Take A Child Outside Week (TACO), an international initiative spearheaded by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, kicks off Sunday, September 24 and runs through Saturday, September 30. Designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from exploring the natural world, the program encourages children and adults to spend time together outdoors.
The Kaleidoscope Project encourages using nature to nurture during Take A Child Outside Week, and throughout the year. In fact, it’s one of our best practices.
“Free time in nature has been shown to improve every area of a child’s life, from having healthier, stronger bodies, to being more successful in school, to having better relationships in their community,” says Liz Baird, Chief of School and Lifelong Education for the Museum and the program’s founder. “Time outside every day should be part of your regular routine.”
In Wake County, both the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources will offer special programming during Take A Child Outside Week to encourage natural discovery. Read on for event details…
MUSEUM EVENTS
The Museum will hold special events all week at their Prairie Ridge Ecostation in west Raleigh. Events include:
• Nature Play Day – Sunday, Sept. 24, 1:30 to 3:30pm
• Guided Hike – Monday, Sept. 25, 10:30am
• Walk Through the Seasons – Tuesday, Sept. 26, 9 to 10:30am
• Nature Play Day – Tuesday, Sept. 26, 10am to noon
• Paint and Play – Wednesday, Sept. 27, 10am to noon
• Nature Stories – Thursday, Sept. 28, 10:30 to 11:30am
• Citizen Science Saturday – Saturday, Sept. 30, 10:30 to 11:30am
• Nature Play Day – Saturday, Sept. 30, 1:30 to 3:30pm
All ages are welcome; children 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear
comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. No registration required. For information email
cathy.fergen@naturalsciences.org, call 919.707.8878 or visit www.naturalsciences.org/prairie-
ridge.
PARKS & REC EVENTS
Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources will offer special programs throughout their nature preserves and lake facilities. Events include:
• Family Naturalists: Pollinators at Walnut Creek Wetland Center
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Family Fishing at Lake Johnson
Monday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Junior Kids' Fishing at Lake Johnson
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Magical Monarchs at Durant Nature Preserve
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Terrific Turtles at Sertoma Arts Center and Lake Wheeler
Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 26 – 28, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Beaver Pond at Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Wednesday, Sept. 27 - 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Kids Fishing at Lake Johnson
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Chimney Swifts at Walnut Creek Wetland Center
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Kritter Kids at Thomas G Crowder Woodland Center
Thursday, Sept. 28, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Nature Play Days at Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Friday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Durant Family Campout at Durant Nature Preserve
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 29-30, 6 p.m. 11 a.m.
• Twilight Walk at Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Saturday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pre-registration is required for all programs unless otherwise specified. Register online using
RecLink. Former information, email hannah.lee@raleighnc.gov, call 919-870-2871, or visit
In addition, on the Take A Child Outside website (www.takeachildoutside.org), adults can find organizations in their area offering activities and outdoor spaces along with interesting outdoor activities.