THRIVE OUTSIDE
At Irvine Nature Center, we believe that learning and playtime go hand-in-hand. Children who spend time exploring their natural world build life-long skills like problem solving, creativity, cooperation, and confidence.
Weekend Nature Programs
Spend your free-time at Irvine learning new skills, meeting animal friends, or heading out on a hike. Our public programs offer a unique way for families to spend quality time together. Check out our upcoming programs and events:
- SPRINGfest- Saturday, April 20th
- NEW Animal Art: Learn observational drawing skills with live animals. Multiple dates offered
- May the Forest Be With You- Saturday, May 4th
- Mother’s Day Special: The Kissing Hand- Sunday May 12
Plus, many more!
Learn MoreRegistration opens for Irvine Members January 1st, 2024. General public registration begins January 8th, 2024.
Summer Nature Camp 2024
Exciting explorations, awesome adventures, and delightful discoveries await your child at Irvine! All Nature Camp programs are designed and led by environmental educators and naturalists who bring their knowledge of science, nature, and animals on each exciting adventure. Offering full day camp for children ages 5-12, half day camps for 3-4 year-olds, a one-of-a-kind “Caregiver and Child” camp for ages 6 months to 3 years, and a Counselor-in Training program for 13-16 year-olds.
Learn MoreREGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2023/24 DATES
Day Off Camps and Programs
Your child will love spending their day off from school with Irvine’s award-winning environmental educators for a day of exploration and outdoor fun. Participants will be inspired to explore nature as they are led through a day filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts, and more.
Save the Date for School Year 2023-24:
- Friday, September 15, 2023
- Monday, September 25, 2023
- Friday, October 20, 2023
- Monday, November13, 2023
- Monday, January 15, 2024
- Friday, February 9, 2024
- Monday, February 19, 2024
- Monday, April 1, 2024
- Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Eco-Explorers Afterschool Club
Irvine’s award-winning after-school program, ECO-EXPLORERS, offers students an alternative way to spend time with friends and learn about the natural world – after the bell rings. Students will enjoy time exploring the great outdoors, creating nature crafts, conducting science experiments, and getting to meet live animal ambassadors from Irvine Nature Center. Eco-Explorers is led by Irvine’s environmental educators, one day per week, at your school.
Learn MoreTales & Tails Story Time
Join us every Friday for a FREE story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.
Tales & Tails is made possible in part by:
Little Birds is fully enrolled for Winter & Spring. Enrollment for Monthly Weekend classes occurs seasonally (click to learn more). NEW! Consider Summer Little Birds – a weeklong “camp” for caregiver and child.
Little Birds
Little Birds Classes give your little one the chance to meet new animal friends, create nature crafts, sing songs, and explore outside. Perfect for parents, grandparents, nannies, and other caregivers who are seeking a unique and meaningful experience. New for school year 2023-34, Irvine will be offering a winter mini-session and Weekend Little Birds.
Learn More