Nature Walks, Critters & Crafts—Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes Has It All for Kids!
Address: 7701 Main St, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
About the Wargo Nature Center
If you’re looking for a magical spot to play, learn, and explore with your kids, Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes is a must! Designed with families and nature lovers in mind, this colorful, interactive nature center offers indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
The Wargo Nature Center is bursting with interactive activities and features thoughtful, family-friendly touches. You can also expect clean bathrooms, stroller-friendly paths, and free parking. It’s a great Minnesota spot for a weekday outing, a weekend adventure, or just a few hours of screen-free family time.
Whether your child loves climbing, crawling, building, or hiking, Wargo Nature Center promises a day full of discovery, laughter, and memories. Pack a snack, bring a change of clothes (for muddy play!), and get ready to watch your little one’s imagination bloom!
Indoor Activities at Wargo Nature Center
Start your adventure inside, where the 18-foot indoor Maple Tree steals the show! Little climbers will love getting a tree-top view while learning about bird migration and forest life. Talk about a BIG way to kick off a fun day together!
The Sapling Room is another indoor gem with hands-on exhibits for little naturalists! Then, kids can create landscapes and rivers with their hands at the AR Sandbox! Finally, don’t miss the adorable animal friends like Flash, the Three-toed Box Turtle, and a majestic Barred Owl. Both creatures call Wargo Nature Center home and offer a close-up chance for kids to learn about these and other animals.
Here, everything is geared for little hands and big imaginations. Kids can pretend to be chipmunks, crawl through a beaver den, and interact with colorful, sensory-rich displays throughout the lower level. It’s where curiosity runs wild—and parents can relax knowing it’s all designed just for them!
Outdoor Adventures at Wargo Nature Center
When it’s time to head outdoors, the fun continues! The Nature Play Area features a mud kitchen a fort-building zone, not to mention a wide-open space for imaginative free play. The inclusive and accessible playground ensures that all kids can join in the adventure. Plus, families can stroll along the Story Walk trail. Along the way, they can read a seasonal story together.
Feeling adventurous? Borrow a Nature Backpack full of discovery tools to help kids learn about the world around them. Each backpack has a theme, such as birding, Junior Explorer, Nature Art, or Tracking. With older kids and teens, grab a GPS unit and try geocaching around the grounds. It’s a real-life treasure hunt that everyone in your crew will love! In winter, you can rent snowshoes or a kick-sled for snowy exploration fun (just $5 for two hours).
Nature Center Highlights
- Parking and trails are free
- Butterfly Garden
- Nature play area, mud kitchen, and story trail
- Several miles of hiking trails + a water trail to explore by canoe or kayak
- Indoor visitor center with kid-friendly exhibits
- 18-foot indoor maple tree
- GPS Units available for Geocaching
- Snowshoe and kick-sled rentals in the winter
- Several programs and events for all ages year-round
Related Article: 8 Best Nature Centers in the Twin Cities for Families – Fun in all Seasons!
Know Before You Go
- Website
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 4:30 PM (with extended hours May – MEA)
- Parking is free and widely available on-site.
- Trail map
- Accessibility Resources
- Birthday Parties
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.
