Take a Child Outside (TACO) Week events at Raleigh Parks and Nature Preserves Sept. 24-30

Locations for TACO Week Programs

A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve
5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh, NC

Durant Nature Preserve
8305 Camp Durant Road, Raleigh, NC

TACO Week: Nature Exploration
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Free
Ages 3-7

Go on a guided hike to explore nature. We’ll look high and low for things big and small. How many things will we find?

TACO Week: Grandparent Walk
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Free
All ages

Get your body moving! Scheduled to happen during our weekly “Walk and Talk” program for active adults, participants are encouraged to bring grandchildren with them to explore our greenways and scenic nature trails. Walks go at a medium pace and typically last 45 minutes. Bring your budding naturalist with you on this wellness in nature focused program! In this FREETACO program, kids will learn how to notice the world around them, take ownership over their outdoor spaces, and feel empowered to engage the world around them responsibly. Adults must be present during program time. Come dressed to spend the program outdoors.
Adult must be present with child participants. Be prepared for damp surfaces when walking.

TACO Week: Garden and Orchard Scavenger Hunt
September 24 to 30, 2025
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (during opening hours)
Marsh Creek Community Center
Free
Age 3+

This scavenger hunt is a part of “Take A Child Outside” (TACO) Week! Visit Marsh Creek Community Center to receive your official scavenger hunt materials and head out to the Garden and Orchard to find everything listed. Registration is required for this event. Be sure to wear clothing that can get dirty!

TACO Week: Stream Explorers
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
4 to 5 p.m.
Durant Nature Preserve
$5
Ages 10+

Come explore our stream with us for Take A Child Outside Week, as we look at wildlife in and around the Simms Branch Creek. We’ll look on the banks and dip (with nets) under the water to find the critters that live there, and we’ll learn about their amazing adaptations. For participants 10 and older. Children must be accompanied by adults. Pre-registration is required.

TACO Week: Family Nature Hike
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Forest Ridge Park
Free
All ages

Get outside and explorer the trails at Forest Ridge Park! Join one of our experienced naturalists to gain information on flora, fauna, or just enjoy hiking as part of a group. These hikes are designed for the whole family. Routes and topics will be tailored to accommodate the group. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Pre-registration is recommended although not required.

TACO Week: Balance Bike Obstacle Course
Thursday, September 25, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Forest Ridge Park
Free
Ages 2-5

Riding a balance bike around an obstacle can be a great way for a child to improve their riding skills while having fun! Zig-zag, around and around, limbo, teeter-totter and more! Ride the course once or multiple times. Instructors will be onsite to assist with directions and bike set up. Balance bikes and helmets will be provided. Come play bikes with us!

TACO Week: Sensory Hike
Thursday, September 25, 2025
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Free
Ages 4-12

Sometimes we all need to take a moment to look at the world with a different perspective. Give yourself a chance to focus on journey and movement in natural spaces by engaging all your senses on a hike in a familiar place. In this FREETACO program, kids will learn how to notice the world around them, take ownership over their outdoor spaces, and feel empowered to engage the world around them responsibly. Bare feet are optional! Come dressed to spend the program outdoors.
Come dressed to spend the program outdoors. Water bottles, bug spray, and sunblock are all recommended.

TACO Week: Pond Explorers
Thursday, September 25, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lake Wheeler Park
Free
Ages 5-12

Join us in celebrating Take a Child Outside (TACO) week with the City of Raleigh and Outdoor Recreation Parks by participating in one of the many programs offered throughout the week. Love exploring creeks and ponds? Use dip nets, buckets, and your hands to find out what lives in the water at Lake Wheeler! We’ll get wet as we search for amazing critters in Simpkins Pond, and learn what they can tell us about the health of the water. Please wear rain boots or water shoes if you have them. Pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults.

TACO Week: Bug Hunt
Thursday, September 25, 2025
4:30 to 6 p.m.
A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Free
Ages 5-12

How can you identify an insect? What makes a spider a spider? Test your skills as a bug-catcher as we learn how to use nets and jars to get a closer look at some of the smaller critters in the park!

TACO Week: Nature Play Day
Friday, September 26, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Free (no registration required)
All Ages

Join us to make time for playing in nature. Children of all ages, as well as the young at heart, are welcome to join us for nature inspired imaginative play. We’ll provide the materials and guidance to get you started on a playful adventure. No registration is required; drop in any time between 10am and 12pm to join the fun! Adults must accompany their children.

TACO Week: Dendrology for Kids
Friday, September 26, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Free
Ages 6-12

Have you ever noticed just how many kinds of trees there are? Short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones. Some that have leaves, some that have needles. Some are easy to climb and some even have thorns! Dendrology is the study of trees. In this FREETACO program, kids will learn about trees and learn how to identify the trees that live around us. Hugging of trees is optional. Come dressed to spend the program outdoors.

TACO Week: Outdoor Cooking & Night Hike
Friday, September 26, 2025
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Durant Nature Preserve
$16
Ages 5+

Skip the kitchen for a night of family fun and skill-building as you work together to prepare and eat a delicious dinner over the campfire. Practice building a fire, cooking with coals, and assembling a meal sure to please the whole crew. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register and pay program fee.
Please come dressed for the weather and bring your own water bottle. We will meet outside of the Training Lodge at the North parking lot.

TACO Week: Magical Monarchs
Saturday, September 27, 2025
3 to 4 p.m.
Durant Nature Preserve
Free
Ages 3-6

Meet the Monarchs, our most famous butterflies, as they journey south for the winter. We’ll learn about the Monarchs’ long migration and what they like to eat, make a craft fit for the king of butterflies, and search for flying visitors in our Monarch Garden. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults. Join us in celebrating Take a Child Outside (TACO) week with our Nature Preserves and Outdoor Recreation Parks by participating in one of the many programs offered throughout the week.
Please dress for the weather and bring your own water bottle, if desired. We will meet outside of the Training Lodge near the North parking lot.

TACO Week: Fall Leaves
Sunday, September 28, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center
Free
Ages 7-10

Why do leaves change color? Come find out in this fun filled program. In this FREETACO program, participants will learn about leaves while participating in leaf themed activities. We will even perform a science experiment to see what pigments leaves have. All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children elementary school age or older. Adults must be present during program time. Come dressed to spend time both inside and outdoors.
Adult(s) must accompany participant(s).

TACO Week: Lake Wheeler Forest Adventures
Monday, September 29, 2025
3 to 5 p.m.
Lake Wheeler Park
Free
Ages 6-12

What’s going on in the forest of Lake Wheeler? Come learn about trees, leaf litter, food webs, insects, watersheds, and more that make up forest ecology. Dress for the weather and plan to hike around on trails and some off trails. Pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults.

TACO Week: Bird Buddies
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve
Free
Ages 3-7

Why are birds colorful? Can you sing like a bird? Make paper-tube binoculars and take a walk to spy on our bird biddies in the forest and field. Adults must accompany their children.