Field Trip: Tacoma Nature Center’s Private Family Experiences

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Kids inspect the tree canopy with their Tacoma Nature Center guide on the Family Nature Experience. Credit: Devon Hammer

The good news, a lot of kiddos are back to full-time, in-person school this year. The bad news, school field trips have yet to make a comeback. Just one more thing to add to the list of collateral damage due to the pandemic. Field trips have long been an integral part of hands-on learning and our kids are missing out.

Tacoma Nature Center's private field-trip experiences are the perfect antidote to pandemic schooling. Whether your kids are back to in-person school, learning virtually or doing homeschool, Turtle Time and the Family Nature Experience will help reignite some of the magic and fun of learning.

We had the opportunity to check out both programs last year during our struggles with virtual school and these outings were just what we needed. The kids learned a lot and we all had fun doing it.

Also, important to note, after a very long closure due to COVID precautions, Tacoma Nature Center's Interpretive Center is now open to visitors — and admission is free! Kids love the interactive and informative displays that highlight the awesomeness of the natural environment around the center. Pair a visit with a walk on the trails or a romp at the nature-themed Discovery Pond play area, and you've got yourself a DIY field trip.

But if you'd like something more structured and led by a TNC expert, we highly recommend the COVID-friendly private programs, Turtle Time and/or the Family Nature Experience.

Tacoma Nature Center

Tacoma Nature Center is a nature preserve run by Metro Parks Tacoma. The facility includes a learning center, a trail system, a lake and a play area. This spot has been an outing on my “need-to-go” list for quite a while, knowing my kids would love the nature-themed Discovery Pond play area.

Pre-pandemic, TNC offered all sorts of fun nature-based events and programs. Like so many organizations, the staff have responded creatively and introduced two new private family experiences. These programs aim to serve area families and comply with current restrictions designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Kids inspect a log pile at Tacoma Nature Center family nature walk private guided experience — Looking for critters under a log pile at Tacoma Nature Center. Credit: Devon Hammer

My kids and I attended both programs, Family Nature Experience and Turtle Time. We did them back-to-back, which I'd recommend. There is a discount for booking the two programs together.

Nature walk experience

Along with another mom in our pod and our crew of kids, ages 2–5, we showed up excited to learn at Tacoma Nature Center at our appointment time. All wearing our masks, of course, we began by meeting our educator, Lauren, who read us a story about the animals we hoped to encounter on our walk. (For us this was indoors, but for future bookings, this part may take place outside.)

Kids holding field guides on the trail at Tacoma Nature Center guided family nature experience — Kids hold their field guides and inspect a trail find with our guide. Credit: Devon Hammer

Then, armed with laminated field guides, one of which was ours to keep, we set off toward Snake Lake, hoping to see or hear all the animals listed on the cards.

We rolled over logs, stopped to listen to sounds, looked up in the trees and checked out plants and organisms we may not have otherwise noticed. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered any questions — even tougher ones posed by the moms.

Our guide also brought lots of fun and energy. Our kids loved her awesome trail games. These games helped keep our group of young kids engaged the whole time. (I also noted them for use on future hikes!) The highlight for everyone was spotting a wild turtle in the pond. Lucky us.

kids spotting a turtle on a nature walk at Tacoma Nature Center fall 2020 private family experience — The kids spot a turtle resting on a log at Tacoma Nature Center. Credit: Devon Hammer

Discovery Pond play area

We made sure to save time to explore TNC's Discovery Pond natural play area, and the kids absolutely loved it. I found the natural elements of the play area to be unique among the playgrounds on our usual route, typically featuring large plastic climbing structures. Those are good, too, but Discovery Pond presents a refreshing alternative.

Kids can climb on logs, crawl through a hollowed-out tree tunnel, cross a pond and more.

boy running through a log tunnel at Tacoma Nature Center Discovery Pond play area — Fun times at Tacoma Nature Center's Discovery Pond play area. Credit: Devon Hammer

Turtle Time

After a snack break, we got to meet Ella the Box turtle, a Tacoma Nature Center resident. We watched her eat a snack and try to crawl away, and we all had a chance to give her a pet. This was a huge highlight for everyone in our group!

little boy wearing a mask reaching out to touch a little

We also got to meet and feed the small resident animals of the Nature Center. It was a real behind-the-scenes moment and the kids were delighted to help care for the animals. We ended the program with a fun turtle-themed craft the kids got to take home.

The bottom line

I was thrilled with both programs and so was my mom friend who accompanied us. We have plans to go back to the Nature Center soon. Each program ran for about an hour.

At our booking, the staff asked the ages of our kids and I found the material and pace of activities to be well-suited to our age group. COVID precautions in place were thorough and we felt very safe the whole time.

Our guide blew us away with her exuberance for teaching and her ability to keep all the kids engaged. It was so encouraging, to watch my kindergartener light up when engaging with a real-live teacher.

I left feeling so grateful for the experience and I hope more places follow Tacoma Nature Center’s lead and offer similar types of hands-on learning programs. Our kids need this now.

If you go...

Find it: Tacoma Nature Center is located at 1919 S. Tyler St. in Tacoma. On the grounds, you'll find the Tacoma Nature Center building (now reopened), Discovery Pond play area, Snake Lake and two miles of nature trails.

Hours: You need to book the Family Nature Experience and Turtle Time at least a week ahead of time — and, before booking, contact TNC staff by phone at 253-404-3930. Available times are Monday–Friday at 2, 3 or 4 p.m., plus Some Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

Cost: $35 for up to six people (max.) for each experience; discount available for TNC members. $60 for the two programs booked together.

Group size: Maximum group size is six people from the same family or pod.

Safety protocols: Masks are required for the duration of the program. Temperatures are taken upon arrival, hand sanitizer is readily available and your info will be taken for potential contact tracing, if needed. (And it's worth noting that protocols could change again.)

Parking: There is a large lot directly outside of the Tacoma Nature Center building and playground.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available when the Interpretive Center building is open.

What to bring: Pack a water bottle and a snack for younger kids and dress for the weather.

More ways to visit Tacoma Nature Center:

The Interpretive Center is now open to visitors after a long closure due to the pandemic. Visit for free, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Discovery Pond's natural play area is open to the public daily, 9:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.
The trail system is open to the public daily, 8 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset. Download a cool trail guide that includes three different self-guided tours.
There is also an Agents of Discovery mission available to play at TNC — it's free!

Editor's note: This article was first published in 2020 and updated for 2021.