Outdoor Learning Options for Babies and Toddlers in South Jersey

*THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED & CHECKED FOR ACCURACY JANUARY 2025. ALWAYS CALL/CHECK WEBSITES IN ADVANCE PRIOR TO VISIT IN CASE DETAILS HAVE CHANGED.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

OUTDOOR CHILD & CAREGIVER *CLASSES*

Wondertree & Me Classes: Our Wondertree & Me classes are designed to invite both children and their caregivers to engage in open-ended play prompts that develop creativity, empathy, and encourage joyful play. Each class is one hour long and includes songs and guided play prompts that follow a theme throughout the season.

Ages: Mixed aged children 15 months to 5 years old and their parent/caregiver
When? Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30am in Washington Township, Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in Moorestown, Fridays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill, Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill (this is for the Fall 2024 session, check their website for updates in 2025)
Where? Exact location of program will be shared upon registration completion or direct inquiry
Cost? $180 for the 8 week session. 20% off for siblings.
Website: Learn more here
Thoughts: I attended the Wondertree & Me classes with my son and we loved it, we loved getting outside and learning and playing in nature with wonderful teachers who really love what they do.

Child & Caregiver Classes at Star Child Nature School: Join our child & caregiver class for connection to nature, exploration, songs, friendships and discovery!

Ages: Offered for children walking through 2 1/2 years old.
When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-11am
Where? Star Child Nature School: 1717 Ark Road, Hainesport, NJ 08036
Cost? 5 week sessions are $100 per child, 10% sibling discounts are available.
Website: Click here to learn more
Thoughts: I attended the child and caregiver class when my son was 13 months old and really enjoyed it! The space they have is beautiful and it was so unique to experience an actual nature school. The class itself was slightly geared towards older toddlers, but my 13 month old still enjoyed 1 or 2 of the stations. Wear clothes you are okay with getting dirty of course!

Preschool Classes at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge: Our educators will help you and your child explore nature through wildlife encounters, crafts, experiments and outdoor adventures.

Ages: 3-5 years old
When: Our You and Me program is held once a month year-round. Classes run 10:00-11:00 am (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday) or 11:15 am-12:15 pm (Tuesday, Wednesday only)
Where? Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd., Medford, NJ 08055
Cost? Cost is $12/child with one adult free. Registration includes refuge admission for child and parent. Extra adults must pay regular admission.
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up
Thoughts: Never attended

The Growing Minds Collective with Growing Minds Enrichment: This program fosters early childhood development through interactive and sensory-rich experiences. Young learners will enjoy a dynamic blend of songs, movement activities, and content-focused stations. Each session is designed to stimulate curiosity, enhance sensory exploration, and promote cognitive and social growth in a fun and supportive environment.

Ages: Program can accommodate ages 6M to 4/5 years old depending on parental preferences. (Please note they have options for 5-12 year olds as well, listed here)
When: This program runs on Wednesdays from 10am-11:15am
Where? Whitesbog Preservation Trust, West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 (They also have another location at Ramblin' Sol Farm in Cream Ridge, NJ)
Cost? $140 for a 4-week session, check the website for each session
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up
Thoughts: We attended one of these sessions with my child who was one year old at the time. I thought they did an incredible job with various indoor and outdoor stations and tons for the kids to do, very well prepared and thought out.

Little Farmers Class at Johnson's Farm: Johnson’s Corner Farm Little Farmers Classes are a parent involved interactive class with farm themed topics and activities each week. We have added Saturday sessions to our Little Farmers Schedule. Each session will be one hour. Sessions will be four weeks long. Admission to the Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm for the parent and child participating in the class is included in the price for the day of the class only. Additional Family Members will be charged normal admission prices. We encourage you to stay and play after the class is over. This is a parent/guardian involved class and children cannot participate without an adult/guardian present. Space is limited so sign up today. Discounts will be given to Season Pass members.

Ages: We would love you and your 3-5 yr old to be a part of it!
When: Sessions are held in April, May and June and do not run over the fall/winter.
Where? Johnson's Corner Farm: 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ 08055
Cost? $150.00 per spot and a 10% discount for signing up for multiple series
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up (again, information may not be available until the Spring/summer)
Thoughts: Never attended

NATURE *PRESCHOOL* OPTIONS (WHERE CHILD IS DROPPED OFF)

Nature School for 2-10 year olds at Star Child Nature School: Embracing childhood and connecting children to the natural world.

Ages: Star Child Nature School offers a fully outdoor nature based program for children 2-10 years of age
When: Classes meet 2-5 days a week, check their website for a full schedule
Where? Star Child Nature School: 1717 Ark Road, Hainesport, NJ 08036
Cost? Inquire on website
Website: Click here to learn more
Thoughts: I have never attended the Nature School component, only the Caregiver and Me classes listed above.

Toddler Preschool at Stepping Stones Nature School: Join us on this incredible journey of discovery, as we harness the power of nature to shape the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, and inspire a generation to protect and preserve our planet for future generations.

