Family Programs

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Experience Butterfly Pavilion After-Hours at a discounted admission rate! Join us on the first Tuesday of every month to explore our exhibits after hours and enjoy self-guided activities! As a bonus, upon completing all activities, each family member earns a fun invertebrate sticker!

Registration is required. Ticket sales and event admission close at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Don’t miss this affordable and educational after-hours experience!

Every month there is a new theme, check the list below and pre-register tickets for the nights you want to attend!

2025 Dates and Themes:

January 7th - Metamorphosis

February 4th – Buggy Valentines

March 6th *First Thursday* - Invertebrates in Arts and Literature

April 8th - Unlikely Friendships

May 6th – What’s for Dinner?

June 3rd – Pollinator Protectors

July 8th – Bug Birthdays

August 5th - The Patterns of Nature

September 2nd - Invertebrate Creations

October 7th – Not-So-Spooky Spiders!

November 4th – Monarch Mysteries

December 2nd - Bugs in Winter

Join us for a cozy winter family program where we’ll share the heartwarming tale of Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo, a story about kindness, wonder, and the magic of unexpected guests. After the story, families will create their own nature-inspired ornaments using wood slices, painted with trees and tiny spiders, and decorated with a touch of tinsel to hang them with. Perfect for all ages, this event combines storytelling and creativity in a festive atmosphere that celebrates nature’s beauty and winter surprises.

Instructor: Local artist Dani Forsyth

Pricing:

• $18 per project for member adults/$14 kids
• $20 per project for non-members/$16 kids
• Pricing includes materials for one (1) decorated ornament. Additional ornaments may be purchased at ticket cost

What’s included:

• Storytime
• Wood slice ornament and decorations/paint
• Tinsel to hang the ornament

Girl Scout Day is April 12th 10 am – 12 pm

Girl Scout Day Includes:

Programming to get Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade girls excited about joining Girl Scouts!

Stations with crafts, activities, and discussions all about invertebrates.

Access to all of our indoor and outdoor exhibits after 11 am!

Girl Scout Day Cost:

Adult (Non-member) : $14

Child (Non-member, 2-12): $10

Members: FREE

Children under 2: FREE

*includes general admission as well as extra scout activities.

Please note:

Pre-registration is recommended. Walk ups may be accepted but entrance is not guaranteed.

Celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren with a delightful pressed flower lantern workshop! Create beautiful lanterns that will light up your home and serve as a cherished memory of your time together. And, without pollinators like bees, flies, and wasps, we wouldn't have such beautiful flowers to create works of art with!

Supplies included:

- One 10oz glass jar per person

- Pressed flowers

- Supplies to assemble the craft

Instructor: local artist Dani Forsyth!

Moms are an important part of life, and they deserve some extra appreciation, and pollinators do too! Mother's Day at Butterfly Pavilion is full of fun activities! Together with your kids you can create beautiful artwork inspired by spring and the new life that comes with it, and plant seeds that will grow into native pollinator hubs this summer. Then, follow our staff on a guided promenade through our gardens full of flowers. The perfect way to spend the morning as a family!

What to expect:

• Paint flowers made from pinecones with local artist Dani Forsyth!
• Plant native flower seeds that you can take home and plant in your yard!
• Promenade through the gardens around Butterfly Pavilion to observe native pollinators!

Pricing:

• Non-members: $35/adult; $20/child
• Members: $30/adult; $18/child
• Children under 2 years old are free!
• All supplies included in price of program

Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we know that things can get pretty hectic with busy butterflies, bees and bodies buzzing around during the day. Join us for a low-sensory afternoon that meets the needs of families that need to experience the Pavilion in a different way. With natural lighting, quiet tones, and limited admission - this experience offers your little one an enjoyable, low-key experience just for them.

Each Sensory Friendly Afternoon offers guided interpretation in each exhibit and an interactive Storytime program.