Children in Stamford were given the opportunity to get up close and personal Monday with some furry friends.

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center held one of its annual Breakout Days. Attendees met the animals who live at the center to serve as inspiration for the art classes that followed.

The children tried their hand at sketching, collages, and sculpting.

"There's a lot of overlap between art and nature, science and nature – so we love to do lots of hands-on activities with kids, " says Lisa Monachelli, with the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. "These themes just really allow them to get in, have fun and explore the things that they already love."

The next Breakout Day for the museum takes place on Election Day.