Fun things to do for kids in Boca Raton

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Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is located in Boca Raton, Florida at Red Reef Park, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.Twenty acres of Boca Raton's Red Reef Park include a nature center and sabal palmhammock, coastal dunes, and mangrove wetlands. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Rare and endangered species such as the manatee, the brown pelican, the osprey and sea turtles can sometimes be observed. A beautifulbutterfly garden and a boardwalk offer tranquil settings for a lovely stroll. Climb the40 foot observation tower and look out over the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal. This center aims to make visitors aware of the need to preserve and protect nature.

Gumbo Limbo is open from Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 4PM andSunday: 12PM to 4PM. They are closed on New Year's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas day. There is no charge but a “suggested ”donationof $ 3.00 per person. Their nature-themed gift shop has imaginative gifts. 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton 561-338-1473 gumbo@gumbolimbo.org.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Wakodahatchee Wetlands was constructed by Palm Beach County Water UtilitiesDepartment on 56 acres into a thriving wetlands habitat. Approximately two million gallons per day of highly treated reclaimed water is used to maintain this wetlands habitat, in a park-like setting. The name is derived from a Seminole Indianphrase meaning "created waters."

"The Wakodahatchee Wetlands have attracted an abundant variety of wildlife, including turtles, frogs, otters, alligators and more than 150 different species of birds. There is a three-quarter mile boardwalk that winds through three of the wetland's ponds, allowing visitors the opportunity to read interpretive signs and learn about water purification, wetlands ecology, natural history and the interdependence of people and their environment. The existing pond berms have been planted with nativeplants using natural landscaping techniques to provide extensive planted buffers, which eliminate views from the top of the berms into the adjacent neighborhoods.The constructed wetlands benefit the community in a variety of ways, combiningthe seemingly unrelated functions of water treatment, wildlife habitat and recreation into a wetland ecosystem that is fully accessible to the public. Environmentally, it detains storm waters, protecting downstream areas from flooding. It naturallypurifies waters containing nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, withoutusing fossil-fuel energies or producing sludge." (From the Wakodahatchee Wetlands Web page and the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department brochure).

Wakodahatchee Wetland is located in Delray Beach, Florida, on the east side of Jog Road, between Woolbright Road and Atlantic Avenue. The wetland is open tothe general public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Tours of Wakodahatchee Wetland are conducted on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:00 A.M., and on the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00P.M., during winter months. The tour lasts approximately one hour, and the tour group size is limited to 20. Space on the tour must be reserved in advance. For reservations or questions about the wetland, please phone (561) 641-3429.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is locatedtwo miles south of Boynton Beach Boulevard, off U.S. 441. It is one of 538 refuges in the National Wildlife system. There are many activities to enjoy and lots of wildlife and nature to see. The refuge was established in 1951. In total, the refuge includes over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, and is home to the American alligator and as many as 257 species of birds may use the refuge's wetland habitats.

In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational opportunities: Walking trails, a canoe trail, bike trail, boat ramps, fishing platform, observation towers, butterfly garden, and a visitor center.

There is a 400 acre cypress swamp. A boardwalk into the swamp even gives the visitor a chance for an up-close swamp experience, without any danger.Daily Schedule: Refuge opens at 5:00 A.M. and closes at 6:00 P.M.Visitors Center: Open Wed - Fri 9:00 - 4:00; Sat and Sun 9:00 to 4:30.Golden Age Passport gives you free admission.$5.00 per vehicle.

The Learning Center Preschool
Center For Early Childhood Education