More free kid-friendly {indoor} fun! Located downtown Little Rock in the River Market is a beautiful nature center. A great place to learn about Arkansas wildlife.
When we were there the other day there was a huge group of kids and the workers were very laid back, very kid-oriented. If you’re like us and prefer to be more anti-social wait until school starts back and go during the school day. You’ll have it all to yourself.
It’s gorgeous to look at, but even more important with a lot of little ones, it’s very hands on.
They have fish tanks spanning the wall, separated by the region they are found in Arkansas. Just be forewarned, they are open tanks, you’ll have to remind your little ones to not touch the water – it’s just so inviting.
There’s a butterfly and bird garden you can sit and watch.
Replica rooms of old timey trappers (great for us since we’ve been reading Little House on the Prairie). With real furs they can touch. My 3 year old kept talking about how “hard” the fur of the white tail deer was (the same kind we get to see in our yard).
A rich collection of memorabilia.
I think I could decorate with their collections.
Really, there’s something about metal plates, glass bottles, and rough wooden walls that is so appealing to me.
Insider tips:
For more information you can visit their official website Witt Stephens, Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.
They are closed on Mondays. You can check out the rest of their hours on their website.
There are native Arkansas wildlife coloring books you can print for free on their website listed above as well as wildlife online links for kids.
They have free Lil’ Wild Ones: Nature Stories and Activities for 4 to 8 year olds on Wednesdays through the summer.
For parking: there is $5 all day parking just behind the market hall at the River Market. You can turn right after paying and park near the amphitheater just below the Nature Center. You can drive to the free water park on the other end of the River Market. And if you keep your ticket you can leave the parking area and come back at any time the same day for free. You can see the downtown parking maps here and see the official River Market site for more information.
