Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Through outdoor, hands-on, childcare programs, ALNC is leading the way to engage, educate, and empower the next generation of stewards of the land for a healthy, happy, and sustainable future.

Henry Vilas Zoo

Henry Vilas Zoo, 702 S. Randall Ave, Madison, offers programming for babies and toddlers (select Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and preschoolers (select Fridays or Saturdays) and their caregivers to explore the zoo. There may be waitlists for registration.

Hike and Heal Wellness

Hike and Heal Beginnings is a space for youth to build skills, benefit from nature-connection and mindful self-care, and learn how to express themselves in healthy ways. Parents are invited to join in on the fun.

Holy Wisdom Monastery

Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, is a “living laboratory” for students featuring restored prairie, oak savannah, wetland preserve, and nature trails overlooking Lake Mendota. 

Lussier Family Heritage Center

The Lussier Family Heritage Center, 3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison, provides outdoor and environmental education experiences for all ages and ability levels. Programs held throughout Dane County Parks.

Monona Public Library

The library offers a Nature Playgroup most Tuesday mornings as a way for children (younger/older siblings welcome) and their adults to socialize outside. Activities include open-ended play, blocks, storytelling, puppets, scavenger hunts, and crafts.

Nature Net

Nature Net connects children, families, and educators to nature through hands-on, outdoor learning and exploration across South Central Wisconsin and beyond. The event calendar includes offerings from Madison Parks, MSCR, Rooted, and 20 other organizations.

Naturing in Madison

Naturing in Madison is passionate about getting families outside with year-round outdoor experiences. Classes and camps are often held at Madison area parks, such as Hoyt, Westmorland, and McGaw. 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Every day there are opportunities to explore and celebrate the natural wonders of plants at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison. Learn and grow with indoor and outdoor programs.

Outdoor Adventure Steeped in Story

Storytelling naturalist Coral Conant Giles offers OASIS, a fully outdoor, nature immersed opportunity for kids to lead their adventure through exploration and imagination while being supported in social-emotional development and risk assessment.​

Outdoors
We Learn

Mostly we play. We also explore. We learn about nature. We spend time outside with each other. OWL offers school year and summer programs for students ages 4-16 at outdoor locations in the Madison area.

Schumacher Farm Park

Located at 5682 Hwy 19, Waunakee, explore mindfulness, creativity, nature, stories, and songs during Kids on the Farm on Wednesday evenings. On days off of school, older kids can join Farm Explorers.

UW-Madison Arboretum

Enjoy monthly nature walks and programs geared to preschool and elementary-school age kids, held indoors and outdoors on the trails. All events begin at the Visitor Center, 2880 Longenecker Dr, Madison.

Wild Harvest Nature Connection

Homeschool programs are a cohort of kids, adults, and grandparents who meet at the same location through multiple seasons using routines that spiral us into connection with ourselves, each other, and the land.