Spring is here and it is a great time to enjoy events outdoors at beautiful locations across Long Island like , Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. “Sweetbriar Nature Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife while providing engaging educational programs that foster a deeper appreciation for nature.” When you and your family atend these wildlife events, you directly support their mission of providing care for animals in need and continue offering valuable environmental education to the community. We love visiting and we now you will , too.
Superheroes of the Sky
Date: March 14, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
All ages welcome
Details & Registration:
$10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Event Description: Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks, and many more.
Sunday Funday: Ssssensational Ssssnakes
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Families with ages 5y +
Details & Registration: $15/child and $5 for adults
Event Description: Slither on over to Sweetbriar to see a selection of several ssssensational serpents. Participants will meet several snakes and learn about their unique adaptations through games and other participatory activities. Create a cool snake craft to take home.
Spring Festival and Egg Hunt
Date: April 4th, 2026
All ages and Families
Details & Registration: $20.00 for Children 5y & up & Toddler 2y-4y (Includes egg hunt 2y- 14y) $5.00 for Adults
Price at the Door: $25.00 for Children 5y & up & Toddler 2y-4y (Includes egg hunt 2y-14y) $5.00 for Adults
Event Description: Join us for a day of springtime fun at Sweetbriar Nature Center! This family-friendly event features exciting musical entertainment by Lena and the Happy Clam Band in addition to games, animal presentations, crafts, whisker face painting, and an egg hunt. A separate egg hunt is available for ages 2-4 with parental assistance, and the Easter Bunny will be available for photos.
Wildlife Wonders: Clever Creatures
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Ages 2y- 5y)
For children ages 2-5y
Details & Registration: $25 per child with an adult
Event Description: Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Spring Discovery Days Drop-off Day Program
Dates: April 6, 2026 – April 10, 2026 Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Best for Ages: 7y-11y
Details & Registration: $110/Day or $375/Week for members $120/Day or $425/Week for Non-members
Event Description: Once again, Sweetbriar Nature Center will be offering daily natural science programs over the school breaks for elementary school children from 9:00am-3:00pm. Each day will be a different natural science theme. Each day is chock-filled with fun hands-on activities, interaction with our animal residents, crafts, games, and much more. Parents can register their child/children for one day, two days, three days, four days, or the entire week.
First Steps into Nature (Ages 2y-5y)
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026 Time: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Details & Registration: $20 per Child with Adult
Event Description: Children enjoy nature exploration with hands-on activities, live animals, and crafts. Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children.
Superheroes of the Sky
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Details & Registration: $10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Event Description: Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about Bald Eagle, Turkey Vultures, owls, hawks, and more.
Sunday Funday: Earth Day is Every Day
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Details & Registration: $15/child and $5 for adults
Event Description: Learn about local animals, make a green craft, and discover ways to celebrate and protect the Earth every day. Children will meet resident animals, enjoy nature through their senses, and go on a scavenger hunt.
Wildlife Wonders: Spring Has Sprung (Ages 2y-5y)
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Details & Registration: Please visit website for program pricing and registration information.
Event Description: Hands-on activities and live animals help explore how nature responds to spring.
Sunday Funday: Baby Shower for Wildlife
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Details & Registration: Please visit website for program pricing and registration information.
Event Description: Help celebrate the wild babies and learn how we care for wildlife at Sweetbriar. Participants will enjoy nature activities and animal introductions.
Superheroes of the Sky
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Details & Registration: $10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Event Description: Join Jim for a birds of prey feeding and presentation to learn about their amazing adaptations.
Wildlife Wonders: Interesting Insects (Ages 2y-5y)
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Details & Registration: Please visit website for program pricing and registration information.
Event Description: Explore the world of insects with hands-on activities and live creatures.
Turtle Walk
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Best for Ages: Families and adults
Details & Registration: Please visit website for program pricing and registration information.
Event Description: Learn about turtles and help search for them with Sweetbriar staff during this early morning nature walk.
Sweetbriar Nature Center is located at:
62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown NY 11787
