Nature Together: Winter Nature Play Drop-In
For children ages 0-5 and their caregivers
Get outdoors with Thorne this winter at fun-filled nature play mornings!
Each session includes songs and story time, seasonal nature-based crafts, free play with nature materials, and opportunities to play together at Thorne’s beautiful Lafayette Nature Center and adjacent Coal Creek open space.
Program Details
Ages: Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers
Dates: Wednesdays • 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Drop in any week—no need to attend consecutively
December 10, 17 (no class on Dec 24 or 31)
January 7, 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4, 11
Location: Lafayette Nature Center
Cost: $150 for a 5-punch pass
Why Winter Is a Great Time to Get Outdoors
Winter nature play offers young children and their caregivers a chance to explore the outdoors in an exciting season, sparking curiosity through fresh sensory experiences—crunching snow, spotting animal tracks, feeling cold air on cheeks, and tasting warm tea.
Even simple winter play supports learning: children practice balancing as they navigate slippery ground, build resilience in the face of chilly weather, and observe seasonal changes in plants and wildlife. Sharing these experiences side-by-side strengthens caregiver-child relationships and reminds adults that nature play isn’t just possible in winter—it can be joyful, energizing, and deeply nurturing.
Led by Thorne Nature Preschool co-founder Erin Saunders, this program nurtures children’s natural curiosity and connection to nature while supporting caregivers with ideas for nature play at home in every season.
Questions? Reach out to us at NatureCenterPrograms@thornenature.org or 303.499.3647.