Public Programs

Springbrook Nature Center is launching a homeschool program series for students ranging from 6 - 11 years old! Students are divided into 2 age groups: ages 6-8 and 9-11.

A naturalist will lead an outdoor program with a different theme from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. on the dates below.

Registration is required. 

Class Dates and Topics

Class Topics for both sections are below. 

• January 9: Predator Prey Interactions : How do bobcats hunt? Deer escape? Learn about the adaptations that make predators and prey successful in their roles.
• February 13: Winter Fun! It is cold but there is still fun to be had! We will get our kicksleds and snow shoes out and hit the trails to search for animal signs and lots of fun.
• March 13: Maple Syrup: Mmmm! How do we get this sweet treat? Learn how to tap a maple tree, collect sap, and boil it down to maple syrup (and beyond).
• April 10: Lichens; What is a Lichen? Find out and look for this cooperative organism at Springbrook Nature Center. During the class we will build our observational skills, ask questions, and test them as we look for lichen.
• September 11: How does water flow? Study how the water in our creek flows by building your own stream in our stream lab and studying one of Springbrook's creeks to unlock it's secrets.
• November 20: How do you stay warm, and dry if your hike or trip to the boundary waters goes off course? We will learn how to build a shelter, start a fire (9-11 year olds only) and more.
• December 11: Owls: It will be a hoot! Take a deep dive into the adaptations that allow owls to be the only nightime raptor.

   

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.

2026

• January 27- Bundle Up
• February 24 - New Things
• March 31 - Wind
• April 28 - Puddles and Mud
• May 26 - Pond
• September 29 - TBD
• October 27 - TBD
• November 24 - TBD
• December 29 - TBD

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. - noon 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)

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 and Topics (2025-2026)

• February 4 - The Dating Game: Bird Edition
• March 4 - The Not So Common Loon

This program is designed to create a welcoming community for women to gain confidence and skills in and about the outdoors. Each Women Outdoors will have a naturalist present to help facilitate the activity. Participants must be 12 years of age or older and register. 

Twilight Hike

Wednesday, January 21 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Let’s get out to enjoy the night glow! Explore our wintery landscape in the dark evening. We will be exploring to see what we can find out on the trails during the twilight hours. Flashlights or headlamps will be provided during the hike. 

Registration will close on Monday, January 19 at noon. 

Fee: $7 per person

Fire Building Skills

Wednesday, February 18 from 10-11:30 a.m. 

Ever wanted to be the one to light the campfire and didn't know where to start? During this women's only program, you will learn: basic fire safety, fire structures, and how to build a survival fire. Bring your gal pals to our Women Outdoors skill building program.

Fee: $7 per person

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.

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 more information soon.

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.

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

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

2025-2026 Dates:

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

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