Wildlife  •  Education  •  Planetarium
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education

child and family programs

programs for families

Please note that many of our wonderful classes and programs require pre-registration. We encourage you to call ahead to confirm availability: 440-871-2900.

Planetarium Public Shows

Let's Talk Turkey
Date: November 22 Time/Duration: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. OR 11 a.m. - Noon
  For children ages 1 - 5* with ONE adult Fee: $15/child; members $10/child
Did you know the turkey almost became our national bird? Learn some fascinating fun facts about the “bird of the month,” make a simple craft and read a story.  It'll be a gobbling good time!

Instructor:  Maggie Watson

This program requires advance registration.  

9:30 - 10:30 am - Limited Availability
11 am - Noon - Registration Open


Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve Family Day
Date: October 17 Time/Duration: 1 - 3 p.m.
  For families with children ages 5 and up Fee: $7/person for ages 5 and up; $35/family of 5 or more
Experience the wild Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (formerly Dike 14). This gated preserve is rarely open to the public, but your family can explore this hidden gem with us. Learn how the preserve was created, demystify “lake effect” weather, search for tracks, hike over Doan Brook and discover unique plant and animal life.  

Includes extensive hike along grassy, unpaved trails (approx. 1.5 miles). Please dress appropriately.

Meet at the Preserve, located at the north end of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on Cleveland’s East side. From Cleveland: Take I-90 East to the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Exit (#177) and turn left (North). Park in the Gordon State Park Boat Ramp parking lot. 

Instructor:  Bev Walborn

This program requires advance registration.   Registration for all Fall Programming is now in progress, visit our Registration Information page for details.  


Lake Erie Family Day
Date: September 19 Time/Duration: 1 - 3 p.m.
  For families with children ages 5 and up Fee: $7/person for ages 5 and up; $35 for family of 5 or more
Explore our Great Lake Erie! Meet animals that depend on the lake ecosystems for survival. Hike to the beach along Porter Creek and search for mussels, feathers and beach glass at the shore. Test water samples, too. We’ll hike paved trails, uneven wooded trails and sandy beach. Please dress appropriately.

Instructor: Bev Walborn 

This program requires advance registration.   Registration for all Fall Programming is now in progress, visit our Registration Information page for details.  


Fall Animals a la Mode
Date: September 17

November 7		 Time/Duration: 6:30p.m.

2 p.m.
  For families of all ages Fee: $5/person (children 1 and under free)
Live animals (and maybe YOU) take center stage in this upbeat, interactive and educational show. A different collection of live creatures captivates the whole family each time. Cap it off with a serving of delicious ice cream! Each program is different, and they last about 30 minutes.

Instructor: Maggie Watson

This program requires advance registration.   Registration for all Fall Programming is now in progress, visit our Registration Information page for details.  


Fall Weekend Wild Things!
Date: September 18, October 2 & 30 and November 13 Time/Duration: 10-11 a.m.
  For children ages 1-5 years with one adult Fee: Each class $15/child; member $10/child
Explore the wild things of autumn! Critters, colors and maybe the creek! Meet an animal, make a craft and get wild with nature! Sign up for one day or all! Each class is unique!

Instructor: Maggie Watson

This program requires advance registration.   

September 18 - Waiting List Only
October 2 - Waiting List Only
October 30 - Waiting List Only
November 13 - Waiting List Only


Meet An Animal - Fall 2010
Date: Select Saturdays (see description) Time/Duration: 3 p.m.
  All ages Fee: Free!

Predators!
August 28
This will be a live animal program with our Director of Wildlife, Dave Wolf. We’ll be looking at some of the Center’s awesome predators and discuss ways to think about death in nature. Furred, feathered and scaled animals will be presented
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Peregrine Falcon 
September 18
You could almost say “faster than a speeding bullet” to describe this remarkably adapted hunter of the sky. Your admiration will grow after seeing one these live awe-inspiring birds who are becoming local Ohio residents. 

True & False
September 25
Come attend the nature center’s very own “game show.” Join Wildlife Director Dave Wolf to look at some of the Center’s animals. Audience participation is encouraged with T & F answer cards as we explore common facts and fallacies surrounding local wildlife.

