Bundle Up and Head to Audubon for Some Wild Winter Nature Explorations!

(January 16, 2024) – Let the kids go a little wild during February school vacation break! Come to Audubon and meet owls, hawks, and turtles. Pull on your warm and wooly mittens for outdoor explorations to search for animal tracks. Audubon offers plenty of winter fun at three locations to keep the kids busy, engaged and immersed in nature!

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Don't know what to do with the family during the school vacation break? Join Audubon for some wild winter fun! Special programs and activities are available each day and are free with admission. Registration is not required.

There will be a nature craft table each day, as well as a nature story at 10:00 a.m. and animal interviews at 11:00 am, and 2:30 pm. Special programs for children ages 6 and up are also available each day at 1:00 pm.

Monday, February 19, 2024, 1:00 pm: Birds and Feathers – Learn all about bird feathers, how they work, and why they are so important. Explore different types of feathers and match real feathers to the bird they belong to. For ages 6 and up.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 1:00 pm: Turtle Races – Join an Audubon educator for a favorite activity: turtle races! Watch two turtles meander down a track to see which is the fastest reptile around. For ages 6 and up.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 1:00 pm: Trail Walk – Join an Audubon naturalist on a walk around our Wildlife refuge looking for tracks and other signs of animal life. Dress warmly! For ages 6 and up.
Thursday, February 22, 2024, 1:00 pm: Cooking for the Birds – Come learn how to make a bird-friendly meal for our winter residents. (Allergy alert: nuts will be used.) For ages 6 and up.

Friday, February 23, 2024, 1:00 pm: Owl Pellet Dissection - Learn how owls hunt, then use simple and safe tools to take apart an owl pellet. Identify the bones inside and discover what your owl ate! For ages 6 and up.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; 10:00 am-3:00 pm; Free with Admission. Ages: All.


Owls of New England
February 19, 2024; 11:00 am-12:00 pm
There are several amazing owl species that live in New England. You might have one in your own back yard! Come learn about our native owls, hear their calls, learn about their remarkable adaptations, and meet a live owl. For children ages 5 and up.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 5 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Rockin' Reptiles
February 21, 2024; 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Rhode Island has a lot of neat reptiles! Come and learn about who lives here and where they can be seen. Start out with a presentation of all the native species and follow up with a visit from some live reptiles. For children ages 7 and up.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 7 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Big Hawk - Little Hawk
February 23, 2024; 11:00 am-12:00pm
Come meet two live raptors - a Red-tailed hawk and a Merlin - the largest hawk and a small falcon that are found in Rhode Island. Find out about the lives of these amazing birds and examine preserved feathers, wings, and talons. For children ages 4 and up.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 4 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Reptile Meet and Greet
February 20, 2024; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Rhode Island has several remarkable reptiles! Learn about which live nearby and where they can be seen. Start with a presentation of some native species and follow it up with a visit from Audubon Ambassador Turtles Otto and Speedy. For children ages 4 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. No fee for accompanying adults. Ages: 4 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Big Owl - Little Owl
February 22, 2024; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come and meet two live raptors – an Eastern Screech-Owl and a Great Horned Owl - the second smallest owl and the largest owl that are found in Rhode Island. Learn all about the lives of these amazing birds and touch preserved feathers, wings, and talons. For children ages 5 and up.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child, no fee for accompanying adults. Ages: 5 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.