About
Irvine Nature Center Youth & Family Programs includes Little Birds, where children meet animal friends, make nature crafts, sing songs, and explore outside. It also includes Nature Preschool, which uses the natural world in an accredited preschool program, and Earth Friends Homeschool, which offers outdoor learning and exploration with documentation for home school portfolios.
Programs
- Little Birds (Caregiver & Child Classes for ages 8-months to 3) — 8 months to 3 · Meet new animal friends, create nature crafts, sing songs, and explore outside. Semester-long, single-day, and week-long summer classes.
- Nature Preschool (Nature-based classes for children age 3 to 5) — 3 to 5 · Award-winning, accredited preschool program focused on academic skills through encounters in the natural world.
- Earth Friends Homeschool (Outdoor learning and exploration for ages 4.5 to 12) — 4.5 to 12
At a glance
- Ages: 0–12 years old
- Facility hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM (April-October) and 10AM-4PM (November-March); closed Mondays.
About the provider
Irvine was founded in 1975 and says it is the largest independent non-profit nature center in the region. It states that its goal is to expose children and adults to environmental literacy and teach environmental stewardship and concern for the planet. Irvine also says it provides more than 800 environmental education program sessions to over 51,000 children and adults each year, and brings programs to more than 4,400 public and private school students and to community and senior centers across Maryland.
Pets are not allowed on the property at any time. Irvine is not licensed to help with or take injured animals.
What families say
“We couldn’t ask for a more amazing place for our son to start his schooling. Your kind and welcoming approach has made such a lasting impact. You have taught him how to embrace nature and respect his environment in a whole new and exciting way. His first year was filled with wonder, love and friendship, and he cannot wait for next year.” — Jackie, Bryan, and Christina Cimorelli, Nature Preschool Parents
Last updated October 30, 2026.
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