# Things to do with kids at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve

> 10 upcoming family events and 1 ongoing programs and visits at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte, NC 28278, in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area. Dates and times are Eastern Time. Today is Sun, Oct 25.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 25, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/venues/mcdowell-nature-center-and-preserve

## Events ahead

- [Animal Ambassador Meet n' Greet at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/animal-ambassador-meet-n-greet-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-b83fc71347b7c56387fc58f6) — Sun, Oct 25 (+1 more date) · 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. On selected Sunday afternoons McDowell Nature Center brings out one of its live animal ambassadors for a short, close-up encounter. A naturalist introduces the animal and shares…
- [Old Growth Forest 50 Year Dedication Night Hike](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/old-growth-forest-50-year-dedication-night-hike--listing-2ac05605bebb71f20367f335) — Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Oct 14. Did you know that the McDowell Nature Preserve turns 50 in October 2026? In honor of our protected,mature, native forest the Old-Growth Forest Network will be designating us as…
- [Kids Hiking Club at McDowell Nature Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/kids-hiking-club-at-mcdowell-nature-preserve--listing-3a288c4e034bd459836ad9a7) — Fri, Oct 30 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 8–13 · Free · checked Oct 20. McDowell Nature Center's Kids Hiking Club is a monthly drop-off hiking group for children ages 8 to 13 that explores the trails of McDowell Nature Preserve with a naturalist…
- [Mysterious Mushroom Art Hike at McDowell](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/mysterious-mushroom-art-hike-at-mcdowell--listing-9bc84f5aa1e4042eadad6573) — Sat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 7+ · checked Oct 16. Children 7 and up and their adults look for fantastic fungi on a guided hike at McDowell Nature Center, then make a mushroom craft back in the classroom. All supplies provided…
- [Bones and Beyond at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/bones-and-beyond-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-438c4e9eef5c555ea976b1d3) — Mon, Nov 2 · 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. Bones and Beyond is a drop-in afternoon at McDowell Nature Center about what happens after death in nature. Families can come any time between noon and 3:30 p.m. to explore real…
- [Preschool Explorers Series at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/preschool-explorers-series-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-03a91e4d10bd2a4acd82fd38) — Fri, Nov 6 (+1 more date) · 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 4–6 · checked Oct 20. McDowell Nature Center's Preschool Explorers Series is a drop-off nature class for children ages 4 to 6. Each session starts with a story, then children rotate with an…
- [Bison Day at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/bison-day-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-5a4e8b2a69af56505edba609) — Sat, Nov 7 · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. McDowell Nature Center celebrates National Bison Day with a drop-in afternoon about the American bison, the United States' national mammal. Families can stop by any time between…
- [Archery 101 at McDowell Nature Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/archery-101-at-mcdowell-nature-preserve--listing-74920c2a81ac673ce9099d27) — Sat, Nov 14 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 10–13 · checked Oct 20. Archery 101 is a beginner's drop-off class for ages 10 to 13 at McDowell Nature Preserve. Participants learn basic archery terminology, practice proper form and safety with a…
- [Map & Compass at McDowell Nature Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/map-and-compass-at-mcdowell-nature-preserve--listing-7842344846e8ec0efab021c1) — Sun, Nov 15 · 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 7+ · checked Oct 20. This hands-on course at McDowell Nature Preserve teaches children ages 7 and up and their adults how to read a topographic map and use a compass, then has them test their new…
- [Turkey Trek](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/turkey-trek--listing-daf1decc73192c239ff1ac38) — Fri, Nov 20 · 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 7+ · Free · checked Oct 14. Kick off the Thanksgiving season with a 3–4 mile Turkey Trek! Get ready for a fun, scenic hike filled with fresh air, good company, and a little Thanksgiving spirit. Whether…

## Ongoing programs and visits

- [McDowell Nature Center and Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/mcdowell-nature-center-and-preserve--listing-399c6264b811a15315575a70) — Nature Center Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Nature… · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · All ages · checked Oct 14. McDowell Nature Center provides educational programs and resources at the County's oldest nature preserve. The nature center features live native animals, a discovery hall and a…

## Recently ended

- [All Things Pumpkin! at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/all-things-pumpkin-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-25cec75eb9667fa7c0da68fa) — ended Sat, Oct 24
- [Nature at Night Festival at McDowell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/nature-at-night-festival-at-mcdowell-nature-center--listing-79d0ec3da99da8b81aafef1b) — ended Sat, Oct 17

## Nearby

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