Small Explorers Learning Together - What's Inside a Bird's Nest?

Small Explorers Learning Together program is for families with children ages 1-5. Hundreds of families have experienced the magic of exploring the Museum in these classes and now you can too!

Class is offered twice each month, choose the 2nd Saturday or following Thursday morning, both 9:30am.

April Program: What's Inside a Bird's Nest?, Saturday, Apr. 11 or Thursday, Apr. 16

It’s spring, and that means birds arrive home from their winter grounds to nest and grow their families. We'll read "Mama Built a Little Nest" and explore the many types of nests and the materials birds find to make them. As the weather warms, look for birds and their nests to observe in your neighborhood!

Gallery Visit: Written in the Rocks: Fossil Tales of New Jersey

Fees and policies

• Age range: Children ages 12 months to 5 years. Children over 5 are not allowed. Siblings younger than 12 months can attend for free.

• Cost: Classes are $20.00 per child. Each additional sibling receives a 20% discount. Caregivers attend free.

• Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend the class please contact us to apply your purchase to another class within the 2025/2026 schedule. Tickets expire June 18, 2026.

• Fee includes all activities and craft to take home.

Each class meets in our Discovery Den play space and begins with an interactive story time. Families move together to playfully explore a gallery and end in our classroom space with thematic activity stations and include a craft to take home. Each class is 45 minutes long; the program is offered October to June.

Classes are limited to 20 children and their caregivers to foster a calm and supportive learning environment. This program is open to any family with children ages 1-5. Each month's program will be listed separately on Humanitix.

New Jersey State Museum Foundation members receive 10% off registration, contact Melissa.Mantz@sos.nj.gov for discount code.

About our Instructor for 2025/2026

Jessica Tackes joined the NJ State Museum in spring 2025 as an Education Associate. She earned her B.A. in Drawing and Art History at Illinois State University and her M.A. in Art History at American University in Washington, D.C. Having worked in education for several museums and fine arts organizations since 2019, she is excited to bring her experience and love for teaching to the Small Explorers program. She is passionate about making education accessible for everyone and hopes to inspire the next generation of young learners through her work. When she is not teaching, she is spending quality time with her husband and 2 year old daughter whose boundless energy and curiosity motivates her every day.