Prospect Park's watercourse is entirely artificial and yet full of living things, and Pop Up Audubon is the station where the Alliance's naturalists scoop some of it into a tray and hand a child a magnifying glass. There is no lecture and no sign-up: you arrive, you look at what is wriggling, a naturalist tells you what it is. If you have a curious six-year-old and four free hours on a weekend afternoon, this is a better use of them than another playground.
What to expect
A staffed station at Lakeside with collection trays, magnifying glasses and Prospect Park Alliance naturalists on hand. Children examine aquatic invertebrates and other lake life while staff explain what they are looking at. Drop-in format across the afternoon, so you can stay ten minutes or an hour.
Good to know
- Free and drop-in — no registration required
- The B/Q to Prospect Park then a walk down to the Lakeside end of the park
- Best for primary-school-age children, with adults staying alongside
- Runs across the afternoon, so there is no need to arrive at the start
- Outdoors by the water; bring sun cover on a bright day
- Lakeside has bathrooms and a cafe, which matters with small kids
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Common questions
Do I need to register?
No. Pop Up Audubon is drop-in and free.
What will children actually see?
Aquatic life from the park's lake and streams, examined with magnifying glasses alongside Prospect Park Alliance naturalists.
What ages is it for?
It works best for primary-school-age children, accompanied by an adult.
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