Best Spring Hikes in the Seattle Area for Kids and Families
Photo:
The playground at Tacoma Nature Center. Credit: Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Tacoma Nature Center
Visit the Tacoma Nature Center, an urban wetland preserve in the South Sound, for a chance to view wildlife and birds in all seasons.
Favorite trails: There are two and a half miles of gentle trails in the park. A 1-mile loop circles Snake Lake. If you are up for traversing more distance and a bit of elevation, take the Hillside Loop away from the lake. Kids will love the nature-themed Discovery Pond play area with its innovative structures, such as a tree house and a pond with waterfalls. Tacoma Nature Center trails are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until sunset. You can download a trail map and trail guide from the website.
Indoor options: The Tacoma Nature Center has activities and games for children if you need to take shelter from the weather. It’s open daily, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Guided family nature experiences present awesome hands-on learning for kids. You can also try the free Agents of Discovery app to guide your nature exploration around the grounds. Fun!
Extras: Tacoma Nature Center hosts a nature-based preschool, summer camps for kids ages 4–12 and opportunities for teens to gain community service experience volunteering for summer camps.
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