HAYS, Kan. -- To help kids beat the winter doldrums and escape cabin fever, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, a branch of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History, will host winter programs for kids.

One-hour programs, developed for children as young as 5 and as old as sixth grade, will be presented from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 13, 20 and 27. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Programs will include activities, games, crafts and stories. Because the programs consist of hands-on learning, children are asked to wear old clothes and old shoes. All sessions are free but donations for supplies are welcomed.

The "Let It Snow" program will kick things off on Feb. 13. In this workshop, children will discover the wonders of snow by comparing snowflakes to see the differences, and they will have the opportunity to make their own snowflakes. Registration for this presentation is Feb. 8.

On Feb. 20, participants will learn to identify the hardy birds that stay through the Kansas winter and their unique songs in the "Snow Birds" program. In honor of National Bird Feeding Month, children will make their own bird feeders. Registration is due on Feb. 15.

"Making Tracks" will teach children how to identify animals by their tracks, which is often the only way to tell if an animal has been present. For their crafts, they will make track banners. This program will be on Feb. 27. Registration is due on Feb. 22.

To pre-register, call KWEC at (620)786-7456 or toll free at (877)243-9268. For more information, contact Curtis J. Wolf at cjwolf@fhsu.edu.

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