Exploring ostrich ferns during Free Nature Playgroup
Green Mountain Explore

Free Nature Playgroup

Explore the magic of ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ with your young child!

Join us for our Free Nature Playgroup on Monday mornings 9:30 – 11 AM at Green Mountain ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center! Caregivers and their children from infant to 5 years-old meet outdoors for 1.5 hours on a guided exploration with an ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Educator.  

Research shows positive impacts of spending time in nature on a child's physical, cognitive, and social development. The ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Center’s 255 acres of forest, meadow, rivers, and wetlands offer the perfect space for families to gather in community and connect with the natural world. Our goal is to help families start a lifelong journey of exploration and appreciation of nature. 

Program Information
A parent and child in a yellow rain jacket walk down a wooded trail with other parents and kids.
  • When: Monday Mornings from 9:30 - 11 am.  Playgroup will not be held on holidays when the Visitor Center is closed or on select dates that overlap with our day camps or other programming. On these days, we encourage you to come explore on your own! Check out our events calendar for Playgroup dates! {Button Link to Events Calendar} 
  • Who: Children ages birth to 5 years old. Parents and/or caregivers must accompany. Sorry, no older siblings. 
  • Where: In the spring, summer, and fall we meet by the sugarhouse trail kiosk. Please use the Sugarhouse Parking Area. In the winter, we meet by the Education Barn. Please use the Visitor Center Parking Area. 
  • What to Expect: We will do a short walk to a fun location on our property where we will play and explore, often in connection to a seasonal theme. After an hour or so we will end our morning with a bring-your-own snack and a read-aloud story. 
  • What to Bring: This is a nature playgroup! Every week we will likely get wet, muddy, and dirty. We recommend clothing and footwear that can withstand the nature-loving tendencies of your little one. Also, bring any water or snacks you may need. We do not have running water by our sugarhouse. There will be a heated space available in the winter. 
  • Registration: Registration is not required! Please try to arrive on time, but we will leave a note by the trail kiosk of where we are headed if you arrive late.  
  • Cancellation Plan: If we need to cancel the playgroup last minute, we will post a notice on our social media.