Lethbridge’s Helen Schuler Nature Centre offers families the ultimate adventure on Family Day February 16.
Not only will the Centre have activity stations for families in the Community Room, it will also feature regular exhibits for families to experience.
Program Leader Taylor Hecker says the exhibits will be featured at the Centre for the next few months, including one about play and one entitled, Wild Neighbours.
According to Hecker, the play exhibit talks about the importance of play and has five unique play stations that engage different aspects of play. The exhibit runs until March 25.
“There’s a dress-up station, a building station, an art station and there’s one that’s more physical games. It’s a nice little play space for a lot of different ages,” he explains.
In the Main Gallery, Wild Neighbours showcases the animals that live in Lethbridge’s urban area, and runs until the fall.
“There’s also some aspects of play in there because there’s puppets in that little tree area people can hide in and play with the puppets. There’s some games in the exhibit, as well. Just interacting with wildlife in the urban setting,” he adds.
Helen Schuler also features an animal tracking activity outdoors on the trail, which runs until March 24. “There will probably be some fresh tracks out there. There’s some activities out on the trail if people want to get outside,” Hecker notes.
Hecker says the really important thing about play is it’s so important for developing brains of all ages, and not just for kids.
“I think a lot of adults could benefit from playing, as well. Getting the whole family out and engaging everybody in play is healthy for mental health and for keeping your brain and body sharp,” he points out.
Getting outside and appreciating the city’s natural spaces is a wonderful idea for Family Day. Hecker says the nature reserve is a great resource located in the middle of the city.
“I think it’s a great thing for people to come down and explore and get to know the nature in our city,” he adds.
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is open on Family Day from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For more information visit online at nature.lethbridge.ca.
