Nature Play Days
June 1 - 9
Presented by Robert Goodman Jewelers. The goal of Zionsville Nature Play Days is to get kids outside and remind families that play is important and can happen close to home. Zionsville Parks and Recreation and its community partners offer free nature, cultural, art and recreational programs during this 10-day long event. Zionsville Nature Play Days is in partnership with Indiana Children and Nature Network.
Insect Hunt: Building Habitat for Native Bees
Sunday, June 1
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Elm Street Green
- Ages: 5+
- Registration Required
Explore the fascinating world of solitary bees through interactive, hands-on activities with Wild Ones of Greater Indianapolis. Activities encourage curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of our native pollinators. At the end of the program, we will explore what pollinators are living in the Elm Street Green prairie with our insect nets.
Dog Walk with Dolly
Monday, June 2
- 10:00 - 11:00 am
- Overley-Worman Park
Join us for a tail-wagging good time on the trail! Bring the whole family - pups included - for a guided walk with Dolly, Zionsville's beloved Town Dog and Chief Morale Officer. We'll take a leisurely loop around the trail and lake, then end at the playground for some kid-friendly fun and cool-down time. This event is great for little legs and four-legged friends. Strollers and leashes are welcome! No registration required - just show up and walk with us!
Discover Your Backyard: Mammals
Tuesday, June 3
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Starkey Nature Park
The Trailhopper is the newest mobile outreach vehicle to join the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department. Join us each month as we visit one of our local parks and discover what’s happening in our backyard with hands-on activities and adventures. Drop-in and stay as long as you’d like!
Water Play Day at Station 93
Tuesday, June 3
- 1 – 2:30 pm
- Zionsville Fire Department Station 93, 5793 S 700 E
Join the Zionsville Fire Department for a wild water day at Station 93. Dress to get wet and enjoy a variety of activities!
Park and PLAY
Wednesday, June 4
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Mulberry Fields Park
Get off your couch, get out of your house! Join the Zionsville Parks at your local park for some fun outdoor activities, sports, games and more! Drop-in and stay as long as you’d like. Each month we will PARK in one of our Zionsville parks and set up free activities so you can PLAY!
Heroes Kickball
Wednesday, June 4
- 1:00 – 2:30 pm
- Mulberry Fields Park
Join the Zionsville Fire Department and Zionsville Police Department for a memorable game of kickball! There will be activities for all ages and the Creekstomper will be on hand with yard games and activities for our littlest kickball enthusiasts.
Nature Potions
Wednesday, June 4
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm
- Overley-Worman Park
- Registration Required
Summer is the perfect time to stir up wild and whimsical nature potions! We'll collect leaves, petals, pinecones, and more to mix into magical brews. No spells required, just imagination! Get ready to stir, squish, and sprinkle your way through this messy and magical adventure.
Sirens and Suds
Thursday, June 5
- 1 – 2:30 pm
- Zionsville Fire Station 292, 998 S US 421
Join the firefighters at Station 92 and prepare to get wet as you help wash the fire truck. There’s sure to be lots of bubbles, suds and fire hoses.
Bubble Bonanza
Friday, June 6
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm
- Zionsville Nature Center
Have you ever made a gigantic bubble before? Whether you're chasing giant bubbles or creating your own bubble masterpieces, there's plenty of bubbly fun to go around. Meet us outside the Hussey Mayfield Memorial Library for a bubbly good time!
Park and PLAY
Saturday June 7
- 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Zionsville Farmer’s Market
Get off your couch, get out of your house! Join the Zionsville Parks for some fun outdoor activities, sports, games and more! Drop-in and stay as long as you’d like. This morning we will be at the Zionsville Farmer’s Market with free activities so you can PLAY!
Wetland Exploration
Saturday, June 7
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- Zion Nature Sanctuary
- Ages: 5+
- Registration Required
Put on your rubber boots and get ready for an adventure! Join us to explore the wetland to search for frogs, crayfish, fish, and all kinds of fascinating creatures. Wear clothes that can get wet, and let’s dive into the wonders of the wetlands!
Park Picnic & PLAY
Monday, June 9
- 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Lincoln Park
Bring a blanket, pack a lunch, and join us in the park for a relaxing midday adventure! Enjoy a laid-back lunch filled with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, lawn games, and open play perfect for kids of all ages. Picnic & Play is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with your amazing community. This come-andgo event is free and requires no registration - just show up, spread out, eat, and play!
Other Nature Play Day Programs
Monday, June 2
Seed Storytime on the Lawn
- 10:30 – 11:15 am
- Hussey Mayfield Memorial Public Library
- Register at HMMPL.org
Join Miss Kristin for a very special storytime on the lawn in celebration of Nature Play Days! We will read some stories about plants and trees, sing some songs, and finish up by planting seeds from the Library's Seed Library. Don't worry, you get to take your seeds home, because we will be planting the seeds in small pots you can take with you! Toddlers, preschoolers, and older siblings are all welcome, but please bring an adult!
Wednesday, June 4
Animal Yoga
- 10:30 – 11:00 am
- Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library
- Ages: 3+
- Register at HMMPL.org
Families with children are invited to join Miss Charity on the lawn for animal yoga. We'll read a story and then do some yoga -- including lots of animal poses! Participants should bring their own yoga mat or towel and meet on the lawn. In the event of inclement weather, we'll meet in the Mayfield Room.
Thursday, June 5
Discover Maplelawn Farmstead
- 9:00 – 11:00 am
- Maplelawn Farmstead
You are invited to the Maplelawn Farmstead for hands-on activities to create crafts and enjoy toys that would have been available to children in the 1930s, as well as old-fashioned games our grandparents and great-grandparents would have played when they were children.
Friday, June 6
Storywalker’s Club Event
- 10:30 – 11:15 am
- Elm Street Green, 165 N Elm Street
- Register at HMMPL.org
Join us as we present our June StoryWalk® at Elm Street Green! We will meet at the shelter at Elm Street Green for a storytime and then we will walk and read the story along the path!
Friday, June 6
Stories in the Park
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Lion’s Park
Join us for the Zionsville Lions Club, Inc. 4th annual Stories in the Park. Come celebrate the joy of reading with puppets, storytelling, crafts, reading games, poetry, a free book from Indy Book Project, and more!
Saturday, June 7
Make a Nature-Inspired Father’s Day Gift!
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- SullivanMunce Cultural Center
Celebrate Dad with a handmade gift straight from nature! Choose from two fun and creative projects:
- Rustic Twig Picture Frame – Decorate a wooden frame with twigs, leaves, shells, moss, and other natural materials. Add your own photo at home to make it extra special!
- Hand-Painted Rock Paperweight – Paint a rock with a unique design or a heartfelt message for Dad. Perfect for his desk or as a garden decoration! Get creative, explore nature, and make something meaningful for Father’s Day!