Wildwood Program Center

Wildwood Program Center

Nature Programs

Wildwood Program Center hosts our scheduled nature classes, birthday parties, scout programs, school groups, and camps. We offer a variety of nature and environmental programs for ages 1 and older, as well as family events.

Location

529 Forestview Ave.
Park Ridge, Illinois

Phone

847-692-3570

Early Childhood Nature Programs

1160101 / Wild Ones

Spark the natural curiosity in your “Wild One” as we take in the beauty of the natural world. Discover snow, ice, fur and other winter wonders with free play, outdoor nature walks, crafts, songs, themed activities, and visits to the animals each week. Dress for a mess. No Class February 17.

1160106 / Cow Pokes

Round up your little ones for a visit to the "farm". Discover different farm animals each week through stories, crafts, animal noises, and activities. We also greet the Wildwood animals each week, and venture outdoors on a short nature walk. WPC

1160107 / Safari Stories

Head out on a safari adventure and search for creatures big, tall, and small that live on the other side of the world. Listen to an animal tale, create a craft, and enjoy safari animal inspired activities. We also greet the Wildwood animals each week, and venture outdoors on a short nature walk (weather permitting). WPC

1160201 / Nature Friends

Priority registration begins November 17th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students begins December 8. Experience the wonders of animals, plants, and the outdoors with fun games, crafts, experiments, and activities. We're all about hands-on learning and discovery, and we venture outside every day. Different topics each season. No class March 27 or April 3

1160202 / Science Kids

Priority registration begins November 17th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students begins December 8. See the world through science goggles. Uncover the natural, physical and earth sciences with fun experiments, observations, games, crafts, and outdoor hikes. Different topics presented each season. No class on Jan 19, Feb 16, or Mar 23.

1160206 / Wild Child

Priority registration begins November 17th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students begins December 8. Preschool explorers get ready for outdoor adventure! Wild Child’s kid crew will create their own adventures around Wildwood’s pond, prairie, and woodland paths, and extend the exploration inside the classroom. No class March 25.

1160210 / Valentine's Party with the Animals

Show your love for the animals! Create handmade Valentines for our cuddly friends, and receive a Valentine from the animals to you! Spend time with our critters - feeding, petting, playing with them - and learn about animal bodies and animal care.

1160212 / Nature's Two-Riffic

Find out just how terrific nature is as you prepare for preschool! Discover animals, nature, and seasonal topics through songs, art, activities, games, stories, and walks outside at Wildwood.

1160215 / Toddler Tree School - Winter/Spring

Does your toddler miss the cutoff for Nature Preschool or Nature PlaySchool? Toddler Tree School is an introductory class for two and three year olds. Tots explore nature through hikes, outdoor exploration, sensory activities, dramatic play, songs, stories and art. No class March 24 or 26. Priority Registration for students currently enrolled in the Fall session from Nov 17-Dec 7. New registration begins Monday, December 8th for residents and December 12th for nonresidents. Payment plan option available until December 14.

1160342 / Preschool After Care

Preschool After Care extends your preschooler’s day by an additional 1.5 hours. Classes are held at the Maine Park Leisure Center. We look forward to a WILDLY fun time! Class must meet a minimum of 5 students per day in order to run. Classes subject to be cancelled prior to the start of the semester.

4160101 / Wild Ones

Spark the natural curiosity in your “Wild One” as we take in the wonders of the outdoors. Discover the senses, the flowers and colors of the prairie, and other summer topics with nature walks, crafts, songs, and themed activities. No class July 4.

4160104 / Dino Discovery

Discover dinosaurs on this fun adventure with your child. Enjoy a trip to the animal room to see dinosaur cousins, listen to a dinosaur story, and create a fun craft. We discover different “Terrible Lizards” each week and enjoy a hike outdoors along with fun themed activities.

4160201 / Nature Friends

Experience the wonders of animals, plants, and the outdoors through fun games, crafts, experiences, and themed activities. All about hands-on learning and discovery, we venture outside on nice days. Different topics each seasons. No class July 3.

4160202 / Science Kids

Explore the fascinating world of science. Uncover science wonders with fun hands-on experiments, observations, games, crafts, and outdoor hikes.

4160210 / Party w/ the Animals

Dress in your favorite PJs and head over to Wildwood to spend someone-on-one time with our animal friends. Venture into the animal room to see them preparing for bedtime. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and activities as we discover what animals do at night.

Youth Nature Programs

1160407 / Rangers in Training

Interested in being a ranger at Wildwood? Get a hands-on taste of what it’s like to be a Wildwood ranger. Learn how to clean, feed, and care for the animals during this fun training session.

1160413 / Candy Lab

Chewy and gooey, fun and delicious! Create gummy candies of all shapes and flavors and mix, melt, mold, and solidify all kinds of tasty chocolate treats and chocolate bars. Uncover the amazing science and story behind these fantastic candies and taste your own delicious creations.

1160417 / Adventure Club

Calling together the Adventure Club – come join Wildwood’s naturalists for weekly outdoor excursions. Explore and discover nature through experiments, projects, and exploration. Class takes place outdoors as much as possible. Please pack a water bottle and dress to be comfortable outdoors.

1160425 / Believe It Or Not: Dragons, Bigfoot, Mermaids, and More!

Explore mythological creatures - the legends and the science - through stories, experiments, engineering and crafts. How might dragons produce fire? How do mermaids and sea monsters float? Whose horns or tusks might have inspired the legend of a unicorn's horn? Make a merperson tail blanket, craft unicorn or centaur horns, design a dragon egg, dissect a kraken's distant cousin, and attempt to catch Big Foot on video!

4160407 / Rangers in Training

Interested in being a ranger at Wildwood? Get a hands-on taste of what it’s like to be a Wildwood ranger. Learn how to clean, feed, and care for the animals during this fun training session.

Family Nature Events

1160503 / Science Night

Turn your family into scientists and explore fun science concepts with us! Make cool discoveries through experiments, projects, and play. Different activities each month. Please register only one member of your family. January: Satisfying Sounds - make instruments and explore how materials mix to create a wide variety of satisfying sounds February: Inventors' Workshop - with common classroom materials, build toy cars, elevators, and more!

4160501 / Playdate with Nature

Join us on a Playdate with Nature. The family will enjoy games, crafts, and educational activities based around the seasonal nature theme of the day. Program is free, but registration is required.

4160502 / S'more Stories and Songs

The entire family will enjoy the peaceful night air while sitting around a fire listening to stories, singing songs, and making everyone’s favorite - s’mores! Enjoy a night hike around the pond. Flashlights are not needed, but feel free to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Fee is per family.

4160503 / Science Night

Turn your family into scientists and explore fun science concepts with us! Make cool discoveries through experiments, projects, and play. Different activities each class.

4160505 / Pond Dippers

Have fun as a family discovering what lurks beneath the surface of the pond. Dip and scoop with nets to catch lots of critters and maybe a few tadpoles! Learn all about life in the pond.

4160506 / Capture the Flag

What’s that lurking in the prairie grass? Is that a friend or foe? Are you on the attack or dropping back in defense? Can you capture the flag? Divide into teams, hide your flag, and the family friendly battle begins! To win, capture the other team’s flag and return it to your territory. Watch out and don’t get caught by the other team or you may end up in jail. Let the games begin! Register each participant. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

4160508 / Mud Day

Get ready for some not-so-clean fun! Create mud pies, dirt people, and enjoy muck inspired activities for the whole family. Dress for a mess in old clothes or swimsuits. Clean off under sprinklers and hoses; and bring towels or a change of clothes.