Science & Nature

Moths are the under-appreciated cousin to the much-loved butterfly! Come spend the morning at Explore Park and help us celebrate these beautiful, nocturnal creatures for National Moth Week and give them the appreciation the deserve! We will discover some of the 10,000 species of moths in North America that make Roanoke their home. Participants will enjoy fun facts, science activities, and crafts- all the makings of a great family learning experience. By the end of this program, you'll leave with the knowledge to create your own moth observation area at home, so the fun and learning doesn't have to stop! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all persons in attendance. Please dress for the weather.

Are you, like most people, fascinated by the luminous insects of the night? If so, join us at Explore Park to learn about different kinds of fireflies, their life cycle, and the messages their flash patterns send. Young participants will make their own firefly craft to take home. Take the knowledge you'll gain in this class home to your backyard or neighborhood to fascinate your friends and family with your fun firefly facts! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all persons in attendance. Please dress for the weather.

Everyone thinks that rabbits and bunnies are cute, cuddly, and a welcomed backyard guest, right?! Well, some gardeners and farmers might disagree! Come to Explore Park and find out why! Participants will learn fun facts (and a few icky ones) about Virginia's Cottontail Rabbits. Through interactive learning and crafts, participants will learn all about rabbits and how they fit into the bigger picture! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all persons in attendance. Please dress for the weather.

What is the difference between lizards and salamanders? Once you start to learn, it adds up to be a lot! They may look similar, but they aren't even in the same class of animals! Even though they are so different, people frequently mix them up! Join us at Explore Park to gain knowledge and stand out from the crowds! We'll carefully observe and study real animals to make your own fact sheet and a fun lizard craft to take home! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all persons in attendance. Please dress for the weather.

Join Explore Park's Naturalist for a fun and educational program all about local bats! Using a variety of hands-on activities, you will learn all about these fascinating, and often misunderstood, creatures of the night. Families will get to be bat science research teams and discover many of the bat's secrets. Participants will make a "Nature Watch" educational bat craft and learn how to bat watch in their own backyard and neighborhood! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all persons in attendance. Please dress for the weather.