TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAY & OUTDOOR INTERPRETIVE CENTERS
Call it Vitamin G for GREEN: there is a strong connection between nature and the development and well-being of children. Get your daily serving through a rich supply of resources in the beautiful parks and natural spaces of the Twin Cities. This page highlights (jump to):
Twin Cities Nature Centers & Outdoor Interpretive Centers
Twin Cities nature-based playgrounds
Nature play ideas – at home or park-based exploration
MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL NATURE CENTERS
Carl Kroening Interpretive Center | Minneapolis
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary | Minneapolis
Como Zoo: Visitor Center, Conservatory & Ordway Gardens | St. Paul
Fort Snelling State Park Visitor Center | St Paul
(Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center)
TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO NATURE CENTERS
Coon Rapids Dam Visitor Center | Brooklyn Park
Springbrook Nature Center | Fridley
Eastman Nature Center | Maple Grove
Harriet Alexander Nature Center | Roseville
TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO NATURE CENTERS
Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood
Oakdale Nature Preserve & Discovery Center, Oakdale
Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Lake
Read more: Family Fun: Discovery Hollow at Tamarack Nature Center
Wildlife Science Center, Columbus
Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Read more: Indoor & Outdoor Fun at Twin Cities Nature Centers: NE Metro
TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO NATURE CENTERS
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings
Dodge Nature Center & Farm, West St. Paul
Read more: Indoor & Outdoor Fun at Twin Cities Nature Centers: Dodge Nature Center & Farm
Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitor Center, Eagan
TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO NATURE CENTERS
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
Eden Prairie Outdoor Center, Eden Prairie
Lowry Nature Center, Victoria
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge’s Education & Visitor Center, Bloomington
Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington
Read more: 10 Things For Kids: Richardson Nature Center & Hyland Lake Park
Westwood Hills Nature Center, St. Louis Park
Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
Read more: Indoor & Outdoor Fun at Twin Cities Nature Centers: SW Metro
TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAYGROUNDS
These green play spaces rely on natural building and climbing materials, sand and water play and a big dose of creativity! We love observing our kids interacting with the landscape and, perhaps, developing a greater appreciation for it. Here’s our quick list of Twin Cities nature playgrounds:
Read more: Get Back to Green at These Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds
BLOOMINGTON: Richardson Nature Center – Nature Exploration Area
BURNSVILLE: Terrace Oaks East Park – Nature Play
CHANHASSEN: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum – Green Play Yard
FARMINGTON: Whitetail Woods Regional Park – Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area
FRIDLEY: Springbrook Nature Center – Nature-based Play Area
LINO LAKES: Wargo Nature Center – Maple Hollow Nature Play Area
MAPLEWOOD: Maplewood Nature Center – Nature Play Yard
RICHFIELD: Wood Lake Nature Center – Richfield
VICTORIA: Lowry Nature Center – Nature Exploration Area
WHITE BEAR LAKE: Tamarack Nature Center – Discovery Hollow & Garden
MORE TWIN CITIES NATURE PLAY IDEAS
