Calendar of Events
Family Programs
Family Program: Rot-n-Roll with Wild Decomposers
Celebrate the fascinating world of decomposition with author Britt Crow-Miller and Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol. From fungi and earthworms to slugs and slime molds, meet some real live wild decomposers during this marvelously moldy family event.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Converse Meadow
Converse Meadow Trail Converseville Road, Rindge, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil for these pint-sized adventures in Keene and beyond! Together, we’ll explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. This ongoing series is a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Winter Tracking Adventure for Families
Join Harris Center naturalist Nikko Gagnon for a family tracking adventure in the wilds of Ashuelot River Park. We’ll search the woods and river edges for leapers, bounders, waddlers, and walkers, and find out which wildlife call this special place home.
Animal Songs & Stories Family Concert
At this special concert preschoolers and their families will take a musical journey into the animal world through song and dance. Teacher-naturalist and musician Jazimina Creamer-MacNeil will head up a fun, free hour-long program where children and parents learn about local animals. All ages are welcome.
Safe Crossing: Spring Amphibians with Kari Percival
Join award-winning children’s book author Kari Percival as she shares from her newest book, Safe Crossing, which tells the story of how people of all ages come together on the first rainy nights of spring to help salamanders and frogs cross roads during their spring migration.
Family Owl Prowl
Have a hoot with naturalists and owl lovers Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol as we dare to be animal adventurers! We’ll quietly prowl the twilight woods in search of wild owls, find out how these amazing nighttime hunters catch their meals, and even learn to speak owl. Perfect for families with children age 5 and up.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Casalis State Forest
Casalis State Forest Elm Hill Road, Peterborough, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Book Launch: Forest Magic for Kids
Celebrate the release of Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol’s second book, Forest Magic for Kids — a playful activity guide that invites children, families, educators, and caregivers to explore the imaginative spaces that nature holds for all of us.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Children’s Woods
Children's Woods Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Words for the Wild: An Earth Day Book Celebration
Join nature writers from across New England to celebrate Earth Day and the natural world through words, action, and imagination. Participating authors include Britt Crow Miller, Susie Spikol, Vanessa Chakour, Owen Wormser, and Lauren E. Oakes.
Rock Hounders Family Rock Club: Chickering Mine
Calling all rock hounds! Join naturalists Susie Spikol and Julie Brown for a rockin’ adventure at an old mine, where we’ll search for feldspar, mica, quartz, beryl, and other geological treasures. For families with elementary-aged children and up.
Bird Walk for Families in Antrim
Every spring, millions of migratory birds bring color and joyful sounds to our landscape. Uncover some of their secrets on this leisurely walk with Phil Brown, the Harris Center’s Bird Conservation Director. Our route will cover up to a half-mile along paved paths or roads.
Family Ponding Trip at Robin Hood Park
Hop, scoot, and dive into an adventure at Robin Hood Park with Harris Center teacher-naturalist Nikko Gagnon! Together, we’ll explore the pond and discover what watery critters call it home, from dragonflies and frogs to beetles and turtles.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Robin Hood Park
Robin Hood Park Reservoir Street, Keene, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center educator Jazimina MacNeil-Creamer to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps — and a great way to meet other families with little ones who love spending time outside.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at RiverMead
RiverMead 150 RiverMead Road, Peterborough, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature along with residents from RiverMead. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Pollinator Palooza!
Join the Harris Center and many other organizations for an afternoon of learning and celebration for National Pollinator Week! Activities will include: pollinator bingo, painting your own pot for a native plant, caterpillar exploration, native plant sales, and more.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
Bug Safari
Join naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol for an hour-long adventure into the world of backyard bugs! Discover the fascinating lives of invertebrates as we search for slugs, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, crickets, caterpillars, inchworms, and more.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
From My Gnome to Yours
Join Susie Spikol, author of Forest Magic for Kids, to explore the whimsical world of gnomes! Hear tales of these wee folk, play traditional gnome games, create your own crew of charming characters, and build a sweet cozy gnome home outdoors. For ages 5 and up.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at the Hancock Depot Rail Trail
Hancock Depot 27 Depot Road, Hancock, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Wild STEM Scientists Investigate: Puke, Poop, and Slime!
Jaffrey Public Library 38 Main St., Jaffrey, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalists Jaime Hutchinson and Susie Spikol to discover how scientists learn about our wild world by investigating some of nature's grosser offerings. Dissect owl “puke,” learn to identify animals from their poop, and stir up a batch of slime that rivals a slug's slimy trail. For ages 6 through 12.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Tenant Swamp Boardwalk in Keene
Tenant Swamp Boardwalk 167 Maple Avenue, Keene, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Tenant Swamp in Keene, a unique wetland and mixed forest ecosystem accessible via a scenic boardwalk. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Book Launch: Susie Spikol’s The Book of Fairies
Join Harris Center naturalist and author Susie Spikol for a celebration of her latest book, The Book of Fairies. Try some fairy toast and discover how Susie took inspiration from nature, folklore, and her own wild imagination in writing this new guide to woodland magic.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at McCabe Forest in Antrim
McCabe Forest 2-84 Elm St Ext, Antrim, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at McCabe Forest in Antrim. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Turtles Alive! A Shell-abration
Join a Squam Lakes Natural Science Center naturalist to meet some of Squam’s turtle ambassadors up close and personal! Learn about the natural history of turtles in New Hampshire, and what you can do to help.
The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle with Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson
Join Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson to celebrate their new picture book, The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle, and hear the inspiring story of Fire Chief, a rescued snapping turtle.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow at Beech Hill in Dublin
Beech Hill Beech Hill Road, Dublin, NH, United StatesJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature at Beech Hill in Dublin. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
Saw-whet Owl Banding Demonstration for Families
Join the Harris Center's saw-whet banding team to learn what owl banding efforts are revealing about this diminutive bird of prey, and to see a demonstration of the banding process.
Babies in Backpacks & Toddlers in Tow in Harrisville
Harrisville Harrisville, NHJoin Harris Center naturalist Susie Spikol to explore, wander, and discover the magic of nearby nature on a Rail Trail in Harrisville. These pint-sized adventures are perfect for little legs and for babies in front packs, backpacks, slings, or wraps.
