Community connections are made at Prairie Loft. Join in on outdoor fun for everyone!
Attending Events at
Prairie Loft
PUBLIC EVENTS TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE! When you come, please consider carpooling. Due to the nature of the site and variety of visitors, we do not allow visitors to bring dogs or other pets. By attending activities on site, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give Prairie Loft permission to use your likeness in promotional and/or educational materials.
Flatwater Music Festival
A festival of music, culture, and community. Live music, kids’ activities, workshops, food, vendors & more! $15 daily admission, kids under 5 free. Watch Facebook for updates!
Friday: 6-11pm
Saturday: 4-11pm
Harvestfest
Honoring our area’s heritage and future. Food trucks, farm animals, kids’ music, harvest goods, art vendors, nature trails & more. Fun for all ages! See Facebook for details.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Pollinator Party!
June is National Pollinator Month! Let's learn about the importance of pollination and go on a butterfly hunt!
Activities are designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Free will donation: $5 per family
The Prairie Loft Family Outdoor Club takes place 10-11:30am on the 3rd Saturday of every month, year-round.
Each month's program begins at 10:00 with free choice time, followed by story time, active outdoor exploration, art activities, and take-home projects. Activities take place both indoors and out. Please dress for the weather and expect to get a little messy.
No need to RSVP. Just come ready to learn and have fun!
Feel free to share this info and invite other families.
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Yoga in the Workshop
Yoga in the Workshop at Prairie Loft is an all-levels class. Kiddos are welcome to join and enjoy free-play outdoors and in the Pavilion during class.
Summer Kick-Off
Cancelled due to the weather.
Instead, join us at the Highland Park Farmers Market on Saturday morning from 8-noon behind the museum. We will have scavenger hunts, chalk, bubbles, and more! Sign up for camps and purchase flatwater tickets right at the Farmers Market1
Yoga in the Workshop
Yoga in the Workshop at Prairie Loft is an all-levels class. Kiddos are welcome to join and enjoy free-play outdoors and in the Pavilion during class.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Nature Treasure Hunt!
Let's go see what treasures are hiding at Prairie Loft! Will we find turkey feathers, deer bones, or heart-shaped rocks? Share time to play, explore, learn, and create art projects to take home.
Activities are designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Free will donation: $5 per family
Each month's program is from 10-11:30am with free choice time, followed by active outdoor exploration, art activities, and take-home projects.
Activities take place both indoors and out. Please dress for the weather and expect to get a little messy.
No need to RSVP. Just come ready to learn and have fun!
Feel free to share this info and invite other families.
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Give Hastings Day
Prairie Loft provides shared activities that get people to set down their screens & connect!
Our programs are for people of all ages in a uniquely beautiful farm-based local setting. We teach agriculture appreciation, outdoor education, cultural connections, and the wise use of natural resources.
We are building a program where today's Prairie Loft kids will want to bring their kids back in the future. Our mission is important. YOU make it possible!
Your generosity on Give Hastings Day supports all we do:
- Summer Camps & Field Trips
- Community Gardens
- Adult Learning Series
- Free Springfest & Harvestfest Activities
- Flatwater Music Festival
- And so much more!
Thank YOU for supporting Prairie Loft!
Springfest
A celebration for the planting season. Fun for all ages! Farm animals, wagon rides, food trucks, art vendors, take-home activities, and more. See Facebook for details.
Yoga in the Workshop
Yoga in the Workshop at Prairie Loft is an all-levels class. Kiddos are welcome to join and enjoy free-play outdoors and in the Pavilion during class.
Family Outdoor Club
Experiential activities designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
FORT Friday
No school? No problem! Join us at Prairie Loft for FORT Friday where outdoor exploration is key to a great day off of school. Learn more…
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Luck on the Loose!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Prairie Loft way. Join us for a little fresh air, a little bit of green, and a whole lot of fun!
We’ll go on a rainbow-inspired scavenger hunt, search for signs of Spring, and maybe even build a habitat for leprechauns...
Activities are designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Free-will donation: $5 per family
Each month's program begins at 10:00 with free choice time, followed by story time, active outdoor exploration, art activities, and take-home projects.
Activities take place both indoors and out. Please dress for the weather and expect to get a little messy.
No need to RSVP. Just come ready to learn and have fun!
Feel free to share this info and invite other families.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: We Love Nature!
Come show your love for the outdoors! Explore, hike with us to create "heart art" outdoors, and make a creation to take home.
Activities are designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Free-will donation: $5 per family
Each month's program begins at 10:00 with free choice time, followed by story time, active outdoor exploration, art activities, and take-home projects.
Activities take place both indoors and out. Please dress for the weather and expect to get a little messy.
No need to RSVP. Just come ready to learn and have fun!
Feel free to share this info and invite other families.
Steak & Ale Fundraiser
Join us Friday, February 6 for Steak & Ale, a fundraiser event to help support Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning.
This casual evening of philanthropy includes a delicious meal, silent and live auction to support Prairie Loft's Workshop Renewal Capital Project to enhance the mission delivery of teaching outdoor education, agricultural appreciation, cultural connections and the wise use of natural resources.
