Bird enthusiasts join a naturalist for a guided walk appropriate for beginner and advanced birders. Most year-round birds are found in the riparian area next to Oak Creek or along the field behind the Visitor Center. The Audubon Society has designated Red Rock State Park as part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Birding Area...
Join Ranger Nikki on an easy hike to learn about a variety of desert plants, shrubs and trees. Join Ranger Nikki for a 3-mile hike on the easy terrain of North Trail to learn about a variety of desert plant life, including bursage, cholla, legume trees and more. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hat,...
Arizona is home to the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa Pine in the world. Come learn more about this fascinating tree species and critters that make homes within its diverse habitats. Led by Ron Miller Suggested donation for adults of $10. Kids and members FREE
You learned how to be FireWise at our program on June 24. Now learn how to be WaterWise! As the planet gets hotter, with more areas around the world suffering life-threatening droughts and more and more water being pumped from underground aquifers, including that underlying the San Pedro River Valley, learning to conserve our precious...
Every morning, a volunteer naturalist leads a guided nature walk informing visitors about the different life zones of Red Rock State Park. The subjects discussed on this walk may include geology, wildlife, history, archeology, and plant life. The naturalists welcome questions during the walk, enhancing the learning experience. Hikes are included with park entrance fees...
Join us for a Resilience Work Session as a part of the monthly Climate Resilience Project. Resilience Work Sessions are hands-on workshops to develop skills related to personal and community climate resilience. This month we will be supporting the Stream Stewards. Help us clean up the Rio de Flag during the Watershed Clean-up Series this...
Use your imagination to create with building blocks. All Library Programs are free and open to the public. All ages welcome!
Join Willow Bend for a Science Saturday that really rocks! Learn about the region’s unique rock formations, Arizona’s geologic history, dig through our rock collection, and more! Fun hands-on activities for all ages. Science Saturday is an event held on the first Saturday of every month from 9:30AM-11:30AM. Each month is focused on a different...
Stop by the McDowell Nature Center to learn about a variety of desert six- and eight-legged critters featured at a table display hosted by Ranger Nikki. Stop by the Nature Center anytime between 10am and 11am to visit with Ranger Nikki and investigate cool arthropod specimens such as spiders, scorpions, beetles, butterflies and other crawling...
Tables of different challenges set for school aged children to explore!
Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals, some of the considerations we must take into consideration when having these reptiles in Arizona, which reptiles are good pets for children or adults, adaptations...
For those who can’t get enough of our African penguins, we invite you to join us for an exclusive up close and personal Penguin Encounter. Go behind the scenes with our Animal Care & Education team to learn specifics about penguin behavior, diet, and reproduction, as well as how we can do our part to...
Who’s it for? Children three to five years old and their favorite grownups. What will you do? Play, read, and discover science with your preschooler! DiscoveryTime is a hands-on program that builds reading skills and introduces children to math and science. What is your child learning? Children learn how to bring out their inner scientist by exploring their world with...
Put on your swimsuit, OdySea Aquarium wetsuit and SeaTREK helmet and get ready to dive in! Our certified guides will take you deep into one of our largest underwater environments in this truly immersive experience where you’ll be surrounded by thousands of colorful and curious marine life from the Indo-Pacific region of the world. WHAT YOU...
Go behind the scenes with our Animal Care & Education team an OdySea Aquarium Team Member to learn specifics about sloth behavior, diet, and reproduction, as well as how we can do our part to help this incredible species and our rainforests. Tour Fee: $69.95 | General Admission Is Required. | Minimum Age 8 Two...
Occulus for all. One hour limit.
STEAM Time is a pop-up makerspace for kids and teens that provides hands-on opportunities to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) through self-guided tinkering. Join us to make, create and play!
Stop by the Nature Center to learn with Ranger Steve about the unique geology of the Sonoran Desert and see some rock specimens up close. Did you know that the Sierra Estrella Mountains are a solid mass of igneous rock over a billion years old? Stop by the Nature Center from 12:30pm to 2pm to...
Explore the art of folding paper! Learn the basics of folding technique and reading diagrams. Depending on student experience level and interest, activities may include folding easy flowers and animals to more complex designs, including modular origami models. Along the way, students can experience basic geometry concepts through hands-on activity. All materials provided by Tynkertopia. Dates: August...
Through generous funding from Mountain Sports Flagstaff and 1% for the Planet, Willow Bend offers guided Downtown Geology Tours. The 45 minute- 1 hour walking tours are based on local Flagstaff author, Marie Jackson’s Stone Landmark’s book. An exclusive and unique opportunity for the community to explore downtown like never before. The tour will cover ancient history...
Learn to sew. Participants will begin with prepared projects to develop skills using sewing machines, then progress to individual projects. All materials provided. Age 10 and up. Adults welcome.
Join Arizona State Parks and the US Forest Service for a fun series of kid programs from May to September! Free with Park Fee
Join Ranger Kevin and learn about these iconic and often misunderstood serpents of the Sonoran Desert. Come to the Nature Center and meet Ranger Kevin from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The theme is All About Rattlesnakes!, so bring your curiosity and your questions. We’ll bust some misbegotten myths about these creatures as well as...
Explore the world of LEGO with us every Saturday from 2-4pm. Children of all ages are welcome!
Kids ages 6-11 are welcome to drop-in to our makerspace where they will explore hands-on creative ways to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). No ticket or registration required.
Code Club is a weekly time when kids can come and learn how to make websites, video games, and apps. It’s informal, fun, and very interactive. Come have fun, make friends, and build cool stuff with us! No coding experience required! Please note: Code Club requires registering an account on app.fierocode.com, the coding platform we use,...
Come watch our certified professional raptor trainers John & Balinda train the owls Funky and Simon, Speedy the hawk, Astro the Aplomado Falcon, and Azul the American Crow. Located in the Rehab structure behind the Nature Center – Use the driveway on the south side of the parking lot. The birds appear one at a...
Ready for fun? Join us every week for a different family activity, such as STEM, art, games, or brick-building. ¿Listo para la diversión? Familias, únanse a nosotros cada semana para una actividad diferente, como STEM, arte, juegos, o construcción de ladrillos de colores.
Make summer shine at Flashlight Nights. Bring a flashlight and enjoy the Garden after dark with performances, cool treats, hands-on activities and creature features. DATE: Saturdays | July 29 - Sept. 2 TIME: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. PRICE: Included with Membership or General Admission July 29 Harmony Project – Mariachi Liberty Wildlife Aug. 5 8...
Join Ranger Steve for an evening hike on the Quail Trail to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Join Ranger Steve for an exciting ~2-mile easy night hike on the Quail Trail to look for nocturnal Sonoran Desert wildlife! Species seen on previous hikes include snakes, lizards, packrats, coyotes, bobcats, owls, spiders, and more! Please...
Experience the universe up-close with our state-of-the-art 24-inch Dyer Telescope. This private, personalized expedition across the stars lasts 75 minutes and offers an exclusive opportunity to view the cosmos through Lowell Observatory’s newest telescope. Because of the sophistication and speed of the 24-inch Dyer Telescope, our specially trained educators can offer you an impressive number...