Prairie Pup Adventures at Plains Conservation Center
Prairie Pup Adventures at the Plains Conservation Center offers a fun way for preschool aged children to learn about the animals, plants and people who call the prairie home. Each week we will investigate a topic using hands on science, art and nature explorations. For children ages 3-6 with their accompanying caregiver.
Time: 9-10a.m.
November 12, 2024: Prairie Dogs
Did you know that without prairie dogs, we wouldn't have healthy prairies? Join us to learn about these important animals including where they live, what they eat and how they survive winter without hibernating. End with a safari ride to an active prairie dog colony to explore their habitat.
November 26, 2024: Animal Tracks
Just like us, animals leave footprints on the ground. Let's go find them! Learn what different tracks look like, explore the prairie to see various signs of animals and create your own footprint painting. Bring shoes you don't mind getting washable paint on.
December 3, 2024: Seasons of Change
What do you do when it gets cold? Plants and animals have amazing adaptations to survive the Colorado winter. Learn who hibernates, migrates and adapts as the seasons change through games and crafts.
December 17, 2024: Reptiles
From snakes to turtles, meet some of our reptile friends and learn what makes them different from other animals. Explore skeletons, scales and more, create your own springy snake craft and bond with some live animals. This class involves live snakes, lizards and turtles.
January 7, 2025: Plants and Potions
Plants have been used for centuries to make art, medicine, food and so many other things. Discover the magic of plants by making your own concoctions and take home a variety of plant powered creations.
January 21, 2025: Building Prairie Shelters
Do you like to build things? Let's work on those engineering skills while exploring how Native Americans and homesteaders built their homes in the 1800s. Build model shelters, create your own edible house and finish with a ride to the tipi camp and sod village to compare structures.
February 11, 2025: Fantastic Fungi
Fungi are fascinating living things. Explore the fungal world by learning the fungi lifecycle, looking at different specimens, dissecting mushrooms and making spore prints. You can even taste some fungal foods if you'd like!
February 25, 2025: Cooking in the 1800s
Do you like to help in the kitchen? Join us in the 1800s sod village to cook on a wood burning stove! Mix, measure, bake and churn to make tasty old fashioned treats. Menu: fruit and oat muffins, fresh butter and molasses cookies. Ingredients contain gluten, dairy and eggs.
March 11, 2025: Food Webs
Food webs are important aspects in every ecosystem around the world. Come learn terms like carniovore, herbivore, food chain and more while playing games, making artwork and roleplaying as different animals.
March 25, 2025: Prairie Safari
Take a safari ride across the plains to explore the difference between shortgrass and riparian ecosystems. Learn how to use scientific tools like magnifying glasses, binoculars and microscopes while looking for signs of wildlife.
Audience: Recommended for children ages 3-6 years.
Program Fee: $8 per preschooler; one adult per child is admitted free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating siblings (children over the age of 6 years) are $5 each. Non-participating-Infants (children under the age of 18 months) are free.
Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E Hampden Ave Aurora, CO 80013 (Entrance is at the corner of E Hampden Ave and S Picadilly Rd)