Politics & Government
City Of Raleigh: Celebrate Take A Child Outside Week With Raleigh Parks
See the latest announcement from the City of Raleigh.
Sep 2, 2021
Join the celebration of Take a Child Outside (TACO) Week Sept. 24-30! This annual event encourages children and families across the country to get outside, explore, and learn more about the local environment.
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Join one of our special programs to learn, play, and spend time together in the wonderful world outdoors! Browse the list of programs below. All programs are free unless otherwise listed and registration is online on RecLink.
Want to explore on your own? Enjoy Raleigh’s nature preserves or borrow a self-guided explorer kit! Supplies are limited. Please contact each location for more information. Backpack kits and loaner equipment are available at:
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- Walnut Creek Wetland Park
- Durant Nature Preserve
- Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
- Lake Johnson Waterfront Center
- Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center at Lake Johnson Park
- Forest Ridge Park
What will you discover about yourself or your backyard?
Fall Flowers and Flyers
Friday, September 24, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Every fall brings thousands of flowers to Wilkerson Nature Preserve's fields -- just in time to fuel fall butterflies, monarchs, and hummingbirds as they prepare for migration. Join us for an outdoor walking program to learn about the flowers of fall, admire their beauty and diversity, and see how protecting fall flowers supports many animals around us.Ages: 5 years and olderFacility: Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Friday, September 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us to make time for playing in nature. Children of all ages, as well as the young at heart, are welcome to join us for imaginative play in a natural setting. Dig for gemstones, make a fort out of natural materials, fly a kite, make mud pies and more. We'll provide the materials and guidance to get you started on a playful adventure. No registration required. Adults must accompany their children.Facility: Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature PreserveAges: All
Register for Nature Play Day(link is external)
Saturday, September 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Many animals are active around sunset or shortly after. Take a walk with a park naturalist to explore the woods and fields at this special time. Look for deer, coyotes and owls. This program is designed for families with young children. Adults must accompany children.Facility: Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature PreserveAges: 5 years and older
Thursday, September 30, 5 to 6 p.m.
Colder weather is coming and many animals are preparing, including praying mantids. Come learn about these wacky insects and their lives. We’ll explore the preserve to search for mantids and their egg cases. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register and pay the program fee. Facility: Horseshoe Farm Nature PreserveAge: 6 years and older
Register for Praying Mantids(link is external)
Monday September 27, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This program is for younger children who have never fished before but would like to try. We will practice with some casting games and then spend some time fishing in the lake. Your child will leave with stickers and fishing themed coloring pages. We will teach them that fishing is fun, join us today. Adult(s) must accompany child(ren), but do not need to register. Advanced registration required.Facility: Lake Johnson Waterfront CenterAges: 4-6 years
Tuesday, September 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This program is great for youth new to fishing. We will go over casting techniques, setting up your rod and reel, and what fish are found in the lake. Then of course we will spend time fishing in the lake. Come see if you can hook one and reel it in. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not required to accompany child(ren). This program is designed to give parent(s)/guardian(s) time to enjoy the park while the child(ren) enjoys the program. Advanced registration is required.Facility: Lake Johnson Waterfront CenterAges: 7-12 years
Register for Kids Fishing(link is external)
Saturday, September 23, 2 to 3 p.m.
Get outside at Lake Wheeler and explore the world around you. This guided hike will encourage you to use multiple senses to make observations along the trail. These walks are designed for the whole family. Routes and topics will be tailored to accommodate the group. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Pre-registration is recommended.Facility: Lake WheelerAges: All
Tuesday, September 28, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Love exploring creeks and ponds? Use dip nets, buckets, and your hands to find out what lives there! We'll get wet as we search for amazing critters in Simpkins Pond, and learn what they can tell us about the health of the water. Please wear rain boots or water shoes if you have them. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults.Facility: Lake WheelerAges: 5 to 12 years
Register for Pond Explorers(link is external)
Sunday September 26, 1 to 2 p.m.
How would you get around the wilderness if your phone and GPS lost power or broke altogether? This course will take you on a journey off the trails inside Lake Johnson Park. You will learn how to how to take bearings, read a topographic map, read a compass, understand triangulation, and much more. No prior experience is necessary. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not required to accompany child(ren). This program is designed to give parent(s)/guardian(s) time to enjoy the park while the child(ren) enjoys the program. Advanced registration required.Facility: Thomas G Crowder Woodland CenterAges: 13 to 16 years
Saturday, September 25, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Want to learn more about the amazing beaver – nature’s ecosystem engineers? During this program you will learn about beaver adaptations with a fun filled activity and even go on a short hike to look for signs of beavers. All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children elementary school age or older. Adult(s) must accompany child(ren). Advanced registration required.Facility: Thomas G Crowder Woodland CenterAges: All
Register for Nature - All About Beavers(link is external)
Thursday, September 30, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
What is herping? Herping is looking for 'herps' or reptiles and amphibians. In this TACO (Take a Child Outside) program, kids will learn about and search for some of the reptiles and amphibians that call the wetland home. Come dressed to spend some time outside in clothing that can get wet or muddy. A change of clothes is recommended, and kids are encouraged to bring rain boots or borrow a pair of ours, if conditions merit.Facility: Walnut Creek Wetland ParkAges: 7 to 12 years
This press release was produced by the City of Raleigh. The views expressed here are the author’s own.