adventure for the whole family.
Next Date: November 1, 2025; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Ages: Multi-age families with caregiver
Location: Anacostia Community Museum
Features: Outdoor hike
Nature Play in Your School
Learn More About Nature Play ›
National Zoo educators share information about the benefits of nature play and provide age and grade-levelled ideas for bringing nature play into your school and classroom.
Build Your Nature Play Area ›
Bring the outside indoors with this "shopping list" of items you can use to build a nature-based sensory 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.