2026 Fall Activity Guide

Bat Slime Ages 4-12 Did you know that bats, like bees, are important pollinators? In his hands- on activity kids will explore the fascinating world of bats while creating their very own gooey bat slime they can take home. Along the way, we’ll learn fun facts about these misunderstood creatures! Sa 10:30-11:30am 9/26 $8 174210-01 Fossil Art Ages 4-12 Celebrate National Fossil Day! Join us for this hands-on art class in which they will create beautiful clay pieces of art from fossil molds. Prepare to have a lot of fun creating several projects and get messy in this 2 hour class! Sa 10:30am-12:00pm 10/3 $15 174214-01 Planetarium: Mysterious Moons Ages 4-12 The moons of our solar system may hold more secrets than our planets and can be even more fascinating! Join us for this lively and engaging hands-on science program in which children will create their own asteroids out of clay. Afterward we will present a planetarium show on the moons. This is not a drop-off program and only one adult may accompany each registered child. Chairs are available upon request to hansonpark@loudoun.gov. Su 11:00am-12:30pm 10/4 $15 174207-01 Su 1:00-2:30pm 10/4 $15 174207-02 Not-So-Scary Spider Oobleck Ages 4-12 Did you know that not all spiders are scary? Come learn about how they create webs and help our planet as we make a special Halloween oobleck you can take home! Sa 10:30-11:30am 10/17 $8 174211-01 Fairy House Building Ages 4-12 Learn how to build a home for fairies. We will provide all of the supplies, guidance, and space to create a mess. By the end of the program, you will be able to take home your creation so the small magical creatures in your life can have a comfy place to stay. Sa 2:00-3:30pm 10/17 $15 174723-01 Chemistry Kids: Bioluminescence Ages 4-12 Create your very own glowing jar and learn about bioluminescence in nature. After, you are welcome to bring your creation on the luminary walk around the Hanson Park pond. Sa 2:30-3:30pm 11/7 $5 174212-01 Sa 3:30-4:30pm 11/7 $5 174212-02 Planetarium: The Red Planet Ages 4-12 Why is Mars Red? Was there ever life on Mars? During this session, children will have the opportunity to decorate their own craft Mars rover while learning all about the exciting facts about the Red Planet and other rocky planets in our portable planetarium. This is not a drop- off program and only one adult may accompany each registered child. Chairs are available upon request to hansonpark@loudoun.gov. Su 11:00am-12:00pm 11/8 $15 174208-01 Su 1:00-2:30pm 11/8 $15 174208-02 Rainbow in a Jar Ages 4-12 Come learn about the spectrum of rainbow colors with us! Discover the science behind rainbows in this colorful, hands-on program. Sa 10:30-11:30am 11/14 $8 174213-01

MULTIAGE BioBlitz Battle

All Ages This September celebrate Parks for Pollinators by forming teams and compete to see who can find the most species in Loudoun County! Every team will be assigned a park and provided a quick tutorial. The team with the highest species count wins the grand prize! A phone, or ipad is required for each team to take photos. Contact HansonPark@ loudoun.gov for more details. M-Su 7:00am-7:00pm 9/1-9/30 Free 174401-01 Skateboarding 101 Ages 8+ Learn the basics of skateboarding in this introductory class through instruction and practice! No experience needed. We will provide all necessary equipment. W 5:30-7:00pm 9/2 $15 174742-01 M 5:30-7:00pm 9/14 $15 174742-02 W 5:30-7:00pm 9/30 $15 174742-03 Sa 11:00am-12:30pm 10/3 $15 174742-04 Sa 2:00-3:30pm 10/17 $15 174742-05 Free Naturalist Chat All Ages Hanson Park’s Naturalist highlights seasonal topics and regional conservation efforts in this casual 45-minute chat. Subjects will include snake safety, tick prevention, and citizen science opportunities. Check at the Hanson Park Nature Center for a list of upcoming chat topics. F 10:30-11:15am 9/4 Free 174746-01 M 10:30-11:15am 9/21 Free 174746-02 Sa 10:30-11:15am 10/10 Free 174746-03 M 10:30-11:15am 11/9 Free 174746-04 Free Nature Walk All Ages Join a Master Naturalist for a free nature walk through our wooded trails. During the walk, you will learn about the plants and animals that make our park a thriving ecosystem. Please dress for the weather and mulched trails. This program begins at the Hanson Park Nature Center. Th 10:30-11:00am 9/10 Free 174714-01 W 10:30-11:00am 9/16 Free 174714-02 Tu 10:30-11:00am 10/6 Free 174714-03 Th 10:30-11:00am 10/15 Free 174714-04 W 10:30-11:00am 11/11 Free 174714-05 Th 10:30-11:00am 11/19 Free 174714-06 Welcome Fall All Ages Welcome Fall with the Hanson Park Nature Center! Come together with friends and family for our seasonal event and get ready for the months ahead. Decorate, play games, win prizes, join a guided walk, and discover some of the mystery and enchantment waiting for you this Fall. Recommended for ages 3-8. Sa 10:00am-1:00pm 9/19 Free 174715-01 Skateboarding 103: Freestyle Ages 8+ Learn technical ground-based skating and maneuvers. Minor experience required. We will provide all necessary equipment. W 5:30-7:00pm 9/16 $15 174735-01 M 5:30-7:00pm 9/28 $15 174735-02 Sa 2:30-4:00pm 10/3 $15 174735-03 Sa 2:30-4:00pm 11/14 $15 174735-04 Turtle Walk & Talk All Ages Fall is the best time of year to find box turtles in Hanson Park! Meet our ambassador box turtle, Boop, and learn about what makes turtles so turtle-y awesome! Then hike the trails to search for some of the Park’s resident turtles. M 1:00-2:15pm 9/21 $5 174730-01