Nature Play Programs

Registration for Fall Nature Play is now open!

Nature play is at the heart of learning at Great Lakes Aquarium. At Chickadees and Kestrels, we emphasize learning through child-inspired and child-directed nature play experiences. Children are encouraged to let their curiosity guide their play as they climb, build forts, jump, examine rocks, and so much more. These types of free play experiences promote the development of observation and questioning skills, safe risk-taking, motor growth, creativity, language skills, empathy, and socio-emotional skills while promoting deep connections to nature.

Nature play programming is available for ages 4-10. Chickadees is a drop-off program open to children ages 4 – 6. Kestrels is a drop-off program open to children ages 6-10. Registration is available for individual dates or the 8-class package.

Chickadees Classes:

Chickadees is a weekly rain or shine outdoor drop-off program where we let nature and our imaginations be our guide as we play with and explore the natural world right outside the Aquarium doors.

Fall 2023

Age: 4 – 6 year olds

Fall 2023 Dates: Weekly classes run September 26 – November 14

Session time:
Tuesdays 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Cost per 8-class package: $90 members | $105 non-members

Cost per individual class: $13 members | $15 non-members
Email Elleyna at eigo@glaquarium.org to request a scholarship application.

Kestrels Classes:

Kestrels is a weekly rain or shine outdoor drop-off program where we let nature and our imaginations be our guide as we play with and explore the natural world right outside the Aquarium doors.

Fall 2023

Age: 6 – 10 year olds

Fall 2023 Dates: Weekly classes run September 29 – November 17

Session time:
Fridays 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Cost per 8-class package: $90 members | $105 non-members

Cost per individual class: $13 members | $15 non-members
Email Elleyna at eigo@glaquarium.org to request a scholarship application.

Questions? Contact Elleyna Igo for more information at 218-740-2010 or eigo@glaquarium.org.