Nature Discovery Days offer free winter fun and learning in Naperville

Winter is a great time to visit Knoch Knolls Park, not only for an invigorating walk through the woods, but also for fun, hands-on nature activities for both children and adults inside the Knoch Knolls Nature Center.

Each weekend from December through March, the Nature Center will host Nature Discovery Days, with a different theme each month. December focuses on Illinois mammals, January features trees in winter, February's theme is winter birds and the Great Backyard Bird Count, and March highlights maple sugaring.

Adults and children are invited to drop in for Nature Discovery Days at any time between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays in December, January and February and on Sundays in March. Additionally, Nature Discovery Days will be held during winter break on Dec. 27, 28 and 29, on Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 15, and on Presidents' Day on Feb. 19.

"Just as nature changes with the seasons, we wanted to create some fun, educational activities that highlight different animals and seasonal topics," said Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman. "Our naturalists set up a variety of activities that families can participate in at their own pace. For example, during December, participants can touch animal pelts and antlers, create a mammal mask, play a mammal matching game, and read books about Illinois mammals such as the white-tailed deer."

No registration is needed for Nature Discovery Days. Kids of all ages may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult.

To learn more visit www.napervilleparks.org/knochknollsnaturecenter.