Community Programs

The Great Egg Hunt &
Spring Celebration

March 28, 29 & 30, 2024

School
Break Programs

Spring Fling: April 15-19

Birds of Prey
Shows

June 2024

Great American
Campout

June 22-23, 2024

Night
Hikes

July 2024

Cider
Saturday

September 2024

Halloween
Spooktacular

October 2024

Awesome
Autumn Day

November 5, 2024

Thanksgiving
Weekend Waddle

November 30, 2024

Winter
Wonderland

December 2024

Adopt-a-Tree:
Maple Syrup Program

January 2025

Syrup Saturday:
A Pancakes & PJs Party

March 2025

Owl Moon
Night Hike

 January 2024

Let the light of the FULL moon be your guide as we explore magic in the woods and unravel the mysteries of our nocturnal neighbors, the owls. We’ll discover how owls use their keen senses to navigate the night and learn first-hand how they can hunt in the dark. We’ll even “give a hoot” and see if we can identify owls by their tell-tale calls, before getting to meet a couple owls up close & personal.

Program will include an interactive night hike and live owl presentation.

Winter
Break Programs

February 2024

Calling all children, ages 3-7! Out of school and looking for some wintry fun in the great outdoors? Come on down the hill and join other enthusiastic kids as our expert staff lead a variety of Winter themed adventures throughout the 40-acre expanse of NCNC. For children, ages 3-7 only.

Holiday
Break Programs

December 2023

Perfect for children, ages 3-5! Come on down the hill and join other enthusiastic kids as our expert staff lead a variety of wintry adventures throughout our 40-acre preserve and celebrate the holiday season in true NCNC fashion as nature intended.

Creatures of the Night…
Hike!

August 2023

How do your nighttime senses compare to those of the nocturnal animals that call NCNC home? Join us for an interactive sensory night hike adventure and try your hand at our naturalist-led challenges to find out! First, we’ll put your night vision to the test to discover if you can see as well as an owl in the dark. Then we’ll focus on your sense of smell, hearing, and touch! We’ll wrap up the night with one of our favorite summer activities… roasting marshmallows around the campfire!

Program will also include the opportunity to meet a couple of the nature center’s nocturnal animal ambassadors up close and personal.

Earth Day
Extravaganza

April 2023

Come join the New Canaan Nature Center and our Pollinator Pathway community partners for an Earth-centric celebration in honor of Earth Day! Enjoy nature walks, sustainable crafts, meet the animals, live music, and more.

Holiday Season
Scavenger Hunt

December 23 – January 4

Ongoing: Now through January 4th

Grab the entire family (and any lingering holiday visitors too!) and head on down to the New Canaan Nature Center! Enjoy a special holiday scavenger hunt around the nature center property: search our forests, fields, and ponds for clues that will help you solve a fun holiday riddle. As an extra holiday bonus, share your answers with us for a chance to win a special prize.

Drop-in anytime from dawn to dusk!

Download your copy of our Holiday Season Scavenger Hunt today!

Virtual Animal
Meet & Greet Series

Wednesdays, through April 28th

Weekly on Wednesdays, March 3rd – April 28th (excluding April 7th)
3:00 PM

Join us for a FREE Zoom animal meet & greet program!

Each week, join an NCNC Naturalist to meet a couple of LIVE animals to learn about what makes them unique: where they live, what they eat, and how they are well-adapted to survive in their habitats. 

March 3 – Rabbit + Guinea Pig
March 10 – Hedgehog
March 17 – Chinchilla + Ferret
March 24 – Fantastic Frogs & Toads
March 31 – Box Turtle & Russian Tortoise
April 14 – Painted Turtle & Yellow-bellied Slider
April 21 – Snakes!
April 28 – Leopard Gecko & Bearded Dragon

Pre-registration begins Tuesday, February 16th and is required by 4pm on the Tuesday before each program.

Upon registration, a Zoom link will be emailed to you. 

Donations are greatly appreciated. 

Fall Family
Fun Day

November 2021

The 2020 Fall Family Fun Day is SOLD OUT.
Please join us next year!

Tuesday, November 3rd
10:00am – 1:30pm

Vote for Nature on Election Day! Come on over to NCNC to enjoy a beautiful autumn day with your kids and the NCNC naturalists. Take part in family-friendly field games (such as pumpkin ring toss, corn hole, sack races, and parachute games), enjoy an autumnal craft of two, roast a marshmallow over the campfire, and even get to meet some of our beloved animal ambassadors. You also won’t want to miss out on these traditional fan favorite activities: apple slingshots, the crazy maze, and our mini zipline! Refreshments (warm apple cider, hot cocoa, pizza, cider donuts, and popcorn!) will be available for purchase. This event is rain or shine.

Choose from 1 of 2 available time slots:
Session A: 10:00am – 11:30am (SOLD OUT!)
Session B: 12:00pm – 1:30pm (SOLD OUT!)

This fun and safe outdoor event is limited to 60 people per time slot to allow for social distancing. 

Face coverings are required for all guests over the age of 2, except when eating. 

Members: $10/person
Non-members: $15/person

Pre-registration by Friday, October 30th, at 12pm is REQUIRED. All attendees (children + adults) must purchase a ticket.