Nature ideas for kids

[Anonymous]

I'm doing some research into great outdoor areas to take kids for free -- for hiking, picnics, etc. -- more than just playgrounds in the city. Any places you would recommend in the DC/ MD area?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend Wheaton Regional Park/Brookside Gardens - the two parks are connected (a nice paved path through woods) and have everything a kid could want: the Wheaton side has a huge playground, carousel ($), train ($), and picnic areas, while the Brookside Gardens side has pretty flowers, a big pond with stepping stone paths and a gazebo, plus a greenhouse (especially cool when they have the butterfly exhibit). I think there are horse stables nearby as well.

Other places we like:

- National Zoo
- Great Falls - both MD and VA sides have hiking paths and picnic areas - I think there's a fee to park though
- National Arboretum - may be boring for little kids, though mine liked the bonsai garden

[Anonymous]

Fairfax County has several very nice nature centers and public gardens that are interactive and educational. You can go on your own, sign up for a class, activity, "exploration", etc. Depending on your child's age, you can get as little (just looking) or a lot (ask a naturalist). Best part -it's free. Check out their website all the locations and highlights.

[Anonymous]

very close to DC is River Farm. Before Mt. Vernon, which is another great place. Buddy Ford Nature Center. all great places to be outside with your children. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

potomac overlook regional park ( http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/potomacoverlook/
in arlington- just over chain bridge from dc.
It is great the nature center is chock full-- animals (injured ones from the wild, taxidermy, specimens, charts, microscope slides, all sorts of great stuff. Its old fashioned--no computer interactive - real hands on. Not flashy.
the grounds are lovely for hiking too. Also have rescued raptors/owls in an outside area.
We have had 2 birthday parties there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I highly recommend Wheaton Regional Park/Brookside Gardens - the two parks are connected (a nice paved path through woods) and have everything a kid could want: the Wheaton side has a huge playground, carousel ($), train ($), and picnic areas, while the Brookside Gardens side has pretty flowers, a big pond with stepping stone paths and a gazebo, plus a greenhouse (especially cool when they have the butterfly exhibit). I think there are horse stables nearby as well.

Other places we like:

- National Zoo
- Great Falls - both MD and VA sides have hiking paths and picnic areas - I think there's a fee to park though
- National Arboretum - may be boring for little kids, though mine liked the bonsai garden

Don't forget Brookside Nature Center, just past one of the entrances to Brookside Gardens. It has a nice toddler room, some small animals -- snakes, turtle, toad etc. We also go to Meadowside Nature Center which has some raptors including an unreleasable bald eagle and an indoor stream setup with a "cave" for kids to climb through. Both are free.

[Anonymous]

National Arboretum, Franciscan Monastery has beautiful gardens to walk around and picnic, National Mall