River Bend Nature Center Wichita Falls Texas

It's easy to overlook smaller attractions in outlying cities for fear that there will not be enough of a wow factor for the kids.  However, these locations often have unique resources and distinctive experiences.  This was certainly the case when we visited the River Bend Nature Center in Wichita Falls, TX.

Because the center is not often crowded, the employees were excited to see our big group walk in the door.  To be honest, it's rare that venue that greets my parade of little boys with such enthusiasm, so I was delighted.  The employees were so eager to make our time at the center the best it could be, that we quickly adopted our own personal tour guide.  With his limitless knowledge, we were able to have a one of kind tour.

Our first stop was in the Exhibit Hall that housed a wide variety of hands on exhibits and native creatures.  Our tour guide, Kevin was happy to open all the cages and show us any creature that did not bite, and even some that did.   With each creature, he peppered us with fascinating facts and answered all our questions.  Did you know that stick bugs sway side to side to mimic the movement of a stick?

Next to the exhibit hall, we spent some quiet time in the library.  I applaud the creativity and care that went into the design of this room to make it inviting for play and exploration.  The toadstool table and chairs were just so cute that I wanted to take them home.  I have no place to put them, but I want them. The kids dove right into puppet play and the craft table and then moved on to the microscopes and books.  It was a perfect quiet and cool respite before we continued.

When we moved on to the conservatory, I thought we would be saying goodbye to our guide, but he happily followed us.  We stopped first in the butterfly house and explored the butterflies.  We noticed a butterfly emerging from the wall of chrysalises and once again our private tour guide talked us through the process, adding useful information as he taught.  The turtle tank was our last stop, where we were able to meet the turtles face to face.  Turtles, we learned, can feel through their shells.  These particular turtles liked to be scratched on the belly.

We were so busy meeting all the animals that we almost missed the stations that had been placed throughout the conservatory.  Just before we left, we took some time to decorate a clay pot and plant a native plant as a souvenir.  If we had time, (and it wasn't 105 degrees) we could have explored the nature trails and children's garden outside.  Even despite the heat, I think Kevin would have been happy to join us in the garden and teach us even more.