8 Best Twin Cities Nature Centers for Families

Nature centers are some of the best free things you can do in Minnesota with kids! They provide hiking trails and beautiful outdoor spaces and often include playgrounds, indoor interpretive centers, educational programs, and more! If you’re looking for the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top kid-tested, parent-approved nature centers across the metro. Those seeking fun natural playgrounds in the Twin Cities can start at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield. Want to crisscross little streams, climb rocks, and embrace a little adventure play together? Then, Tamarack Nature Center is worth the trek to White Bear Lake! Indeed, whether you are looking for natural playgrounds, hiking trails, epic playgrounds, or just a fun day outside, use this guide to explore some of the best Minnesota nature centers for kids!

Eight of the Best Twin Cities Nature Centers for Families

1. Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake

Tamarack Nature Center is a 320-acre nature preserve located in White Bear Lake that is often highly ranked as one of the best Minnesota nature centers for kids! Parents drive near and far to play with their kids at the Discovery Hollow Play Area. Here, let kids loose to test their strength along the rock climbing area, play pretend in the hobbit house, and immerse themselves in a beautiful garden! There is also a shallow (ankle-deep) stream that is ideal for jumping and splashing together (bring dry clothes!).

Then, Tamarack Nature Center also offers paved and non-paved trails for hiking, biking, or skiing in the winter. You can also enjoy gorgeous views of ponds, creeks, and other scenic areas. Families with strollers will find lots of spaces to roam on paved trails.

Inside the nature building, you’ll be able to see a variety of small creatures like turtles, snakes, and honeybees. It’s also a great spot to cool off during hot summer days. Tamarack Nature Center also offers events, camps, and other programs throughout the year. Finally, there is a large on-site parking lot and restrooms inside the nature building. Parking and exploring the Tamarack Nature Center is free, but donations are appreciated.

2. Dodge Nature Center, West St. Paul

Immerse yourself in some of the Twin Cities’ most beautiful outdoor spaces at Dodge Nature Center. Located in West St. Paul, Dodge Nature Center offers 110 acres of exploring through prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. It’s a paradise for bird watchers and those hopping to spot wildlife.

While there is no indoor visitor center, plenty of fun areas exist to explore together. Families love Dodge Nature Center for its working farm with farm animals, raptor mews, and bee apiary. Resident farm animals and raptors can be viewed on the main property, but petting and feeding are prohibited. As one of the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families, there are miles of trails to be explored. Start by parking off Marie Avenue near the Raptor Mews. Then, take the Weesner Wetland Walkway to see the barn and farm animals.

Dodge Nature Center offers diverse nature programs throughout the year. You can attend a public program to learn more about their resident animals! There is no fee to park or explore Dodge Nature Center, but donations are appreciated. Restrooms are accessible in the Education Building and Main Office on weekdays during open hours.

3. Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield

Tucked along 35W in Richfield, Wood Lake Nature Center is a hidden gem in the heart of the Twin Cities metro. This 150-acre nature center features prairies, woodlands, and wetlands, all viewable along three miles of trails and boardwalks. Paths are not paved, but most are doable for strollers and wheelchairs during summer.

Wood Lake Nature Center also features several wildlife viewing areas (including a boardwalk trail that’s great for bird watching!), a picnic area and hammock station, and one of the best natural playgrounds in the Twin Cities. The playground features several fun areas, including a slide, a building area, and wooden musical instruments. Families can also check out Nature Exploration Backpacks. Several backpack themes are available to suit their interests, including birds and insects. Alternatively, with older kids, embark on one of the geocaching experiences within the nature center. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are also available for kids and adults in the winter.

Then, inside the main building, there is a cozy interpretive center, including play areas, books, and several small creatures (like snakes, turtles, and salamanders). Camps and programs are also offered throughout the year. Parking or exploring Wood Lake Nature Center is free, but donations are appreciated. Restrooms are accessible inside the main building (during open hours). With so many unique features, no wonder Wood Lake Nature Center is one of the best nature centers near Minneapolis for kids!

4. Eastman Nature Center, Dayton

Part of the Three Rivers Park District, Eastman Nature Center is a fantastic option for outdoor adventures and family fun in Dayton. The nature center is set amongst the sugar maple floodplain forest of Rush Creek – making it an excellent choice for fall foliage! Kids will love walking across the floating boardwalk, exploring miles of hiking trails, and snowshoeing in the winter months. Keep an eye out; depending on the season, you may see beautiful creatures like trumpeter swans, wild turkeys, bluebirds, and dragonflies!

Those interested in hiking will find paved, boardwalk, and unpaved trails across the grounds. Inside the nature center, there are tons of hands-on activities for kids! Kids can play dress up, put on a puppet show, and view live reptiles and amphibians. Then, rotating interpretive displays are ideal for making your visit educational. Eastman Nature Center, through the Three Rivers Park District, also offers a variety of seasonal rentals to help you enjoy long days outside, including watercraft, bicycles, and winter equipment.

As one of the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families, Eastman Nature Center offers family fun days and other programs and events throughout the year. Kids ages 9 – 12 can even enroll in their Young Birders Club. General parking areas and use of trails at all Three Rivers parks and trails are free. Some activities require permits and fees; you can find a list of those here.

5. Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria

Located in Carver Counter, Lowry Nature Center is part of the Three Rivers Park District and was the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities! Start your visit at the Nature Exploration Area. Built with kids in mind, this area encourages outdoor free play. Here, your kids can explore, dig, and create. Meanwhile, you can play along or watch from one of the many benches.

Inside the nature center building, families can learn something new through the interpretive displays, visit live animals, and observe birds in the wildlife viewing area. When you’re ready to hike, paved and unpaved trails crisscross the 250 acres, weaving in and around lakes, tamarack bogs, cattail marshes, and hardwood forests. Lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of wildlife like beaver, deer, fox, muskrats, and turkeys! Then, as one of the best Minnesota nature centers for kids, you can enhance your family hike by checking out an Explorer Backpack! Each backpack comes with tools to investigate various topics. Select a topic based on their interest, including Trees, Birds, Frogs, Insects, and Pond Exploration!

Lowry Nature Center also offers programs and events throughout the year. Like other Three Rivers Park locations, kids ages 9 – 12 can enroll in their Young Birders Club. General parking areas and use of trails at all Three Rivers parks and trails are free. Some activities require permits and fees; you can find a list of those here.

6. Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes

Are you looking for a beautiful nature center in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities? Wargo Nature Center is a fantastic option in Lino Lakes (Anoka County). Families love Wargo Nature Center for its butterfly garden, nature play area, and beautiful hiking trails. Plus, for those looking to get on the water, this nature center offers a lovely water trail to explore by canoe or kayak. Since the park is a peninsula, you’re in for some of the most beautiful lake views around!

When you’re ready to explore one of the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families, trek along the story trail with young kids. It features a fun seasonal story that will keep kids moving and engaged. There is also a mud kitchen and a fort-building area for hands-on fun. Then, inside the Visitors Center, meet Flash, the resident turtle. Afterward, explore the interpretive displays. Each one features interesting information on the area’s natural and cultural history. Then, let kids explore the indoor Maple Tree, where they can immerse themselves in the tree tops and learn about bird migration. Finally, young kids can pretend to be beavers and crawl into a play den!

Seasonally, canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, and kicksleds are also available to rent at the Visitors Center. Wargo Nature Center also offers several programs and events year-round for all ages. Bathrooms are available in the Visitor Center during open hours. Finally, parking and use of trails are free at Wargo Nature Center.

7. Twin Cities Nature Centers: Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley

Springbrook Nature Center offers three miles of trails through forests, prairies, and wetlands (along floating boardwalks) across 127 acres in the heart of Fridley. Families will discover mostly flat, woodchip trails and a few boardwalk trails here. Plus, there is a 0.3-mile paved trail. Downloadable scavenger hunts can help you explore the trails with your kids. In addition, complimentary Activity Backpacks from the Interpretive Center are available for kids.

The Interpretive Center is open year-round, making Springbrook Nature Center one of the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families for all seasons. Inside the Interpretive Center, kids can get a close look at the local residents, like snacks, toads, geckos, and turtles. Plus, there are several interactive exhibits and other activities. After exploring the indoor exhibits, head outside to explore the Nature Play Area. Encourage your kids to run, climb, build, and use their imagination in this natural playground (new updates are coming in 2024 to expand the play area)! Kids will love the suspension bridge, sandbox, balance logs, and log tunnel.

Finally, Springbrook Nature Center offers educational programs and events throughout the year for all ages. They even offer summer camps for kids! Parking and use of trails are also free here.

8. Westwood Hills Nature Center, St. Louis Park

Explore 160 acres of prairie, forest, and marsh when you visit Westwood Hills Nature Center with your kids. Here, kids will love embarking on a family adventure through the many habitats that deer, turtles, foxes, mink, and owls all call home! Three miles of hiking trails are available, including paved, boardwalk, wood-chipped, and crushed concrete surfaces. Trails are open every day, year-round. The interpretive center is open most days throughout the year, too.

Make your hike extra fun by picking up a scavenger hunt from the interpretive center’s entry! Or, borrow one of the complementary backpacks filled with nature activities, including investigation tools, books, and suggestions for art activities. Each backpack offers a unique theme your child can select based on their interest, including everything from mammals and insects to ponds and reptiles. After hiking, let kids run free at the nature playground. Kids can freely climb, play, run, and jump throughout the playground area.

Westwood Hills Nature Center is also one of the only nature centers in the area that offers all-terrain wheelchairs for free use during your visit. In the winter months, they offer snowshoes and kicksled rentals. Throughout the year, this nature center also offers fun programs, events, and camps for all ages. Finally, parking and admission to Westwood Hills Nature Center are free. Also, restrooms are available in the interpretive center.

Keep Exploring Minnesota with Kids

We hope this guide to the best nature centers in the Twin Cities for families helps you plan your next day out with kids. No matter the season, these Minnesota nature centers offer endless opportunities to jump, run, play, and make memories together. From natural playgrounds in the Twin Cities to epic outdoor-themed playgrounds and kid-friendly hiking trails, these nature centers will undoubtedly become family favorites in no time. Have fun exploring more of Minnesota with your kids!

Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam and on her website. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.