When you want to get away from screens and out of the house, head to a nature center. Metro Detroit is home to multiple Nature Centers (most of them offer free admission) where you can spend the day or sign up for a class. From pre-school to homeschool, here’s where you can find sessions and lessons for the littles in your life.

Huron-Clinton Metroparks (Multiple Locations)

Huron-Clinton Metroparks hosts Nature Classes at multiple locations across southeast Michigan. Classes range from pre-k nature sessions to Homeschool Nature Clubs. Class fees are generally minimal and about $3 to $5 per child.

Free Forest School (Multiple Locations)

The Free Forest School is a national program model with multiple locally led groups in metro Detroit. The group promotes unstructured outdoor play designed to cultivate curiosity and independence in kids. Sign up to meet local families and attend events, or create your own event!

Johnson Nature Center (Bloomfield Hills)

The Johnson Nature Center hosts early childhood enrichment programs for kids ages 2 to 4 years old. They also offer seasonal events for school aged kids. Guests can explore the Visitor Center on the first Sunday of each month and on Saturdays the remainder of the month from 10am to 4pm and hike the trails from 8am to dusk daily (except for holidays).
Address: 3325 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

Belle Isle Nature Center (Detroit)

The Nature Tots program at the Belle Isle Nature Center is FREE for kids ages 2 to 4 years old. Each session is designed to support early learning with stories, crafts, movement and adventures in nature. They also offer many other public programs that are free of charge.
Address: 176 Lakeside Drive, Detroit, MI 48207

Outdoor Adventure Center (Detroit)

The State of Michigan’s Outdoor Adventure Center in downtown Detroit is open to the public Wednesdays thru Sunday and hosts a variety of special events including Little Cub and Explorers Club classes for kids ages 3 to 10. Scout badge workshops are also offered.
Address: 1801 Atwater Street, Detroit, MI 48207

Wint Nature Center (Clarkston)

The Wint Nature Center offers many classes and workshops, including a pre-school program for kids ages 3 to 6 years. Kids can be sure to enjoy some nature fun as they increase their love of the outdoors.
Address: 9501 Sashabaw Rd, City of the Village of Clarkston, MI 48348

Farmington Nature Center (Farmington Hills)

The Farmington Nature Center offers FREE daily admission and it’s a great destination for families to learn about nature. For those looking for structured sessions, there are drop-in and multi-week classes offered for kids ages 1 to 12. The Nature Center is also home to a Nature Preschool for kids ages 3 to 5.
Address: 24915 Farmington Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Seven Ponds Nature Center (Dryden)

The Seven Ponds Nature Center classes include Pint-Sized Explorers, Knee High Naturalists and Nature Study for Homeschoolers. They also offer scout programs and many special events.
Address: 3854 Crawford Rd, Dryden, MI 48428

Red Oaks Nature Center (Madison Heights)

The Red Oaks Nature Center has a pre-school program for kids ages 3 to 6 years. They also offer many other nature education programs and you can even set up your own FREE personal, naturalist-guided nature hike.
Address: 30300 Hales St, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve (Rochester Hills)

Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve hosts a variety of nature programming for kids of all ages. Classes for pre-school aged kids include Story & STEAM and Nature Tales.
Address: 333 N. Hill Circle, Rochester Hills, MI, 48307

Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center (Shelby Township)

The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center hosts nature classes for pre-schoolers, story times and Family Fun Days. The building is open to the public Wednesdays thru Sundays for self-guided visits.
Address: 4101 River Bends Dr, Shelby Twp, MI 48317

Sterling Heights Nature Center (Sterling Heights)

The Sterling Heights Nature Center is open to the public Tuesday thru Saturday. Explore independently or sign up for a special class – the center generally hosts a couple each month.
Address: 42700 Utica Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Stage Nature Center (Troy)

Stage Nature Center in Troy hosts classes for kids of different ages and interests. Toddler Time, Knee-High Naturalists and Little Acorns are popular pre-K programs. The Center also hosts sessions for homeschoolers and scouts. The building is open to the public for self-guided visits Tuesday thru Saturday.
Address: 6685 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, MI 48098

Crosswinds Marsh (Wayne County)

Crosswinds Marsh is open daily from dusk to dawn for nature enthusiasts with an interest in wetlands and wildlife. They offer programs for scouts and homeschoolers as well as family programs for everyone to learn and enjoy.
Address: 27600 Haggerty Rd, New Boston, MI 48164

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