2025 Summer Activity Guide

Preschool Butterflies - Caterpillar Transformation Ages 3-6 Children will learn all about the stages of a butterfly through songs, butterfly dances, crafts, and observations of live caterpillars. All children must be accompanied by an adult. W 1:00-2:00pm 5/21 $10 374105-02 Ages 3-6 Learn all about butterflies through hands-on activities, a nature hike, and releasing butterflies into the Hanson Park pollinator garden. All children must be accompanied by an adult. W 11:00am-12:00pm 5/28 $10 374105-03 Preschool Butterflies - Magic of the Butterfly Storytime - Space Exploration Ages Infant-5 Use your imagination to blast off in your spaceship and visit the moon! Come to the Nature Center to explore a star-filled storytime journey to space together. Th 10:00-10:30am 6/5 Free 474107-01 Th 10:00-10:30am 7/31 Free 474107-02 W 10:00-10:30am 8/20 Free 474107-03 Ages Infant-5 The library is coming to Hanson Park! Bring a picnic blanket to the Nature Center for an unforgettable storytime with music, dancing, and a whole lot of fun. F 10:00-10:30am 6/13 Free 474714-01 F 10:00-10:30am 7/25 Free 474714-02 F 10:00-10:30am 8/8 Free 474714-03 Library Storytime ELEMENTARY Junior Astronomers - Moon Impacts Ages 5-10 Join us for an engaging hands-on class in which we explore the surface of the moon, and why it looks the way it does! Afterwards using clay, we will create asteroids and experiment with how they impact the moon in this hands-on activity. Sa 10:30-11:30am 7/12 $8 474201-01 Ages 5-10 Learn what a meteor is and how to spot one in the night sky! We will explore how to identify a meteor during the upcoming Perseids Meteor Shower then create asteroid art using paints and a variety of mediums. Sa 10:30-11:30am 8/9 $8 474201-02 Junior Astronomers - Meteor Sightings All Ages The Waterford Quilters Guild is coming to the Hanson Park Nature Center to show off their hard work and how they make their quilts. You will be able to try some hands-on quilting with glue and fabric. F 1:00-2:00pm 6/6 Free 474719-01 Tu 1:00-2:00pm 8/19 Free 474719-02 All Ages Get your coat and travel to the coldest parts of our solar system to learn about the gas giants. This planetarium is recommended for ages 6-12, and those young at heart. The planetarium is usually experienced by sitting on a cushion or lying on the floor. Chairs are available upon request to hansonpark@loudoun.gov. Registration is required for all participants. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. F 5:30-6:30pm 6/6 $10 474701-01 Sa 5:30-6:30pm 6/7 $10 474701-02 MULTIAGE Quilting Demonstration Planetarium - Gassy Giants

Family Fishing Day All Ages People of all skill level are welcome to this family fishing day at the largest pond in Hanson Park! We will provide optional instruction, assistance, and supplies. Virginia does not require a fishing license on this very special weekend. Sa 10:30am-12:00pm 6/7 $5 474720-01 Sa 1:30-3:00pm 6/7 $5 474720-02 All Ages Explore the exciting world of chemistry! Enjoy fun and engaging demonstrations to learn all about safe chemical reactions. Demonstrations will include changing colors, lava lamp, and more. Recommended for ages 5-12. Tu 10:00-10:30am 6/10 Free 474721-01 Tu 10:00-10:30am 6/17 Free 474721-02 F 11:00-11:30am 6/20 Free 474721-03 Tu 10:00-10:30am 8/12 Free 474721-04 Tu 10:00-10:30am 8/19 Free 474721-05 Wonderful World Of Chemistry 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. W 10:30-11:00am 6/11 Free 474711-01 F 10:30-11:00am 6/20 Free 474711-02 W 10:30-11:00am 7/16 Free 474711-03 Th 10:30-11:00am 7/24 Free 474711-04 Th 10:30-11:00am 8/14 Free 474711-05 W 10:30-11:00am 8/20 Free 474711-06 All Ages Welcome Summer with the Hanson Park Nature Center! Join us as we spend the day welcoming the season with exciting crafts, games, activities, decorating, storytime, nature walks, and more! As the days start to heat up, join us as we discover the many ways to keep cool this summer. Recommended for ages 3-8. Sa 10:00am-1:00pm 6/7 Free 474710-01 Welcome Summer Raptor Encounter All Ages Have you ever wanted to meet a bird of prey? Here is your chance! You will learn what makes these birds such incredible hunters, as well as find out about the threats they are facing today. At the end of the program, there will be an opportunity to take photos with the raptors. Sa 4:30-6:00pm 6/14 $15 474718-01 All Ages Visit the splashpad pavilion to try your luck at BERNI BINGO! Winners of each round receive a prize. No registration required. F 2:00-3:00pm 6/20 Free 474722-01 Sa 2:00-3:00pm 7/19 Free 474722-02 Sa 2:00-3:00pm 8/16 Free 474722-03 Berni Bingo Snakes Are SSSSuper All Ages Do you think snakes are ssssuper or sssscary? Find out why snakes look and behave differently than you. Meet a real snake and learn about the types of snakes you might encounter in your parks and neighborhoods. Sa 10:30-11:30am 6/21 $5 474704-01