children's nature events
Our purpose
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
Never before in history have children been so plugged-in
– and so out of touch
with the natural world.
At Dinner Bell Farm,
we craft “learning in action” experiences –
combining discovery, activities, story, crafts, and celebrations
- weaving in the trees, plants, and animals that are our kin.
We offer ways of connecting which speak not only to the intellect, but also to the imagination and emotions.
We offer nourishment for
mind, body, and spirit
– head, heart, and hands.
At this time in the history of our planet, we need to renew our healthy relationship to the Earth.
There is such richness available in the friendships we can develop
with the natural world
and the other-than-human beings.
These experiences inspire and nurture a natural response to
love, care for, and protect
these beings and this precious Earth.
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
Families who spend time in nature develop strong bonds,
better communication and
incredible memories!
School, work and busy schedules can make it hard to find time
for nature.
We can help – connecting you to ideas, inspiration, and a community of people who are committed to spending quality time outdoors with the kids they care about.
Our Children’s Nature Events
at Dinner Bell Farm
are designed to lead you and your child(ren) out your door,
into the natural world
where myriad wonders are taking place all around you.
Our events are not rushed -
we build in time for
discovery and play.
We hope that our events and experiences here
will entice us all to go outside,
to play and interact
with the natural world,
and to celebrate
the different seasons of year.
2023 Calendar
Bring a Parent, Grandparent, or Grown-up Friend
2023 Calendar
Join us each month,
or whenever you can!
(See more details below)
Discover Early Signs of Spring
February 18 (Saturday)
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Spring Equinox
March 18 (Saturday)
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Earth Day Celebration
April 23 (Sunday)
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Mother's Day Picnic
May 14 (Sunday)
12:30 - 2:30
Summer Solstice
June 21 (Wednesday)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Summer Farm Camp
Two Sessions:
July 30 - Aug 4
Aug 7 - 11
Autumn Equinox
Sept. 23 (Saturday)
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Feast Day of St. Francis
Oct. 4 (Wednesday)
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Gratitude Walk
Nov. 24 (Friday)
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Winter Solstice Lantern Walk
Dec. 21 (Thursday)
4:00 - 6:00 pm
register now - spring equinox event
Saturday, March 18th: 2:30 - 5:30 pm
Cost: $25.00/child with adult (second sibling/friend $10.00)
Two Age Groups for activities:
- Ages 4-7
- - Ages 8-11
Join us as we tromp through the forest
to find signs of wildlife emerging,
visit the goats and chickens and baby pigs,
see how a farm prepares for spring,
create something to take home,
and roast marshmallows around the fire pit.
Activities will be led by Farmer Stephanie and Matt Stansbury, nature author.
In the Piedmont forest of North Carolina, signs of spring start to emerge long before the official start of the season. The activities this day will allow for both structured and unstructured play in nature and a collaborative activity called bio-blitz, a way to document species diversity, that will enrich your understanding and delight in the natural world.
The beauty of the Piedmont is that it's a naturalist's dream, a place where ecosystems overlap and blend into each other. There are hundreds of species of plants, animals and fungi to notice and identify. The children will be working together with the adults to document as many different species as possible in our time in the woods and on the farm. We will take time examining the most interesting of our findings, provide results to the group on what we found, and create some artwork to help us ground what we learn.
Photos from 2022 Children's Solstice lantern walk
