As part of Take a Child Outside (TACO) Week, the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources will be hosting a fun-filled week of outdoor activities for kids.
This annual event encourages children and families across the country to get outside, explore, and learn more about the local environment. What will you discover about yourself or your backyard? Join these special programs to learn, play and spend time together in the wonderful outdoors.
All events for TACO Week are FREE unless otherwise indicated. Follow the links below to register for the programs.
TACO Week is from September 24th to 30th, 2021.
Fall Flowers and Flyers
Friday, September 24th, 2021
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh
Age 5+
Every fall brings thousands of flowers to Wilkerson Nature Preserve’s fields — just in time to fuel fall butterflies, monarchs, and hummingbirds as they prepare for migration. Join in for an outdoor walking program to learn about the flowers of fall, admire their beauty and diversity, and see how protecting fall flowers supports many animals around us.
Nature Play Day
Friday, September 24th, 2021
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh
All ages
Make time for playing in nature. Children of all ages, as well as the young at heart, are welcome to join in for imaginative play in a natural setting. Dig for gemstones, make a fort out of natural materials, fly a kite, make mud pies and more. Materials and guidance will be provided to get you started on a playful adventure. No registration required. Adults must accompany their children.
Twilight Walk
Saturday, September 25th, 2021
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve
5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh
Age 5+
Many animals are active around sunset or shortly after. Take a walk with a park naturalist to explore the woods and fields at this special time. Look for deer, coyotes and owls. This program is designed for families with young children. Adults must accompany children.
Praying Mantids
Thursday, September 30th, 2021
5 to 6 p.m.
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
2900 Horse Shoe Farm Road, Wake Forest
Age 6+
Colder weather is coming and many animals are preparing, including praying mantids. Come learn about these wacky insects and their lives. We’ll explore the preserve to search for mantids and their egg cases. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must register.
Family Nature Hike
Saturday, September 25th, 2 to 3 p.m.
Lake Wheeler Park
6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh
All ages
Get outside at Lake Wheeler and explore the world around you. This guided hike will encourage you to use multiple senses to make observations along the trail. These walks 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.
Junior Kids Fishing
Monday, September 27th, 2021, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Lake Johnson Waterfront Center, 4601 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh
Age 4-6
This program is for younger children who have never fished before but would like to try. We will practice with some casting games and then spend some time fishing in the lake. Your child will leave with stickers and fishing themed coloring pages. We will teach them that fishing is fun, join us today. Adult(s) must accompany child(ren), but do not need to register. Advanced registration required.
Kids Fishing
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Lake Johnson Waterfront Center, 4601 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh
Age 7-12
This program is great for youth new to fishing. We will go over casting techniques, setting up your rod and reel, and what fish are found in the lake. Then of course we will spend time fishing in the lake. Come see if you can hook one and reel it in. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not required to accompany child(ren). This program is designed to give parent(s)/guardian(s) time to enjoy the park while the child(ren) enjoys the program. Advanced registration is required.
Pond Explorers
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021
1 to 3:30 p.m.
Lake Wheeler Park
6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh
Ages 5-12
Love exploring creeks and ponds? Use dip nets, buckets, and your hands to find out what lives there! 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. Preregistration is required. Children must be accompanied by adults.
Outdoor Recreation – Navigating the Wilderness
Sunday September 26th, 2021
1 to 2 p.m.
Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center
5611 Jaguar Park Drive, Raleigh
Age 13-16
How would you get around the wilderness if your phone and GPS lost power or broke altogether? This course will take you on a journey off the trails inside Lake Johnson Park. You will learn how to how to take bearings, read a topographic map, read a compass, understand triangulation, and much more. No prior experience is necessary. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are not required to accompany child(ren). This program is designed to give parent(s)/guardian(s) time to enjoy the park while the child(ren) enjoys the program. Advanced registration required.
Nature – All About Beavers
Saturday, September 25th, 2021
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center
5611 Jaguar Park Drive, Raleigh
All ages
Want to learn more about the amazing beaver – nature’s ecosystem engineers? During this program you will learn about beaver adaptations with a fun filled activity and even go on a short hike to look for signs of beavers. All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children elementary school age or older. Adult(s) must accompany child(ren). Advanced registration required.
Herping in the Wetland
Thursday, September 30th, 2021
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park
950 Peterson Street, Raleigh
Age 7-12
What is herping? Herping is looking for ‘herps’ or reptiles and amphibians. In this TACO (Take a Child Outside) program, kids will learn about and search for some of the reptiles and amphibians that call the wetland home. Come dressed to spend some time outside in clothing that can get wet or muddy. A change of clothes is recommended, and kids are encouraged to bring rain boots or borrow a pair, if conditions merit.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
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