Friday, February 6th // 6:00pm
$65 per person // tickets include meal + 1 drink limited to the first 150 guests
6pm // Social Hour + Silent Auction
7pm// Supper & Program
8pm // Live Auction to benefit Prairie Loft
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Woodland Wildlife
We'll make creative projects and explore outdoors to discover signs of wildlife! Share time to play, explore, learn, and create art projects to take home.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Winter Night Hike
Experience winter nightlife at Prairie Loft! We will hike the trails and observe what animals call this space their home. There will also be activities and experiments along the route as we learn more about what happens in nature during the colder months. This event is open to anyone who would like to attend. While donations are always appreciated, there is no cost for this event, however, attendees MUST PRE-REGISTER due to limited availability.
No December Family Outdoor Club
There will be NO December Family outdoor club. Instead, sign your kiddo up for Winter WonderCamp!
Winter WonderCamp
Registration is full. Please email alli@prairieloft.org to be placed on a waitlist.
Need to do some last-minute shopping without your little helpers? Sign the kiddos up for Winter WonderCamp at Prairie Loft!
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Turkey Time!
Did you know that Prairie Loft is home to so many wild turkeys? Let’s discover more about our feathered friends and see if we can find some feathers or tracks. Share time to play, explore, learn, and create art projects to take home
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Pop Up Sky Viewing
Join us for a Pop Up Sky viewing Wednesday, Nov. 12th | 6:30-8:00pm
Looking for a peaceful place away from all the lights in town to see an incredible view of the sky tonight? Join us at Prairie Loft!
No cost, and open to anyone. No need to RSVP, just dress for the weather and bring a camera if you want!
Feel free to share this info and invite others!
Tales & Tractors
We’re merging our two favorite fall events! Join us to honor our area’s heritage and future at Tales & Tractors. Costumes & Stories, food trucks, farm animals, kids’ music, harvest goods, art vendors, nature trails & more. Fun for all ages! See Facebook for details.
Learn more about becoming an art vendor or volunteer!
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Fall Fun!
Last month’s Summer Splash theme was such a success that we are doing it again in August. This time, we are adding even more water activities! Cool off at Prairie Loft with all kinds of fun and creativity with water! Water play areas, sprinklers, watercolor art, and more. Please bring a towel and bring or wear swimwear!
Experiential activities designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
FORT Friday
No school? No problem! Join us at Prairie Loft for FORT Friday where outdoor exploration is key to a great day off of school. Learn more…
Digital Detox Day
Unplug for a day! Reconnect with what matters.
Join us for a full day of screen-free fun, movement, and mindfulness at Prairie Loft’s Digital Detox Day—a support how you can fundraiser for outdoor education and community wellness.
Event Highlights: 9am-3pm
Walk-a-Thon (Pay What You Can – fundraising encouraged!)
Breakfast + Coffee
Outdoor Games + Nature-Based Family Activities
Live Music in the Afternoon
Yoga at the Loft
Wine & Grazing Boards to close out the day
No screens, no stress—just fresh air, good food, real connection, and room to breathe.
Bring your friends, your family, your walking shoes… and leave your phone on airplane mode.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Summer Splash!
Last month’s Summer Splash theme was such a success that we are doing it again in August. This time, we are adding even more water activities! Cool off at Prairie Loft with all kinds of fun and creativity with water! Water play areas, sprinklers, watercolor art, and more. Please bring a towel and bring or wear swimwear!
Experiential activities designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Summer Splash!
Cool off at Prairie Loft with all kinds of fun and creativity with water! Water play areas, sprinklers, watercolor art, ice chalk and more. Please bring a towel and bring or wear swimwear!
Experiential activities designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Flatwater Music Festival
A festival of music, culture, and community. Live music, kids’ activities, workshops, food, vendors & more! $15 daily admission, kids under 5 free. Watch Facebook for updates!
VOLUNTEERS: Sign Up Here.
Friday: 6-11pm
Saturday: 3-11pm
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Pollinator Party!
June is National Pollinator Month! Let's learn about the importance of pollination and go on a butterfly hunt!
Experiential activities designed for kids ages 2-10 with their grownups.
Outdoor exploration, art activities, take-home projects, and more. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
$5 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
Family Outdoor Club
Theme: Raptor!
Join us for a very special Family Outdoor Club! The Raptor Conservation Alliance will be bringing out some birds to do a special program from 10-11. Then enjoy a scavenger hunt to find some raptors, make a creation, or just play outside! Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little messy!
This month, we are asking that you fill out this form so we know how many guests to expect.
$5-$10 suggested donation per family per Saturday.
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Field Trips
Explore our hands-on, active field trips for all ages and organizations. Take lessons back that easily translate in the classroom or office.
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Community Events
Creating fun family experiences through nature and agriculture deepens community connections.
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Summer Camps
Campers learn, explore, and bond while having fun! Sessions range from 1-day to 4-day and even evening camps! REGISTRATION OPENS IN MARCH.
Get Involved
Prairie Loft offers unique and exceptional education programs that connect people, food, and the land. From field trips and community events to workshops, summer camps, and private gatherings Prairie Loft takes learning outside!
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Sign Up for A Program
Interested in hands-on and active programs for your group or organization? Prairie Loft serves schools, summer programs, home school groups, daycares, adult learning associations, senior centers and more!
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Volunteer
Would you like to contribute your time and talent to Prairie Loft’s mission? Are you part of a group looking for service learning or volunteer opportunities? We’d love to talk with you!
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Donate
Prairie Loft is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. By supporting our mission, you’re ensuring people of all ages have access to outdoor and agricultural learning opportunities.