Ages: Designed for 2.5-4 year olds (They also have options up to 3rd grade)
When: This is a year-round program offered 3, 4, or 5 days a week
Where? Stepping Stones Nature School; 400 Tuckerton Rd, Medford, NJ 08055
Cost? Contact for tuition rates
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up
Thoughts: Never attended

EcoKids Nature School at Camp Creek Run: We offer a year-round program series called EcoKids, which is designed to connect the children with the natural world. This family program is for children and their caregivers, and uses nature study, exploration, stories, and crafts to encourage an environmental sensibility and sense of wonder. Our fall and spring series occur outdoors at camp, and our winter series is held indoors in our administrative offices. Each class includes a hike on our trails weather-permitting.

Ages: Designed for children ages 3 and up (including homeschoolers)
When: This is a year-round program
Where? Camp Creek Run, 199 Taunton Lake Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053
Cost? Contact for tuition rates
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up
Thoughts: Never attended

Saplings at Fernbrook Farms: The Saplings program at Fernbrook Farms is a play-based nature program for young learners aged 3-5. The program aims to provide the roots for lifelong connection with nature and love of learning. Saplings students explore and play outdoors for much of their day, immersed in Fernbrook’s many diverse ecosystems.

Ages: Designed for 3-5 year olds (They also have options up to 3rd grade)
When: This is a year-round program offered 5 days a week part-time or full-time
Where? Fernbrook Farms, 142–150 Bordentown-Georgetown Road; Chesterfield Township, New Jersey
Cost? See full breakdown here
Website: Click here to learn more and sign up
Thoughts: Never attended

CAMDEN COUNTY

OUTDOOR CHILD & CAREGIVER *CLASSES*

Ages: Mixed aged children 15 months to 5 years old and their parent/caregiver
When? Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30am in Washington Township, Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in Moorestown, Fridays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill, Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill (this is for the Fall 2024 session, check their website for updates in 2025)
Where? Exact location of program will be shared upon registration completion or direct inquiry
Cost? $180 for the 8 week session. 20% off for siblings.
Website: Learn more here
Thoughts: I attended the Wondertree & Me classes with my son and we loved it, we loved getting outside and learning and playing in nature with wonderful teachers who really love what they do.

NATURE *PRESCHOOL* OPTIONS (WHERE CHILD IS DROPPED OFF)

Wondertree & Me Playgroup: Our Wondertree & Me Playgroup is designed to invite children to engage in open-ended play prompts that develop creativity, empathy, and encourage joyful play. This is a drop-off program where children are dropped off for 3 hours per day, 2x per week.

Ages: Designed for 18-30 month olds
When? Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9am-12pm. There are five 8-week sessions throughout the year to choose from.
Where? The program will be held in Audubon, NJ in a gated outdoor space. This is intended to be a nature-school type program where all activities take place outdoors.
Cost? Each 8 week session will cost $640 or $80 per week. That’s $13.33 per hour for scheduled programming and childcare! In order to maintain the integrity of the program, participants must sign up for the whole session. You can sign up for one session or multiple if you’d like.
Website: Learn more about Wondertree here and about this specific program here
Thoughts: My son attended the playgroup and he loved getting outside and learning and playing in nature with wonderful teachers who really love what they do.

Early Childhood Nature Program at Wondertree Play School: We joyfully offer outdoor play programs following the Tinkergarten curriculum to young learners in the Camden County area!

Ages: Drop-off nature playschool is for kids 2.75-8 years old
When? There are 5 sessions throughout the year, you can choose to join M/W, T/Th or M-Th
Where? An outdoor green space in Cherry Hill, to be shared upon enrollment
Cost? Enrollment for a 9 week session is between $600-$1400 depending on the days you want to enroll. 20% off for siblings.
Website: Learn more here
Thoughts: I have never attended the Play School as my son is not old enough, however I love Wondertree and the Nature School classes and playgroup he has participated in.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Ages: Mixed aged children 15 months to 5 years old and their parent/caregiver
When? Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30am in Washington Township, Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am in Moorestown, Fridays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill, Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am in Cherry Hill (this is for the Fall 2024 session, check their website for updates in 2025)
Where? Exact location of program will be shared upon registration completion or direct inquiry
Cost? $180 for the 8 week session. 20% off for siblings.
Website: Learn more here
Thoughts: I attended the Wondertree & Me classes with my son and we loved it, we loved getting outside and learning and playing in nature with wonderful teachers who really love what they do.

Nature Tots Program at Scotland Run Nature Center: Join us as we explore a wide variety of nature topics from snakes to plant life. These lessons are free and include a related craft. Due to limited space pre-registration is required.

Ages: The flier says "tots/young kids under 6" but my personal experience would say closer to 2.5/3 is most appropriate.
When? Lessons are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, usually 9:30am-10:30am and 11:00am-12:00pm. However, the schedule is inconsistent throughout the year, so always check their website or IG page for updates.
Where? Scotland Run Nature Center, 980 East Academy St., Clayton, NJ
Cost? FREE!
Website: Registration is required, more details here.
Thoughts: I attended this session with my 16 month old. While he was too young for the crafts and the presentation they held, he did really enjoy exploring the nature center itself as there were little exhibits with live animals. He also really enjoyed the nature walk we did after the presentation. I would go again, but just to get outside and enjoy time around other toddlers. It's not really catered to young young tots, more like 2.5/3 year olds and up.