October programs at Kroening Interpretive Center

Kroening Interpretive Center is located at 4900 Mississippi Court and open Tuesdays-Sundays. The Nature in the City exhibit space, outdoor Nature Adventure Course and Fort Building area are free for all ages to explore! Call our front desk, 612-370-4844, or email northmississippi@minneapolisparks.org

Nature Nuts: Playtime: Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 am. Discover seasonal themes, cultivate curiosity, and encourage exploration of nature. Enjoy outside imaginative play activities and hands-on learning with a naturalist. Ages 2-7 with an adult. Registration fee, $2.

Bird Watching: Beginner Basics: Saturday, Oct. 9, 9-10:30 am. Learn the basics of watching birds. Find out how to use binoculars, strategies for getting a closer look and distinguishing characteristics of bird types as you hike the park. Ages 6- adult. Free, activity #117988.

Beneficial Bats: Sunday, Oct. 10, 3-5 pm. Learn about the ecology and behaviors of Minnesota’s bat species. Explore the habitats and needs of these furry flyers with a naturalist. Build a bat house to take home, while guided by the expertise of https://elpisenterprises.org/, that will provide a daytime place for bats to rest near you. Ages 13-adult. Registration fee, $35. Activity #118045, all materials and tools provided.

Homeschool Day: Soil Significance: Thursday, Oct. 14. 1-3 pm. Learn different soil types and characteristics through hands-on investigation. Then, get your hands dirty and realize how soil is made, the ingredients needed and make a soil of your very own. Ages 5-14. Registration fee $5, activity #118021

Nature Art: Gourd Time: Saturday, Oct. 16, 11 am-12 pm. Explore the unusual shapes, colors and textures of gourds while creating art projects to take home for autumn decorations. Registration fee $3, all materials provided. For all ages, activity #118011

Nature Nuts: Tots Falling Leaves: Sunday, Oct. 17, 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Follow the journey of a leaf throughout the year and explore the many different colors, shapes, sounds and smells of autumn leaves as you hike through the woods and along the river. Ages 2-5 with an adult. Registration fee $2, activity #118043

Bonfire Bunch: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6:30-8 pm. Enjoy a bonfire, nature-inspired arts & crafts, guided nature walk, snack kits, and safe socializing. *This is a therapeutic recreation designed program for all ages. Registration fee $5, activity #117999

Release Days: Creepy, Crawly, Creatures: Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 20-22, 8 am-4 pm. Explore outdoors, play games and make art. Nature is full of freaky things that will make your skin crawl, if you dare to find them! Ages 6-12. Registration fee $90, activity #118061

Wild Nature Challenge: Thursday. Oct. 21, 5-7 pm. Practice your wilderness skills in the park through nature challenges. Build forts, maneuver through obstacles, and build a campfire with the bare essentials. It’s like an escape room in nature. Ages 6- adult, all abilities. Free, activity #118067

Outdoors: Fall Tree Identification: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2-3:30pm. Walk the park with a naturalist to observe and learn about this impressive color change while taking a closer look at tree leaves and using a dichotomous key to identify different species you find. Ages 8-adult. Free, activity #118002

Family Funday: Animal Masquerade Party: Sunday, Oct. 31, 1-3 pm. Come dressed as your favorite animal to enjoy an afternoon of nature games and fun. Visit animals, explore outside and try the adventure course! It may not be so spooky, but you can disguise your identity in natural style by making a nature mask to complete your costume and bring home. Free for all ages, activity #118008