Children, Family Programs at Three Rivers Parks in December

Editor's note: The following information was provided by Three Rivers Park District. 

Children, Family Activities Dec. 2-13, 2012 at Three River Parks. Space may be limited.

Recycled Bird Feeders

Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Prepare a feast table for the birds. Make bird feeders using milk cartons, pinecones, and meshing. Learn which birdseed attracts which birds. Receive seed and a suet cake to take home.Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112201-01. This program is for ages 5+.

Free Family Funday: Naturalist Hike

Sunday, Dec. 2, from 1-3 p.m., at Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Brooklyn Center. Explore the park with a naturalist guide. Walk through the woods and fields and along the Mississippi River and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Walks leave the interpretive center at 1:15 p.m., 2 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. Drop in anytime. This program is free and open to all ages.

Preschool Drop-off: Kits & Cubs: Hooting Owls

Monday, Dec. 3, from 1-3 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Drop off the kids for an owl-filled day. Search the trails for signs of owls and their prey. Learn what makes owls special, make an owl puppet and play a predator-prey game. Meet our very own live great horned owl and enjoy a tasty snack. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112216-20. This program is for ages 4-5.

Family Clay for Grandparent and Child: Art of the Season

Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Silverwood Park, St. Anthony. Grab your nearest grandparent and head to Silverwood Park to discover the unique qualities of clay through art making. You’ll squish and roll clay with your fingers and discover how it easily changes shape. We’ll explore seasonal holidays and make projects inspired by  nature for you to give or keep. You and your grandparent will work together making a project and at the end of each class, you’ll paint your project with bright colors. Dress for mess. Cost is $15 per child and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #137803-03. This program is for ages 3-6.

Preschool Drop-off: Kits & Cubs: Hooting Owls

Thursday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove. Drop off the kids for an owl-filled day. Search the trails for signs of owls and their prey. Learn what makes owls special, make an owl puppet and play a predator-prey game. Meet our very own live great horned owl and enjoy a tasty snack. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #115916-00. This program is for ages 4-5.

Preschool Drop-off: Lil’ Farmhands — Warm up the Barn

Tuesday, December 4, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Drop off your preschooler to dig right in to the day-to-day life of the farm. Every day your child will lend a hand with farm chores and prepare a farm-fresh snack. Program activities will focus on “Warm up the Barn” for the first three weeks, and “Frosty Farm Fun” for the second three weeks. Sign up for the whole series or each class individually. Cost is $10 and reservations are required by November 29. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #13741626. This program is for ages 4-5.

My Preschooler & Me: Outdoor Adventurers — Let’s Build a Fort!

Wednesday, December 5, from 10-11:30 a.m., at French Regional Park, Plymouth. What do you need to build a fort? Will nature give you sticks and leaves or snow to build with? Join us so you and your little one can gather fort supplies and build a fort of your own! Visit other forts built by friends in the group and show them yours! Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #125103-00. This program is for ages 3+.

Preschool Drop-off: Kits & Cubs: Conifer Trees

Monday, December 10, from 10 a.m.-noon, or 1-3 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Drop off the kids to discover the winter forest. Compare the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees along a walk through the woods. Create an edible garland for a snack and hang one on a tree for the wildlife to eat. Paint with pine needles and make a pinecone ornament to bring home. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112216-01 for the morning program, or #112216-21 for the afternoon program. This program is for ages 4-5.

My Preschooler & Me: Puppet Escapades: Nature Gifts

Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 10-11 a.m., at Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Brooklyn Center. Enjoy the mishaps of puppet gift-giving. Make a natural gift for the animals in the park and place them at the feeding station. After the show, stay for a short hike, craft or other activity to celebrate nature gifts. Adults and children pay the program fee. Cost is $4 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #116903-01. This program is for ages 2-6.

My Preschooler & Me: Book Worms Story Hour: Rocks Rock!

Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 10-11 a.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Most of us love to find a pretty stone. This month’s featured story, “Everybody Needs a Rock,” will speak to everyone’s inner collector. Look for agates. Handle, sort, and name some important kinds of rock, and view some strange ones. Dig and find special stones to take home for your own collection. Cost is $4 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity #112203-01. This program is for ages 2-6.

Preschool Drop-off: Kits & Cubs: Conifer Trees

Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 1-3 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Drop off the kids to discover the winter forest. Compare the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees along a walk through the woods. Create an edible garland for a snack and hang one on a tree for the wildlife to eat. Paint with pine needles and make a pinecone ornament to bring home. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #112216-61. This program is for ages 4-5.

Preschool Drop-off: Lil’ Farmhands — Warm Up the Barn

Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. Drop off your preschooler to dig right in to the day-to-day life of the farm. Every day your child will lend a hand with farm chores and prepare a farm-fresh snack. Program activities will focus on “Warm up the Barn” for the first three weeks, and “Frosty Farm Fun” for the second three weeks. Sign up for the whole series or each class individually. Cost is $10 and reservations are required by December 6. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #137416-27. This program is for ages 4-5.

My Preschooler & Me: Nature Explorers: Deer in Winter

Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Brooklyn Park. Discover how deer and their friends enjoy the winter months.  Follow tracks, search for deer beds, and make a printed picture to take home. Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #115403-07. This is a program for children ages 2-5 with paying adult.

Preschool Drop-off: Outdoor Kids Club — I Can Build a Fort!

Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 1-3 p.m., at French Regional Park, Plymouth. Discover how sticks, leaves and snow can be used to build a cozy fort! Work together to gather supplies, build a fort and, of course, play inside of it! Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #125116-00. This program is for ages 4-5.

Preschool Drop-off: Kits & Cubs: Conifer Trees

Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove. Drop off the kids to discover the winter forest. Compare the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees along a walk through the woods. Create an edible garland for a snack and hang one on a tree for the wildlife to eat. Paint with pine needles and make a pinecone ornament to bring home. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #115916-01. This program is for ages 4-5.

My Baby & Me & The Mississippi: Nature’s Gifts

Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10-11 a.m., at Kroening Interpretive Center, in North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis. Join other parents with small children the same age for an hour of exploration and play. Discover what surprises nature has in store for us, and help your baby create a gift to give to a loved one. Cost is $5 per parent/child pair and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #116903-05. This program is for ages 0-2.