Irvine Nature Center
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Early Childhood Programs Blog

rain play

Oh My Gourd, it’s a Creature of the Night!

October 27, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

  Happy late October! As this month wraps up, the Forest Dreamers have been feeling the inspirations of the season! We got up close and personal with some pumpkins, gourds,… Read more »

Tags: bats climbing creatures of the night drizzle fall forest dreaming forest kindergarten forest stew foxes free play free range kids gourds harvesting seeds having fun outdoors hiking human spider web learning outside learning together no boundaries outdoor immersion Owl playing out in the rain playing outside with friends pumpkin craft rain play screech owl seasons. seasonal changes seed comparisons smashing things spiders squash the great outdoors trail blazing working together writing in journals

Nature’s Sweet Sounds

September 30, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

We Forest Dreamers love action, excitement and adventure! Last week we started taking closer looks at the native and non native plants of Irvine. This week, we took a closer… Read more »

Tags: ancestral knowledge building clay coyote makes man creeping experiment folktales forest dreamers forest kindergarten free exploration free play fun in the rain games games with preschoolers getting muddy hands on learning learning while doing listening to the forest meadow meadow activities milkweed monarch mud native americans nature kindergarten outdoor kindergarten playing with a purpose playing with kids rain play reading school in the rain sneaking stream wet play Wild Nature Play working together

Late Summer Treasures

September 23, 2016 - Preschool Weekly

From muddy puddles to clear blue skies, it has been a gorgeous week in the Nature Preschool!  Late summer treasures were the favorite topic of the preschool classes- the preschoolers took to the… Read more »

Tags: autumn olive butterfly house charcoal drawing classroom tools climbing climbing trees color matching color matching nature Compost exploring senses literacy log roll Nature in the Classroom outdoor discovery outdoor literacy poke berries poke berry paint problem solving Pumpkin Fest rain play sand play science in classroom sensory bins at preschool social play trail

Ready for Rainbows!

May 13, 2016 - Preschool, Preschool Weekly

Nature Preschool had a lovely week discovering the colors of spring! We focused on rainbows, light and color. The spring scene at Irvine is mostly green. Luckily the nature preschoolers… Read more »

Tags: camouflage colors nature preschool rain play rainbows rainy days spring spring art activities spring colors symmetry tadpoles

Wet, Wild and Wormy

May 6, 2016 - Preschool, Preschool Weekly

The weather this week as reminded Nature Preschool how important rain is to transform the spring forest! There is so much green to be seen! Spice bush leaves are speckled… Read more »

Tags: discoveries in nature hiking with preschoolers mother's day mud mud activities mud paint nature nature preschool painting with worms preschool art activities preschoolers outside rain exploration rain play worm activities worms

Welcome Winter

December 24, 2015 - Preschool, Preschool Weekly

Winter is officially here! Well, according to the calendar anyway. The Nature Preschoolers opened their senses to the subtle signs of winter all around! We spotted bare branches, identified birds… Read more »

Tags: 5 senses exploring senses family visitors in the classroom nature preschool nature preschool activities rain play rainy days at nature preschool senses sensing winter winter traditions

Seeds & Fungus, In Fall, Among Us

October 4, 2015 - Preschool, Preschool Weekly

Fall is here and the Nature Preschool at Irvine is eager to explore the beginning signs of our new season! What do you think can be found in nature during… Read more »

Tags: A Fruit Is a Suitcase for Seeds acorn painting autumn autumn activities corn painting fall feather painting fungus fungus amongus hickory nuts leaf art leaf hunt letter f mud paint Mushroom In The Rain nature soup rain play rainy days at preschool seed exploration seed soup seeds stream exploration stream play Wild Nature Play

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    • About
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
      • The Nature of Things on WYPR
    • Visit
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      • Become A Member
      • Make a Donation
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Volunteer
    • Early Childhood Education
      • The Nature Preschool (Ages 3-5)
      • Little Birds (Ages Birth-3)
      • Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program (Ages 5-12)
    • Nature Programs
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GOUPS
    • Rentals & Special Events
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      • Pumpkins on the Green
  • Irvine Nature Center

    11201 Garrison Forest Road
    Owings Mills, MD 21117
    Phone: 443­-738-9200
    Fax: 410­-902-8210

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    • About
      ▼
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
      • The Nature of Things on WYPR
    • Visit
      ▼
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      ▼
      • Become A Member
      • Make a Donation
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Volunteer
    • Early Childhood Education
      ▼
      • The Nature Preschool (Ages 3-5)
      • Little Birds (Ages Birth-3)
      • Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program (Ages 5-12)
    • Nature Programs
      ▼
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GOUPS
    • Rentals & Special Events
      ▼
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Birthday Parties
      • Pumpkins on the Green
    • Become a Member/Renew
    • Registration & Payment