There might be some rain showers on Saturday so Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville will make a perfect place to explore since your family can enjoy activities both inside and out.
Inside the nature center the exhibits are in three distinct groupings.
Legacy of the Land gives kids the chance to use their senses to learn about the local environment. They will hear songbirds singing, smell local vegetation, be able to crawl through a cave and feel the fur of woodland animals.
Legacy of the People has the props, clothing and settings to let kids pretend they are pioneers and/or Native Eastern Woodland Indian children. Old time toys, a dugout canoe and a corn grinder are just a few of the things kids can play with in this exhibit.
The Curiosity Corner has books, games and puzzles that younger kids will really enjoy until they are big enough to appreciate the other exhibits.
Outside eight miles of marked nature trails surround the center.
Walk to the Pioneer Homestead where you can see what a small family farm looked like after the Civil War.
The Raptor Trail and Aviary houses birds who have been injured, rehabilitated but are unable to be released back into the wild. On Saturdays observe Meadowside’s resident raptors during their feeding time and learn some of the stories about the raptors on exhibit. These talks meet at the Raptor Walkway behind the Nature Center from 12pm -12:30pm.
Thursday evenings enjoying a naturalist-led program or movie and roasting marshmallows at the campfire ring. Register in advance; $5/child over 3 years.
Meadowside Nature Center
5100 Meadowside Lane
(located in Rock Creek Regional Park)
Rockville, Maryland 20855
301-258-4030
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/nature_centers/meadow/
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm. Admission is free except for large groups and any special programs fees.
