Lakeside Nature Center

Get Back to Nature

Lakeside Nature Center

4701 East Gregory Blvd.

Kansas City, MO

www.LakesideNatureCenter.org

816.513.8960



Hot Tips

• Both the nature center and the nature trail are stroller accessible. The trail is a rough surface though with gravel.
• A shaded picnic area is located next to the building.
• Hours are 9:00-4:00 Tuesday thru Saturday. Sunday operating hours are 11:00-3:00.
• The nature center is closed on Mondays.

April is the month of celebrating our earth. Learn more about your corner of the earth by visiting Lakeside Nature Center. The nature center is located near the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park and is full of wildlife sure to fascinate both young and old.

Before You Go

• Visit the nature center’s website in order to take advantage of some wonderful resources. Print off a scavenger hunt for older children.
• You can also print off our Nature scavenger hunt for younger children. Search using the words “nature center scavenger hunt.”
• Also at the nature center’s website, you’ll find printable trail maps, a bird watching list and much more. You might enjoy giving your family a preview of what types of animals they’ll see. You’ll find several links with pictures of animals that make their home at the nature center.

While You’re ThereYou will find something interesting at every turn in the nature center. Decide whether you’d like to hike or visit the nature center first. Be sure to take a trail guide with you so you can identify what you see. Inside the nature center, you’ll find bald eagles, frogs, snakes, turtles, fish, insects and much more. Don’t miss the scat display located near the restrooms. Like it or not, your family will find the exhibit fascinating. It won’t take long before you’ve checked off everything on your scavenger hunt list.

When You Get Home

Once you’re home, watch for wildlife in your neighborhood. While you probably won’t run into a tarantula (you hope), you’ll likely see many of the same things you observed at the nature center. Help your children begin their own nature study notebooks. Even young children can draw pictures of flowers, trees and butterflies. You can go a step further and attract wildlife to your backyard. Hang up a birdfeeder or grow flowers to attract butterflies. Perhaps you’ll soon have your own nature center just outside your back door.

Elizabeth Welter lives in Olathe and happily makes the drive with her children to visit such a wonderful nature center.