REVIEW: LITTLE EXPLORERS PROGRAM

Little Explorers is a class offered through Stark Parks for preschoolers. The class is offered every two weeks with new wildlife/nature topics each session. We have attended sessions on snakes, squirrels, pumpkins, etc.

Typically, you have a bit of time to explore the room, then a craft or two and then the instructor gives a short talk on the topic using visual aids. On the squirrel class, we took a short walk on the trail outside the classroom to see if we could see any squirrels “in nature”. There were several live snakes at the “snake” class and we were able to pet one.

The classroom is full of interesting exhibits – live/stuffed animals, animal parts (furs, bones, etc) the kids can touch, information about life cycles and babies, models of habitats, and more.

Insider Tips:
---Register early – this class fills up quickly.
---If you like to hike, there is a wooded trail right outside the classroom door with a great view.
---Arrive a bit early so you have time to explore the room.

What I Liked:
---The classroom exhibits - you could spend an hour just looking around the room.
---They try to have a good amount of hand-on activities and exhibits. With preschoolers, that’s important!
---The classroom is on the floor right below a very cool library, a gift shop, and the canalway center. Lots to do in one place.

What I Would Change:
I would recommend this class for children who are 4 or older – the 3-year-olds may not have the attention span or understanding to fully enjoy the class.

For More Information:
To register, visit www.starkparks.com or call 330-477-3552.

Reviewer: Allyson Robinson, mother of three children ages 6 and younger