(6-12 yrs.) Children will learn to paint as they imagine a fantastic world inspired by nature. Learn about shapes, how to create 3D buildings and how to explore maps, and how to mix colors. Supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

(5-8 yrs.) Each Tuesday morning in this four-week nature series for homeschool, explore a new theme: winter birds, animal tracks, tree ID and pond life under ice. Hands-on activities, outdoor exploration and take-home naturalist journals. Registration covers all four sessions (Jan 12, 19, 26, and Feb 2).

(4-Adult) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Learn to identify these owls from other native owls while enjoying the campfire. Toast marshmallows over the embers. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Join the naturalist as she shares stories about animals that enjoy being chilly including penguins and polar bears plus others that can get through the cold. Come dressed as your favorite frozen friend. Enjoy a sit down tea with china cups, treats and snow crafts. Contact the nature center one week prior with any dietary restrictions. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult registered in this program.

(4-Adult) Play traditional Eastern Woodland Indian games of skill and luck which were common during the period of first European contact. Enjoy oral storytelling and make a game to take home. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(3-Adult) It's dinner time at the nature center and worms and insects are on the menu. Help our naturalist care for and feed the nature center's animals. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.

(3-7 yrs.) Put on your pajamas and come to the nature center to hear bedtime stories, meet animals and wish goodnight to the center's live animals. Bring your favorite stuffed animal with you. One adult only per registered child.

(Adults) Come get an exclusive look at our animals after hours at this adults-only event. Learn about our local species and their amazing habits and meet our animal ambassadors up close and personal.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(16-Adult) Create your own letting to jazz up your projects, such as nature and travel journals. Topics covered include: design, and simple ways to create: brush pen calligraphy, illuminated capitals and creating your own decorative letters and titles. Experiment with markers, gel pen, colored pencil and watercolor letters.

(2-24 months) It’s never too early to enjoy the gardens. This gentle gardening class, designed for little ones and their caregivers, guides little ones in experiencing the garden. Through sensory play, songs and simple planting activities, babies and young toddlers explore nature in a safe, engaging environment. Each session introduces age-appropriate garden elements to spark curiosity and connection with the natural world as well as tips on how to safely explore the gardens with your baby.

Satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. See site’s website for details. This title allows online group registration.

(12-Adult) Learn about the park's birds and some basic identification skills. This program for beginners starts with a bird identification discussion. Children age 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(8-Adult) Celebrate Black History Month by exploring the history and contributions of Black birders, scientists and conservationists. Learn how birding connects people to nature through a short presentation, make a pinecone bird feeder to support backyard birds, and head outside for a guided bird walk to practice your observation skills.

(3-Adult) Beavers are some of the busiest animals in the natural world. In this family-friendly program, participants will learn how beavers build, eat and shape their habitats.

(5-Adult) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. All participants, including accompanying adults, must register and pay for the program.

(4-Adult) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. During the program we will explore the wonders of our natural world. Our programs may include nature walks, interactive activities, animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(3-7 yrs.) Join an octopus, ray, shark, lobster and all their friends in this undersea adventure. After the show, play a game, sing songs and make a craft. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(Adults) Enjoy a peaceful adults only visit to the nature center for Valentine’s Day. Meet animals and learn about their dating and mating habits. A special treat and activity complete your nature-themed holiday celebration. Each attendee must register individually.

(14-Adult) Learn to crochet a set of coasters and discover essential self-care practices for winter. Designed for beginner crocheters, enjoy a relaxing environment to enhance your skills and connect with others. Discuss self-care techniques and take a nature walk for inspiration. Create, connect and embrace the cozy spirit of the season.

(14-Adult) Learn to crochet a bucket hat and discover essential self-care practices for winter. Designed for intermediate crocheters, enjoy a relaxing environment to enhance your skills and connect with others. Discuss self-care techniques and take a nature walk for inspiration. Create, connect and embrace the cozy spirit of the season. Leave with the skills and knowledge to finish your hat at home.

(4-8 yrs.) Dinosaurs once roamed all the Earth in places far and near. Enjoy a puppet show and crafts along with amazing fossil facts. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(16-Adult) Late fall is a great time to look for nature’s bounty. Learn some tips to identify and draw these beautiful botanical items. Take a short hike to search for these items on the trail. Learn some techniques for drawing botanical subjects and see sample projects. Then try it yourself using our dried plant/seed collection. Your choice of watercolor or colored pencil. Dress for the weather.

(16-Adult) You may want to start your own rock collection after you see and draw some beautiful semi-precious gemstones. Learn some tips for drawing rock and gem shapes. Discover connections rocks and minerals have to plants, animals and even our health.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

This program satisfies most of the requirements to earn the badge. Scouts must complete all prework before the start of class. Pre-work and program details available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scouts. Scouts unable to complete all requirements may receive partial credit from their merit badge counselor.

(6-Adult) In this adapted version of the popular Escape Room games, race against the clock to solve puzzles and unlock secret codes to complete the mission of saving the captured animals. This exciting, critical-thinking adventure is both fun and educational. Learn about common animals you might encounter at Riverbend Park, what threats they face, and what we can do to protect them. End the event with prizes and a meet and greet with one of our box turtles.

(6-11 yrs.) Use your critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities to engineer a solution for our secret seasonal challenge. Attack the design problem and work within the criteria and constraints to see if you can come up with the best solution.

(3-Adult) Discover how music grows in the garden! Explore natural materials such as bamboo, seed pods, gourds, sticks and stones to create their own unique musical instruments. Along the way, learn how sound is made through vibration, rhythm and pitch while experimenting with the many sounds found in nature. End the class with a garden jam session where everyone can play their handmade instruments together. No musical experience is needed, and all materials are provided. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(All Ages) Come stay and play at our Nature Center on select Fridays of every month. Spend time together as a family reading books, making crafts, playing games, exploring natural objects with a microscope, doing puzzles, digging in the sandbox and many more play opportunities. Enjoy a short presentation or read-aloud story by a naturalist every hour. Each month the space will transform into a different theme and activities will be refreshed so there will always be something new to discover. A staff member will be in the building if you have any questions or need assistance, but this event is designed as self-guided play time accompanied by a parent or guardian. You are not required to stay for the entire length of time. Once you receive a wristband you may come and go as you please.