Knee High Naturalists

Ages 3–5

Our youngest explorers are invited to discover the wonders of nature through play, curiosity, and close observation. These gentle, one-hour outdoor sessions are designed especially for little legs and big imaginations. Each week we’ll focus on a new theme, encouraging children to use their senses to connect with the forests, waters, and wildlife of northern Michigan.

Sessions run Thursdays in the Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Petoskey area and Fridays in the Cheboygan area (Duncan Bay Nature Preserve).

Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, & Petoskey Area

Tree Week at Offield Family Working Forest — July 2

Trees are some of the biggest, oldest living things around us, full of life from their roots to their tallest branches. This week, Knee-High Naturalists head outside to make a new friend: a tree. We’ll use our hands, noses, and ears to get to know it and discover who else calls it home.

Come dressed for the woods and ready to explore.

Water Week at Offield Family Viewlands — July 9

Northern Michigan is full of water, from streams and puddles to marshes and the big beautiful bays. This week, Knee-High Naturalists get close to the water and meet who lives there. We’ll splash, look, listen, and discover the hidden world just beneath the surface.

Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet and dress for a little mud.

Bird Week at Spring Lake Park — July 16

Birds are everywhere this time of year, singing, hunting, and teaching their young ones to fly. This week, Knee-High Naturalists slow down and really pay attention to them: listening for calls, watching movements, and discovering what makes each one special. Every forest edge is a stage if you know how to watch.

Come dressed for a slow, quiet day outside.

Bug Week at Susan Creek Nature Preserve — July 23

Bugs are everywhere this week, crawling under logs, hovering over flowers, and darting above the water. This week, Knee-High Naturalists slow down and really meet them up close, using magnifying glasses to see what makes each one extraordinary. You might just find a new favorite neighbor.

Come dressed for the outdoors and ready to look closely at small things.

Berry + Seed Week at Offield Family Viewlands — July 30

By midsummer, the woods and meadows are full of plants doing something incredible — sending their seeds out into the world in every way imaginable. This week, Knee-High Naturalists hunt for seeds that fly, float, hitchhike, and burst, and discover the berries ripening all around us. Summer has never tasted so much like an adventure.

Come dressed for the trail and ready to find things in surprising places.

Soil + Fungi Week at Offield Family Working Forest — August 6

There is a whole hidden world right beneath our feet, and this week we’re going to find it. Knee-High Naturalists gently roll logs, dig in the forest floor, and discover the worms, beetles, and fungi that keep the whole forest running. It’s a little bit messy and a whole lot of wonderful.

Come dressed for digging and don’t worry about getting dirty.

Cheboygan area

Tree Week at Duncan Bay Nature Preserve — July 3

Come dressed for the woods and ready to explore.

Water Week at Duncan Bay Nature Preserve — July 10

Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet and dress for a little mud.

Bird Week at Duncan Bay Nature Preserve — July 17

Come dressed for a slow, quiet day outside.

Bug Week at Duncan Bay Nature Preserve — July 24