Little Naturalists: Story Time at Swaner
1st and 3rd Monday of each Month (October-May)
10:00-11:00 am

Little Naturalists is a program that helps 3-5 year olds learn about and explore the natural world. On the first and third Monday of each month (October - May) children gather at Swaner EcoCenter to listen to a nature-themed story and participate in a related craft or activity. Example activities include snowshoeing while looking for animal tracks, learning about frog lifecycles while interacting with live tadpoles and adult frogs, making crafts from recycled materials, and much more!

Pre-registration for each program appreciated, but not required. $2.00 per family per program, or buy a $15.00 punch card good for 8 programs (only one punch card required per family). For more information or to register, please contact Sally Upton at 435-797-8938 or sally.upton@usu.edu. Programs are held at the Swaner EcoCenter in Kimball Junction.

Program Dates and Story Line-Up

October 1: This Tree Counts by Alison Formento; discover different types of leaves and seeds, make an identification key for different trees, and complete a finger painting activity

October 15: Fall is Not Easy by Mary Kelley and Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson; Play a matching game about the seasons, make fall colored leaves with food coloring, and learn to classify leaves based on shape, color, etc.

November 5: Moose's Morning by Pamela Love and What Use is a Moose by Martin Waddell; Learn all about moose and make a moose mask

November 19: Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming and Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft; activity TBD

December 3: When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan and Snow by Cynthia Rylant; activity TBD

December 17: When Santa Turned Green by Victoria Perla and Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Dick Schneider; make a recycled craft for a Christmas gift

January 7: Book and activity TBD

January 21: Big Tracks, Little Tracks by Millicent E. Selsam; We'll put on snowshoes and go look for animal tracks in the snow. We have snowshoes for children and parents to wear. Come dressed for spending time outside in the snow and cold. Enjoy hot cocoa afterwards.

February 4: The Barn Owls by Tony Johnston and Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan; meet live owls

February 18: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon; learn about bats and make a "batty" craft

March 4: Monarch and Milkweed by Helen Frost and Gotta Go, Gotta Go by Sam Swope; meet live caterpillars and learn about the butterfly lifecycle. You will get to watch the caterpillars change into butterflies over the next few weeks of the program.

March 18: Under One Rock  by Anthony D. Fredericks; activity TBD

April 1: Luck by Jean Craighead George; Learn all about sandhill cranes, look for sandhill cranes on the Preserve, and make a sandhill crane craft

April 15: Eliza and the Dragonfly by Susie Caldwell Rinehart; meet live baby and adult dragonflies and make a dragonfly to take home

May 6: Beaver's Lodge by Ingrid Shubert; learn all about beavers and make a beaver dam craft

May 20: From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer; meet live tadpoles and frogs, learn about the frog lifecycle, and make a froggy mask

Youth Programs at Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter are conducted in partnership with Utah State University Extension 4-H.