Top 5 Things to do in Raleigh, NC with Kids – Nature Lovers

Are you and your family nature lovers, but curious about what there is to do in the area to fulfill this love while also being kid friendly? Check out my top five favorite things to do here in Raleigh, NC for all the nature lovers out there!

Prairie Ridge Ecostation

NATURE PLAYSPACE

If you’re looking for a playground that is immersed in nature, this is the perfect place to check out! Located near the North Carolina Museum of Art, and part of NC Museum of Natural Sciences, this playground houses nature-perfect items such as a gradounhog tunnel, a wooden hut, and areas to roll, dig, and just let kids be kids! Don’t forget towels and an extra pair of clothing, unless you are okay with your child wearing their mud pies home.

Tip: Check out their Nature Playdays! On these days, this playspace will have a little extra something to make it even more adventurous!

Museum of Life and Science

This place alone should have it’s own blog, but there is no nature play area list without The Museum of Life and Science! With many exhibits to choose from, this particular museum is home to the Butterfly House, a misting garden, an amazing play area called the Hideaway Woods, a 2-acre area with treehouses and flowing steambed, and much much more! Plan for more than one visit, because it’s almost nearly impossible to fit everything into one day!

Tip: Check out their Events ahead of time, sometimes they put on special events for the day that your kids may love!

1870 Farm

Located in Chapel Hill, this is the perfect place for animal lovers! Visit the farm, and their farm animals (which includes chickens, sheep, goats, ponies, donkeys, pigs, bunnies, alpacas and llamas!), on a self-guided tour. Don’t forget your fishing poles, because they also have a beautiful fishing pond to enjoy!

 

Reserve your group session online (not available during summers)!

Bonus: Check out their kid summer camps for ages 3 and up!

Historic Yates Mill County Park

If you’re looking to get the kids a slight change of scenery, definitely check out Historic Yates Mill! The Millpond trail is a great easy-moderate 1-mile trail around the lake, and along the way is the star of the show: The mill! You get access to the dam, watching the wall fall into the stream below. Kids can spend so much time enthralled by this space.

On the other side of the trail is the boardwalk, perfect for some more fishing time!

 

Tip: Check out The Howling Cow Creamery across the park as an after-adventure treat!

 

Lake Johnson Park

Looking for some water activities in the bunch? Check out Lake Johnson! Not only do they allow for personal boat launches, but they have boat rentals as well during the summer (kayaks and paddleboards). In addition, they have walking trails, hammock posts, and wildlife viewing areas scattered throughout the park.

 

In summary –

These are just five of the many things to do here in Raleigh! I hope you and your family love exploring these places as much as my family does! While you’re here, check out my other post on 3 Raleigh Toy Stores With Excellent Learning Activities for Kids!