Environmental Activities
and Events for Kids
Explore Your World!

• Nature Events and Activities
  

• Learn a New Skill

• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Nature Storytime: Hop Away Rabbit. A fox is coming! Hop away rabbit, hop away home! We'll investigate the world of rabbits to learn how they live in the wild. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Family Hike: World of the Whitetail. The white-tailed deer are on the move, making it easier for us to spot the signs they leave behind. We might even be lucky to spot a deer or two on our hike! Spend an hour on a family-friendly hike through Havenwoods. We’ll use magnifiers, binoculars, and super-duper outdoor lookers to spend the morning in nature. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Creating Winter Wreaths. Using a variety of natural materials, we will create two beautiful wreaths that will enhance your home's winter decor. Call by November 7 to register. This program is best for adults and youth over the age of 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 1-3:30 p.m. or 6:30-9 p.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Discovery Saturday: Decorate a Tree for Wildlife. Make a garland from pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and bread shapes. Once you’ve finished, find a tree outside to decorate for the animals. These activities are for everyone! Just drop in the building anytime between 9 a.m. and noon to participate in the fun.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Exploring Nature: Whooo Goes There? Owls. On silent wings owls fly through the night! Join us as we investigate how owls are adapted to be such terrific nighttime hunters. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 -
  • Grapevine Wreaths. Make a wreath out of native grapevine then take it home to decorate it as you wish. Please call to pre-register and pre-pay the $5 fee. Be prepared to drive. Dress to be outside. Visitor Center. 8-9 a.m.
  • Search for Short-Eared Owls. We are lucky to have the rare short-eared owls visit. Join us to discover more about these grassland birds. We will also drive in search of them. Visitor Center. 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Preschool Storytime: Now That the Days are Colder. What happens as the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to drop? We'll explore some of nature's many changes at this time of year. This program is for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult, not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Nature Storytime: Stocking Up for Winter. The days are growing shorter and the temperature is dropping. Come learn how some animals stock up to get through the hardships of winter. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Sponsored by Kettle Moraine State Forest - Nothern Unit. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva, (262) 348-2420 or e-mail - Turkey Trot. A beautiful run/walk on the trails of Big Foot Beach State Park to benefit the Friends of Big Foot Beach State Park. Also a raffle.
  • Same-day signups begin at 8:30 a.m.
  • Junior Gobbler 1-mile, for ages 17 and under, 9:30 a.m.
  • Kids' Fun Trot, 9:45 a.m.
  • Five- and ten-kilometer runs, 10 a.m. The off-road, dirt and grass trail course is designed to challenge the beginner to expert runner. The expansive tree lined course is perfect for the social runner and provides great opportunities for the ultra-competitive runner to pass. Register before October 31and have the choice of a technical long sleeve shirt or a travel coffee mug. Registration after October 31 includes a shirt while supplies last or a travel coffee mug.
    
    
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - One Wild Saturday Morning Drop-in: Hawks. Fall is migration time for some hawks. Drop in and learn about amazing hawk adaptations, find out what hawks live in Wisconsin, make a hawk mobile, and much more! You and your family or youth group can drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to discover cool things about nature through hands-on activities, experiments, crafts, games, and picture books.

The Department of Natural Resources offers several classes to help you learn how to safely participate in many of Wisconsin's favorite sports. Simply click on the title of the sport listed below to find out more about it. These links leave EEK! and go to the main DNR pages.

• Upcoming Activities at Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center (Leaves EEK!)
• Angler Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Boating Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Bowhunter Education (NBEF Certified) (Leaves EEK!)
• Hunter Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Snowmobile Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Trapper Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Waterfowl Hunter Education

Beginner Waterfowl Hunting Workshop at Sandhill
This one-day DNR workshop in early September has demonstrations on decoying, duck calling, hunting with dogs and goes through the basics of duck identification. Participants can also practice shot gunning on the range. This class is for kids age 12+ and is co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. A $15 fee includes lunch and refreshments. Please see the Sandhill Wildlife Area Web page for more details on the workshop or call 715-884-2437.

Waterfowl Hunter Education
Want to get started in the fine art of waterfowling? Here's your chance to get started or brush up on your waterfowl hunting and identification skills. This course covers waterfowl identification by looking at bird wings, ecology and management, hunting ethics, waterfowling history in Wisconsin, duck and goose calling, decoy and blind use, hunting dogs and training, boating safety skills, wading and waterfowl clothing, and field dressing and cooking preparation of the bird. Free classes are provided by the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. They recommend that you be at least 12 years old to participate. Contact their office for class schedules at 1-800-524-8460.