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:
- Holidays With Hoot – Saturday, Dec 9th
- Irvine After Dark: PJ Party – Saturday, Jan 13th
- Winter Woods Adventure – Saturday, Jan 20th
- NEW Animal Art: Learn observational drawing skills with live animals. Multiple dates offered
Plus, many more!
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:
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 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, March 25, 2024
- Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Thank you for an amazing summer! Look for Summer 2024 Information in January.
Summer Nature Camp
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 2-3 year-olds, and a Counselor-in Training program for 13-16 year-olds.
Learn MoreLittle Birds is fully enrolled for Fall & Winter. Enrollment for Spring 2024 opens Dec 5.
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