Public Programs

Springbrook Nature Center is launching a homeschool program series for students ranging from 6 - 11 years old! 

A naturalist will lead an outdoor program with a different theme from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. on the second Friday of September, and November- April. 2025 will have an additional date in May.

Registration is required. 

Class Dates and Topics

Ages 6-8 Classes

• February 14: Winter Fun!
• March 14: Animal Tracks and Signs
• April 11: Spring Awakenings
• May 9: Birds
• September 12: Pond Life
• November 14: Seeds
• December 12: Bears

Ages 9-11 Classes

• February 14: Frost!
• March 14: Animal Tracks and Signs
• April 11: Dormancy
• May 9: Pollination
• September 12: Pond Life
• November 14: Seeds
• December 12: Bears

Welcome to Playful Polliwogs! Join us for this parent-child class at the Springbrook Nature Center. We will start our adventures indoors for check-in, listen to a story, and move outside for an activity related to our topic. Help your Polliwog to learn through adventure and play!

$5 per child, adults do not need to register. Each child must be accompanied by one adult. Registration is preferred but drop-ins are allowed.

Upcoming Dates

Playful Polliwogs typically runs from 10-11 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month from September- May.

2025

• March 25 - Bird Songs
• April 29 - Rain
• May 27 - Flowers
• June, July, August - BREAK
• September 30 - Colors
• October 28 - Squirrels
• November 25 - Animal Tracks
• December 30 - Deer

Bring your four- and five-year-olds to our half-day nature club where we will play in the creek, search for bugs, and run in the woods.

Children must be completely bathroom independent to attend. Registration is required.

Registration for 2025-2026 school year sessions is open!

Session Information

 Classes are from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Thursdays and run for 10 weeks.

• Fall 2025 Session: September 4 - November 13 * no class October 16th
• Winter 2026 Session: January 8 - March 12
• Spring 2026 Session: March 26 - May 28

$125 per child, per session. Fall session registration is open!

• Read the full parent handbook(PDF, 323KB)
• Register online

Thanks to Naturalist Emily, we are able to provide you with fun coloring pages inspired by the places and things you might find on a trip to Springbrook. Enjoy!

We’d love to see your creations! If you choose to color any of these pages, please share them with us on the Springbrook Nature Center Facebook page #ColoringSpringbrook.

• Egret(PDF, 3MB)
• Tank(PDF, 2MB)
• Squirrel(PDF, 2MB)
• Salamander(PDF, 2MB)
• Opossum(PDF, 1MB)
• Turkeys(PDF, 2MB)
• Earth Day(PDF, 3MB)

No bike? No problem! After awarded an Anoka County SHIP grant, we received a fleet of bicycles and are excited to offer these biking opportunities to Age 15+ to Adults! Bicycles and helmets are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Check back for soon.

Check back in September for our 2025-2026 topics.

Join one of our naturalists for coffee and a nature discussion! This program is designed for adults and will be held indoors with an optional hike. Look for Coffee Chat with a Nat on the first Wednesday of the winter months from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

No registration required.

Future Dates (2025-2026)

• November 5
• December 3
• January 7
• February 4
• March 4

Saturday, April 6 at 5-9 p.m.

Planning is underway for this exciting and engaging fundraising event. Check out the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation page for more details.

Volunteer and Donate

Want to help with the planning committee? Maybe you're interested in donating items, experiences, or funds towards this event, please contact Nature Center Manager, Tara Rogness at Tara.Rogness@FridleyMN.gov.

This program is designed to help get a community of women out enjoying nature. Participants must be 16 years of age or older and register. 

Cancelled - Bike with a Naturalist

When: Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Are you looking for an adventure outdoors with other women? Join a naturalist on a fun, leisurely bike ride! We will start at Springbrook Nature Center and head to Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park before heading back. We will explore, ask questions, and learn about the environment on this 7-10 mile bike ride.

Registration will close on June 12 at 11:59 p.m.

Fee: $7 per person; Bikes and helmets can be provided.

Connecting with Nature for Wellbeing with Featured Author Heidi Barr

When: Wednesday, July 30 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Do the words "slow" and "summer" feel too far apart to ever meet? If summer's pace feels like too much, spend an evening with author Heidi Barr to cultivate the pace that supports being fully present for the season. Meet in the Springbrook Nature Center Pavilion at 6pm,where we'll gather, do some introductions, and spend some time with simple reflection and mindfulness practices before heading out on a mindful hike. Heidi will discuss her books and poetry practice, and talk about nature as inspiration for the writing life. We'll close our time together with some gentle stretching and poetry. 

Registration will close on Tuesday, July 29 at 11:59 p.m. Participants must be 16 years of age or older to register.

Fee: FREE due to partnership

Check out our Special Events Page for more fun within the City of Fridley! Typical events include:

• Environmental Fun Fair
• Pumpkin Night in the Park
• Winterfest
• And so much more!

Springbrook is offering backpacks for daily check-out that contain supplies to help visitors explore and enjoy nature. Each backpack has a specific theme. They are available on a first come, first serve basis.

How Check-out Works:

1. If you are interested in checking out a backpack, please speak with the front desk to see if backpacks are available for check-out that day.
2. Backpacks may be checked out between the hours of 9am and 3pm. They are due back at the nature center by 4pm the day they are checked out.
3. Backpack check-outs require a Springbrook Nature Center client account with a valid credit card on file.
4. Staff reserves the right to charge up to $100 to replace lost or broken items.

Update: Animal Feeding is a pop-up program.

Check our Facebook page on Fridays!

Animal Feedings start at 11:30 a.m. on selected weekend dates.

Have you ever wondered how snakes eat, what’s for breakfast when you’re a turtle, or how a salamander finds a meal? This is the program for you. Watch our exhibit animals enjoy a delicious meal while a naturalist explains their feeding behaviors and taste preferences. Experience the predator-prey relationship in front of your eyes!

There is no charge to attend this program.

No bike? No problem! We recently received an Anoka County SHIP grant for a fleet of bicycles and are excited to offer these biking opportunities to Age 13+ to Adults! Bicycles and helmets are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Birding By Bike

2025 dates will be announced soon!

It's time for a birdwatching adventure! The program will start at Springbrook Nature Center and take regional bike trails to Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park before heading back. We will pass through wetland, prairie, river floodplain, and oak forest habitats. Distance 7-9 miles.

Bike with a Naturalist

2025 dates will be announced soon!

Join us for a leisurely bike ride led by a naturalist! Ask questions, explore, and learn about the environment.

Friday, September 19, 2025 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Fee: $5 per person

Learn the basics of campfire cooking while being entertained by campfire stories. This class is intended for people 10 years and older. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. This class is sponsored by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation.

Check back for 2025-2026 season registration information in November 2025.

Selected Winter Fridays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
$5 per person, children 2 and under are free

Register online, by calling 763-572-3588, or pay at the door.

Bundle up and get ready to hike at Springbrook using the light of glowing lanterns to guide you. Listen for owls hooting, keep your eyes peeled for elusive nocturnal animals, warm up by the fire.

Please check in at Springbrook’s front desk for the event.

If snowpack allows, snowshoes will be available to rent for $5/pair, while supplies last.

Future Dates:

• December 5, 2025
• January 9, 2026
• February 6, 2026
• March 6, 2026