We recently adventured out to Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, MN. This was actually only a 15 minute drive from our neighborhood but had never known of it until recently. Westwood is a 160-acres natural area featuring marsh, woods and restored prairie. We packed a picnic lunch and decided to give one of their “Nature for the Very Young” programs a try, the theme being “May Flowers”. After parking and walking up a trail through the trees and past a beautiful rock pond (with baby goslings and mama) we found the nature center. When we arrived they had various activities such as coloring sheets, puzzles, and a sensory table and gave us some time to explore. The girls were most interested in the drawers of real insect collections and the aquariums holding local snakes, turtles, and frogs. Soon it was time for the puppet show to begin as we were called over and introduced to the Naturalist Mister Mark. We were treated with a wonderful puppet show including many of the local plants that were starting to wake up from Spring. We learned about poison ivy and “leaves of three” as well as which plants the deer does (and does not!) like to eat.

After a quick break we were headed out on a scavenger hunt to find and identify different types of plants. We were held up by the mama goose and her goslings making the trip from the rock pond down to the lake.

As we traveled along the trails we passed the nature’s center “hive house” and observed the bees flying in and out of their hive. One of our friends especially enjoyed watching them inside of the hive from the plexiglass window.

We continued along, identifying stinging nettles, raspberries, ferns, and mushrooms. Soon we came to a wooden bridge that crossed one of the ponds. As the children waited and watched, we saw two ducks as well as a turtle. It never ceases to amaze me how quiet and patient preschoolers can be in nature!

After looping back up to the nature center we enjoyed a picnic lunch in their “treehouse overlook” then decided to go check out the natural playground we had seen down by the parking lot. In addition to a forest themed play structure they had loose materials and supports for fort building, sand and digging areas, and a huge boulder like climbing structure. They spent the most time climbing, working on gross motor skills, coordination, risk-taking, and even a little teamwork! On our way back to the car a birdwatcher pointed out a large nest and we each got a turn looking through the binoculars. What a wonderful morning!

The girls loved our morning at Westwood Hills Nature Center, I sure it will be a place we go to often in the future. Their facilities, programs, and accessibility were fantastic and their land and wildlife is so abundant and varied. Definitely a treasure and a retreat from the busy cities that surround it!

Until next time,

See you OUTSIDE!