Skip to main content

Budding Explorers

Date: Sat, Sep 19, 2026

Time: 10am to Noon

Venue: JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Price: $8

Category: Community

Calling all explorers! Join us for an exciting, hands-on program where we'll dive into the world of spiders as we discover why they build so many different kinds of webs! Youth participants, accompanied by an adult, will investigate the different kinds of spider webs, make careful observations of webs in the garden, and even get to design their own spider web. You'll also get an introduction to ecoEXPLORE, an incentive-based community science program developed by The North Carolina Arboretum. By making real-world observations and completing fun challenges, youth participants can earn badges and prizes throughout the year. There is no need to have an ecoEXPLORE account prior to this program in order to participate. Program begins at the Visitor Center. Come dressed for the weather as this program will be held partly outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, activities will be moved inside.

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Community · Raleigh

Budding Explorers

“Wear closed-toe shoes to safely search the garden brush for spider webs.”

When
This Saturday
Sat, Sep 19, 2026
10am to Noon
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
$8
raleighfamily friendly

Budding Explorers is a hands-on science program at the JC Raulston Arboretum where children learn about spider web construction and participate in outdoor nature challenges. During this session, kids will observe real webs in the gardens, design their own web models, and get an introduction to the ecoEXPLORE community science program, which allows them to earn badges and prizes for outdoor observations throughout the year. What to Know: The program costs $8 per child, and an adult must accompany them for the duration of the event. Meet at the Visitor Center just before 10:00 AM, and make sure everyone wears closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate layers since a large portion of the class takes place outdoors. In case of rain, the staff will move the activities inside, so the event will run rain or shine. This is an excellent Saturday morning option because it combines structured learning with outdoor movement. It gives kids a purposeful way to explore the gardens while teaching them how to participate in real citizen science projects from home.

View on visitraleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

What age group is this program best for?
While the arboretum welcomes all young explorers, the hands-on web building and citizen science activities are best suited for elementary-aged children between 5 and 10 years old.
Where should we park and meet?
Free parking is available in the main lot at the JC Raulston Arboretum. You will meet the instructor at the Visitor Center to check in before heading into the gardens.

Last updated

$8

This Saturday

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Budding Explorers runs Sat, Sep 19, 2026, 10am to Noon.

Getting There

JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University is at 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University →

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and water bottles — this one's outdoors
  • A blanket or low chairs for staking out a spot
  • Tickets or entry money — admission is $8

Community Guides

All guides →
Family

Wake County School Meal Benefits: What Expires and Who Eats Free

Last year's free and reduced-price meal benefits do not roll over — they expire on a date set by your child's WCPSS calendar, and traditional-calendar families have until October 6, 2026. A Raleigh mom walks through all eight expiration dates, how to apply at any point in the year, the CEP sibling gap that catches families with kids at two schools, and what meals actually cost.

6 min read

Seasonal

Where to See Santa in the Triangle (2026): Confirmed Dates, Free Sightings, and What to Book Now

A local mom's honest guide to seeing Santa around Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill in 2026: the free town tree lightings and parades with confirmed dates, the train rides and light shows that sell out, mall Santa reservations, and quieter options for sensory-sensitive kids.

10 min read