Family Programs

The Center is the perfect place for people of all ages to spend quality time together learning about nature.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center gives children and families a living, breathing connection to the natural world through informal science education. The Center’s unique combination of resources including a live animal collection, public access planetarium, nearby trails and park setting along the shores of Lake Erie allows for high-quality time spent with family and friends.

Featured Programs

Reasons for Rehabilitation

Why did we receive more than 3,000 ill, injured or orphaned animals into our wildlife rehabilitation facility last year? For many different reasons! Caught by a cat, hit by a car, tangled in fishing line to name a few. Come hear about our patients from our licensed and certified wildlife rehabilitators, meet a resident animal with its own success story, and find out how we give animals a second chance at life.

Saturday, November 30, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

For adults and children ages 10 and up
Fee: $15/person.

Saw whet owl with wing wrap

Winter Solstice Celebration

Get ready for the longest night of the year! Take a lantern-lit night hike through the winter woods, meet native animals and learn how they adapt to the season, and make a simple craft near the cozy crackling fire. Spend time in Schuele Planetarium to learn the meaning of the solstice and tour the current night sky. Telescope viewing will be available, weather permitting!

Friday, December 20, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

For all ages
Fee: $15/person. Children 6 months and under are free.

Night Sky with Orion
Refund Policy: Notification is required one week prior to the start of a program to be eligible for a refund. A service fee of 5% will be applied to all refunds.

Upcoming Programs

Current Month

November 2024

wed20nov6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

wed27nov2:00 pmwed2:30 pmForward! To the MoonAges 10 and up2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

fri29nov2:00 pmfri2:30 pmCosmic Mashups: Gravity, Galaxies and Supermassive Black HolesAges 10 and up2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

sat30nov2:00 pmsat3:00 pmReasons for RehabilitationFor adults and children ages 10 and up2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

December 2024

wed18dec6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

fri20dec6:00 pmfri8:30 pmWinter Solstice CelebrationFor all ages6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

January 2025

wed15jan6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat18jan10:00 amsat11:30 amIntroduction to BeekeepingFor adults and children ages 10 and up10:00 am - 11:30 am

fri24jan7:00 pmfri8:00 pmSkywatch Live!For adults and children ages 6 and up7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

February 2025

wed19feb6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

fri21feb6:00 pmfri8:30 pmOwl ProwlFor all ages6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

fri28feb7:00 pmfri8:00 pmSkywatch Live!For adults and children ages 6 and up7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

March 2025

fri14mar7:00 pmfri8:00 pmSkywatch Live!For adults and children ages 6 and up7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

wed19mar6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

April 2025

sat12apr10:00 amsat12:00 pmFamily Earth Day CelebrationFor all ages10:00 am - 12:00 pm

wed16apr6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat19apr7:00 pmsat8:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

fri25apr7:00 pmfri8:00 pmSkywatch Live!For adults and children ages 6 and up7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

fri25apr7:00 pmfri8:00 pmSkywatch Live!For adults and children ages 6 and up7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

May 2025

wed21may6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat24may7:00 pmsat8:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

June 2025

sat14jun1:00 pmsat3:00 pmIntroduction to Nature JournalingFor all ages1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

wed18jun6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat21jun8:00 pmsat9:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

July 2025

wed16jul6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat19jul8:00 pmsat9:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

August 2025

wed20aug6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat23aug8:00 pmsat9:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

September 2025

wed17sep6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat20sep7:00 pmsat8:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

October 2025

wed15oct6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

sat18oct7:00 pmsat8:30 pmTelescope NightFor adults and children ages 12 and up7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

November 2025

wed19nov6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

December 2025

wed17dec6:30 pmwed8:00 pmAstronomy ClubFor adults and children ages 12 and up6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Renovations are underway in the outdoor Wildlife GardensClick here to learn more.