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 15.
1160103 / Polar Pals
Go on an expedition all the way to the North and South Poles to discover our Polar Pals. Enjoy activities inspired by our cold weather friends, an animal tale, a fun craft, a visit to the Nature Center's animal room, and a short nature walk outdoors (weather permitting). Featuring polar bears, arctic foxes, and other creatures of the cold!
1160104 / Jungle Journey
Venture into the jungle to discover the animals that call this lush green place home. Enjoy activities inspired by our featured jungle animals, a creature tale, a fun craft, a visit to the Nature Center's animal room, and a short nature walk outdoors (weather permitting). Featuring anteaters, jaguars, and other jungle animals!
1160201 / Nature Friends
Priority registration begins November 9th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students begins November 30th.
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 January 18, February 15th or March 22nd.
1160202 / Science Kids
Priority registration begins November 9th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students is the same as our Park District Winter Reigsration dates and times.
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 Mar 26.
1160206 / Wild Child
Priority registration begins November 9th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students is the same as our Park District Winter Reigsration dates and times.
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 24.
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 begins November 9th and participants will have received an email with further information. Registration for new students begins Monday, November 30th for Residents and Friday, December 4th for Non-Residents. Payment plan option available until December 14.
5160101 / Wild Ones
Spark the natural curiosity in your “Wild One” as we take in the wonders of the outdoors. Inside our classroom, we'll discover leaves, pumpkins, seeds, and other autumn surprises with sensory play and exploration, stories, and themed activities. Then we'll head out for a nature walk around the pond and prairie, and over to visit the animals in the Nature Center. Dress for a mess. No class November 23 and 24.
5160103 / Desert Dwellers
The hot sun may bake the sand, but many critters still live in this wild land! Learn about the desert and the creatures that live there through stories, animal crafts, short hikes, and many fun activities. Featuring hump-backed camels, stinging scorpions, and more!
No class Nov 26 or 27.
5160201 / Nature Friends
Experience the wonders of animals, plants, and the outdoors with fun games, crafts, experiments, and activities. We are all about hands-on learning and discovery and venture outside for nature hikes. Different topics each session.
No class Oct 12 or Nov 23.
Registration for Fall 2026
When you register you can select to pay in full or select the payment plan option. If you choose the payment plan option, it will show a current charge of $1R/$5NR for each section, and they remaining fee is split into 4 equal payments on 8/15, 9/15, 10/15, and 11/15.
Priority Registration for current students is from February 9-March 8. Open registration for new students begins March 9 at noon.
Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.
5160202 / Science Kids
See the world through science goggles. Each session features a different scientific topic, and each week dives deeper into that topic through fun experiments, observations, games, crafts, and outdoor hikes. Please send you child with a peanut/tree nut free snack and reusable water bottle. No class Nov 27
Registration for Fall 2026
When you register you can select to pay in full or select the payment plan option. If you choose the payment plan option, it will show a current charge of $1R/$5NR for each section, and they remaining fee is split into 4 equal payments on 8/15, 9/15, 10/15, and 11/15.
Priority Registration for current students is from February 9-March 8. Open registration for new students begins March 9 at noon.
Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.
5160206 / Wild Child
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 Nov 25
Registration for Fall 2026
When you register you can select to pay in full or select the payment plan option. If you choose the payment plan option, it will show a current charge of $1R/$5NR for each section, and they remaining fee is split into 4 equal payments on 8/15, 9/15, 10/15, and 11/15.
Priority Registration for current students is from February 9-March 8. Open registration for new students begins March 9 at noon.
Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.
5160212 / Nature's Two-Riffic
Find out just how terrific nature is! Discover animals, nature, and seasonal topics through songs, art, activities and games, stories, and short walks at Wildwood. Different activities are covered each day. Sign up for one day or both. No class Nov 25
5160215 / Toddler Tree School
Does your toddler miss the cutoff for Nature Preschool or Nature Play School? Toddler Tree School is an introductory class for two and three year olds. Tots explore nature, learn, and grow through themed hikes, outdoor exploration, sensory activities, dramatic play, songs, stories, art, and visits to the animal room. The majority of the program takes place outside at the Wildwood Nature Center grounds in their outdoor gathering space and hiking, and their indoor classroom is located at Wildwood. Program is for children ages 2-3 as of September 1. No class November 24 and 26.
Registration for Fall 2025
Registration Dates
- March 3 - Resident Registration 7:30am online and 8:30am in person
- March 7 - Nonresident Registration 8:30am online and in person
If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.