Enjoy a guided tour of the gardens of Historic Canoa Ranch. Join Raydine Taber from the Green Valley Gardeners to explore the variety of themed gardens within the ranch headquarters. DIRECTIONS: Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Green Valley 85622 From Tucson - Take 1-19 south to exit 56 - Canoa Road. Go...
This casual meet-up is perfect for those who enjoy going outside, sketching, observing, and meeting fellow nature enthusiasts. Join the Southern Arizona Nature Journal Club to learn about Nature Journaling, and immerse yourself in the natural world. The group meets at our park’s entrance at 7 am and explores a different aspect of the park each week....
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...
Plateau Perspectives: Nature Through Art celebrates the profound and evolving relationship between art, ecology, and the unique landscape of the Colorado Plateau. Set amid the natural beauty of the Arboretum at Flagstaff, this exhibition invites artists to explore and amplify the stories of native plants and ecological processes that define this extraordinary region. The exhibition centers...
This Summer, join a ranger at 9 am for a 45 to 60 minute fossil discovery walk. This is a fun, family-friendly activity. The program is a favorite of Junior rangers who are able to explore a fossil bed and discover brachiopods, sponges, and other marine creatures preserved here in limestone for millions of years....
Come explore the Children’s Garden every Tuesday and Thursday morning! Water the plants, discover vibrant flowers, observe buzzing insects, and check out the veggies and herbs—there’s always something new to see and learn!
Stop by to chat with Ranger Eric and ask your nature-related questions or show your nature photos! Do you have questions about nature or the Sonoran Desert you’ve been wondering, or have animal or plant photos you want some help identifying? In honor of World Ranger Day today, stop by and talk with Ranger Eric...
The Museum Demonstration Lab at the Painted Desert Visitor Center is where you can see one-of-a-kind fossils from Petrified Forest National Park being prepared by trained paleontologists! Peek through the window to see fossils from the museum collection. Watch a live microscope feed on the TV as paleontologists remove rock from fossil bone. Chat with...
Construct a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in the Art Studio using recyclables plus a dash of imagination!
Join a Park Ranger on the outside shaded patio overlooking the magnificent saguaro forest to learn a little about the unique diversity of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. 30 minutes. Wheelchair accessible.
Enjoy koi fish feeding in the Conservatory every morning as aquatic experts share their knowledge about this unique and beautiful species. Meet “Hoover”, and the important role he plays in the pond that takes center stage at Butterfly Wonderland’s Conservatory! FREE WITH ADMISSION
Celebrate the summer monsoon season with Thunderstorm Thursdays at Children’s Museum Oro Valley—a weekly storytime and craft session designed to spark curiosity and creativity in little learners! Kids will dive into desert weather through hands-on fun, from lightning-inspired art to rainy-day tales. Each visit to CMOV this summer counts toward the Kids Cactus Club, CMOV’s summer-long reward program!...
Join Butterfly Wonderland for a magical adventure in the Butterfly Theater! Dive deep into the rainforest with a Story Time session, featuring captivating tales about butterflies and other rainforest critters. Parents and kids will embark on an exciting journey through these lively stories read by dynamic storytellers each week. Many of these delightful books will...
Come by and visit Ranger Kevin to learn about some of the animals native to the Sonoran Desert. Have a picture of a critter, but don’t know what it is? Want to know what you might have seen scurrying across the trail? Drop in on this Discovery Station with Ranger Kevin. There will be objects...
Join Ms. Tammie for STEM activites this July! Grades K - 6
Explore the wonders of the Colorado Plateau—right at your fingertips! Join us today at the Museum of Northern Arizona from 10 a.m. to noon and explore our Fossils Touch Table. Our friendly museum guide is ready to share fascinating stories about the region’s natural wonders. FREE with Museum admission.
Learn about Grand Canyon's natural world on a one hour guided walk on a paved pathway along the canyon rim. Topics vary and may include: animals and plants adapting to changing seasons, man's impact on nature, how nature inspires writers and poets, rare and endangered species, or Indigenous people's use of plants and animals. Program duration:...
Join a Park Ranger at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center for a quick presentation about Glen Canyon. Topics vary.
Today is World Ranger Day, and we’re celebrating by sharing some of our favorite places, pictures and experiences of the fabulous Maricopa County parks system with you. Join Ranger Kevin as we celebrate World Ranger Day! What do Maricopa County’s Interpretive Rangers do? What’s a typical day like? What’s it like to handle venomous animals?...
We’re celebrating our Rangers for World Ranger Day! Come talk to Ranger Shaun about what it’s like to be a Ranger! Rangers go some pretty cool places and do some pretty weird things. Moreover, they LOVE to talk about it. So for World Ranger Day, we decided to let them. Come ask Ranger Shaun your...
Come build with us! Move from station to station exploring and building with a variety of different mediums. Use KEVA Planks, LEGOs or Lincoln Logs to bring your ideas to life! Whether you build with a friend or on your own, there will be something for children of all ages!
Join a park ranger at the Red Hills Visitor Center for a theater presentation about Saguaro National Park’s unique cultural, historical and natural resources. Presentations vary daily depending on the Ranger hosting, but a few popular ones go over: wildlife in the park, plants in the park (including saguaros), local indigenous culture, park history and even...
Enhance your afternoon with quick insights into the geologic story of Grand Canyon at our "Geology Talk" ranger program - presented daily at 2:30 pm. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape. The program is 30 minutes long and is accessible. Grand Canyon is one-mile deep, up...
This program will feature different activities such as crafts, games, LEGOs, etc... Intended for children 5-12. All children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. All library programs are free and open to the public.
Explore your SMART side with a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities and projects. Activities are open play, but staff will be on hand for guidance. Please be aware that materials used are age specific and caregiver supervision is required. Open STEAM Lab (ages 6-12): Thursdays, 4 pm
STEAM is science, technology, engineering, art, and math all wrapped into one. STEAM combines subjects that are known to increase critical thinking and problem-solving skills through fun and unique hands-on learning opportunities. As a means of enhancing the learning experience while demonstrating how all things are connected. Participants will be able to explore through curiosity...
Families are welcome every Thursday to design, create, and collaborate! Try out sewing, animating, programming, inventing, and more! Join us to CrEaTE! Every Thursday. Every Thursday, 4:30-6:00 Free thanks to generous support from the Rosenbluth Family Foundation No need to signup, just show up: 301 N. Willard St. Room 202