Touch tanks, nature walks, monarch tagging
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center in Wantagh offers hands-on nature programs from storytimes and touch tanks to citizen science activities like monarch tagging and fishing clinics. Programs mix walk-in drop-in hours with structured classes for kids and families.
Free · Indoor & outdoor · Rainy-day pick · Programs for ages 0-12+
Storytime hours are walk-in only and free; each picture book takes about 10 minutes to read aloud.
Touch tank experiences are all-ages, walk-in drop-in (no RSVP needed), and typically last about 15 minutes.
Bring your own butterfly nets for monarch tagging programs if you have them, since supplies are limited.
Most programs require RSVP and doors close 10 minutes after start time, so arrive early.
BioBlitz trail walks cover up to 1 mile on sand or pavement; dress for weather and pre-download the free iNaturalist app.