Venomous Snakes
October 16
Come and be introduced to the world of venomous snakes. See live examples of Ohio’s 3 venomous snakes (Yes! Ohio has venomous snakes!) and learn the facts and fallacies surrounding them.

Tarantula!
October 30
Big, Creepy, and Hairy! Sounds like the makings of a monster movie. This program will focus on the often-misunderstood Tarantula and conclude with an opportunity to have it crawl across your hands and to look into its eyes…all eight of them!


Fall Wild Things!
Date: Session I: September 17, 24 and October 1
Session II: November 5, 12 and 19		 Time/Duration: Fridays 9:30 - 10:30 am OR
11 am - Noon
  For children ages 1 - 5* years of age with ONE adult.

 Fee: Each 3-week session: $45; members $35
Explore the wild things of autumn! Critters, colors and maybe the creek! Meet an animal, make a craft and get wild with nature! Choose one or both sessions.

Instructor:  Maggie Watson

These programs require advance registration.   

Session I: 9:30 - 10:30 am - Waiting List Only
Session I: 11 am - Noon - Waiting List Only
Session II: 9:30 - 10:30 am - Limited Availability
Session II: 11 am - Noon - Limited Availability


Monthly SkyQuest Planetarium Shows - Fall 2010
Date: Saturdays Time/Duration: Every Saturday at 2 p.m.
1st and 3rd Saturdays also at 7 p.m.* (program time changes from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. as of September 4)
*Free telescope viewing follows the 7 p.m. shows, weather permitting
  For adults and children who can sit quietly through a 30-minute program. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Fee: 2 p.m. - $2/person
7 p.m. - $3/person (program time changes from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. as of September 4)
What's up tonight? Stay on top of the changing seasonal sky. Catch a new Skyquest topic every month. This is a longer program for those who want to delve a little deeper into the latest astronomy and space topics with our expert planetarium staff. Not for very young children.

Two Bears and a Dragon
September 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 2 p.m.
September 4 & 18 at 7 p.m. + free telescope viewing, weather permitting
As fall approaches, we begin to see the tails of two bears and a Dragon named Draco! We will explore the Northern sky for a few treasures, and then turn towards the two windiest planets in our solar system… Uranus and Jupiter. As Venus is getting lower in the sky, Jupiter steals the show with its 63 moons and Uranus is also visible in our telescope.

Squares, a triangle, a “W” with three planets
October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 2 p.m.
October 2 & 16 at 7 p.m. + free telescope viewing, weather permitting
The autumn sky brings cooler temperatures and cool constellations that any stargazer can enjoy.  We can show you how to find a large square of Pegasus, the triangle and the queen Cassiopeia.  Jupiter & Uranus are close to each other and Neptune will be viewable in our telescopes this month.

 
Please note:  Planetarium doors close promptly at posted start times. Tickets are available at the front desk 30 minutes before the program begins on a first-come, first-served basis. All programs highlight the current night sky and cutting edge news from space agencies like NASA.


Fall Family Hayride Night
Date: October 8

 Time/Duration: 6 - 9 p.m.
  All ages are welcome! Fee: $12/adult; $8/child, ages 2 and up; 1 year and under FREE
Fill a fall Friday with fantastic family fun! Reserve your spot now and then simply gather up the family and enjoy a pizza and salad dinner, hands-on fall activities for the little ones, planetarium programs, live wildlife encounters and hayrides for all ages! Toasty fireplaces and plump pumpkins will add tot the evening's  autumn atmosphere. Register ahead. Space is limited.

This program requires advance registration.   Registration for Fall Programming begins in July, visit our Registration Information page for details.


Halloween Hayride Night
Date: October 29 Time/Duration: 6 - 9 p.m.
  Fun for the entire family! Fee: $12/adult; $8/child, ages 2 and up; 1 year and under FREE
Put on your costume and join the trick or treat parade through our Wildlife Gardens! Make a take-home Halloween craft and enjoy a pizza & salad dinner. Hop on a hayride, view the autumn night skies in the Schuele Planetarium, and relax by a crackling fireplace at this un-scary celebration. Register ahead. Space is limited.

This program requires advance registration.   Registration for Fall Programming begins in July, visit our Registration Information page for details.




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