VISITING WITH CHILDREN

Designed for the Curious

The Wild Center was created with children in mind. From the hands-on exhibits that play music, make clouds, blow snow or mimic a walk on a bog to the live animals and boxes of activities in the sun-filled Naturalists Cabinet, the Center invites explorers. There are secret exhibits only children will see, and the general tone of everything is the opposite of don't touch.

Read this Editor's Pick Review from Family Fun magazine.

Here are some ideas to know about that are regular stops for children.

Or you can let this young visitor show you what he likes in this one minute movie.

Animal encounters - Every day naturalists bring animals into the Big Wolf Great Hall. Ravens, porcupines, snakes and others come out with their handlers for these small sessions.

The Pines - Set off the Oxbow Overlooks trail, this is a new kind of play area. A tipped up tree, piles of sticks, and log drums all fill a clearing in the woods that Huck Finn might recognize. It's just a chance to play away from a manufactured place. There's a nearby area for adults to sit. The Pines was dedicated in 2009 by Richard Louv, the leader of the national movement to reconnect children to nature.

Naturalists Cabinet - Off the Hall of the Adirondacks, this large sunlit room overlooks the pond. It's filled with drawers and boxes that are there for the opening. Plenty of seats and tables.

Karamazov Theater - In the Find out Forest, this Theater shows the famed troupe juggle their way through the Adirondacks. Everything from the water cycle to bear population gets tossed around in a memorably funny way.

Trails - In winter there are free snowshoes with each admission, including children's shoes. During the rest of the year the trails are a nice place to take children for a walk in the woods. The longest trail leads down to a marsh on the Raquette River.

The Otters - No need to map their location, children will find the river otters at Otter Falls on their own. Be sure to let them find the underground pop-up window in the Otter exhibit. It's to the right of the falls. Children can climb under the exhibit and then stand up for a special close up look.

Junior Naturalist Program - Act, draw, explore and more as you complete activities around the Center to earn your Junior Naturalist Patch. Booklets are available upon arrival and can be used by families to take a closer look as they learn more about the Adirondacks and its inhabitants. Upon completion of the booklet patches are available for $1.00.