If your little one would rather be exploring than sitting at a table, this one’s for you!
Starting in January, the Oakbrook Terrace Park District is launching Seed to Sky NaturePlay School at Lake View Nature Center. It’s a new program for 3- to 5-year-olds, and most of the learning happens outside.
This article is sponsored by Oakbrook Terrace Park District, and all opinion are my own.
So what’s “NaturePlay”?
It’s unstructured outdoor play where kids use what they find, like rocks, sticks, and water, to build, imagine, and explore. Research links this kind of play to better focus, physical health, confidence, and social skills. It can also help kids manage stress and anxiety. It’s the kind of childhood play a lot of us remember!
What a morning looks like
Weather permitting, kids will spend most of their time outdoors. They’ll look for animal tracks, watch birds, dig for insects, measure trees, and study snowflakes up close. They’ll still cover the basics: numbers, early words, fine and gross motor skills, and the social-emotional skills that make for a smooth kindergarten start.
On cold or rainy days, the Nature Center has plenty of indoor space. There’s a dedicated classroom for crafts, and kids can meet the center’s animal ambassadors. Each day follows a predictable routine, which little ones need, with room for child-led activities too.
Children will get to spend quality time at the Nature Center, developing their first friendships and learning through the wonders of nature
Executive Director Shannon Elsey
The details
- Ages: 3–5 (must be 3 by January 1, 2027, and fully potty trained, no pull-ups)
- Dates: January 5–May 20, 2027 (no classes the week of March 30)
- Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00–11:30 a.m.
- Location: Lake View Nature Center, 17W063 Hodges Rd, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
- Cost: $1,995 for the semester, or $405/month on a payment plan
- Registration fee: $75 (non-refundable), waived if you register by November 20
- Registration deadline: December 15
