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March 29, 2017 by routeonefunlady

Check it Out: Local Fun! Patuxent Research Refuge

Patuxent Research Refuge

Me and the little lady stopped by the Patuxent Research Refuge earlier this week for one of their free Tiny Tots programs.  I was a little dismayed when I arrived and found that mine was the only car in the lot.  “Had I gotten the date wrong?” I wondered.  I immediately jumped to blaming my d@mN children.  Always interrupting momma’s mornin’ coffee intake which = not functioning properly, which = systems fail, which = dates & time and everything bungled.  Poor me.  But not really.  In fact, lucky me – because for once in my life, I had unwittingly managed to get me and my crew somewhere on time (in fact, an entire 30 minutes early).

Patuxent Research Refuge

Tiny Tots Program

Cars soon started rolling up and by the time the Tiny Tots “Nature and Music” program started, there were about 14 kiddos in attendance (ages ranging 0-4, I’d say).  The program is described as a way for “children to learn about wildlife at the refuge through fun and interactive songs and rhyming.” After gathering in a semi-circle, instructor Ms. Diana Ogilvie kicked things off with some purdy fascinating facts about birds.  For instance, did you know:

  • An eagles nest can be as much as 4-5 feet long and can weigh as much as a car?
  • Nest building is instinctual (so an orphaned chickadee raised by a welcoming family of sparrows will still build its nest just as a chikadee would do)?
  • Some birds build their nests out of stones!?!  Looking at you, Kildees!

We then were treated to a story about birds building nests and a song which involved clapping and the use of some pretty nifty rattles.

Just when I thought the program was winding down, Ms. Diana pointed to the middle of the room, where a circle had been made with blue tape.  She shared that this circle represented the size of a typical eagle’s nest and instructed the children to help build the nest using some branches and twigs that had conveniently been left by the door.  The catch: To mimic the eagles beak, they had to use large, plastic tongs to pick up and place the branches.  (Yay sensory + tactile skills!)

Roam Outdoors

Lastly, we headed outside to collect more sticks and catch some sunbeams on the Refuge on a wonderfully, sunny day.

Relatedy, even where there are no specific programs running, the Refuge is still a fun, free place to check out with the fam.  They’ve been making a real effort to appeal to the younger crowd, with a small library of board books, coloring paper, and even a “Family Adventure Cart” – perfect for the 4+ crowd – which includes:  Adventure Backpack, Scavenger Hunts, GPS Activity, Bug Kits, Field Guides, Binoculars and GPS Units.

When the spirit moves you, pack a lunch & head to the Patuxent Research Refuge to enjoy one of their many fine programs or to just stroll around outside and enjoy the great outdoors!  👊

To learn more about upcoming events at the Patuxent Research Refuge, visit here.

Patuxent Research Refuge – National Wildlife Visitors Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD 20708
Open Daily 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
CLOSED ON THURSDAYS

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  1. 10 Great Indoor Kids' Activities Along Route 1 | Route One Fun says:
    February 16, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    […] including an Adventure Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: Free! Mt. Rainier Nature Center […]

    Reply
  2. Spring Break 2017! | Route One Fun says:
    January 14, 2020 at 1:20 pm

    […] for a couple of hours.  Check out my review of the Patuxent Research Refuge and its programs here! When: 10:30-11:30am Where: National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel […]

    Reply
  3. Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide: March 15th - 17th | Route One Fun says:
    January 9, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    […] Cart” including an Adventure Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

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  4. Route 1 Kids Weekend: March 29th-31st | Route One Fun says:
    January 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    […] Cart” including an Adventure Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

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  5. Fun Spring Activities for Route 1 Kids | Route One Fun says:
    November 14, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    […] Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

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  6. Kids Weekend Guide: Nov. 1st-3rd | Route One Fun says:
    November 1, 2019 at 10:22 am

    […] on the “Family Adventure Cart,” Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. Our time here: Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

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  7. Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide: July 26th-28th | Route One Fun says:
    July 25, 2019 at 4:05 am

    […] participation and registration required, call 301-497-5887. Read our review of the wildlife refuge here! When: 10:30-11:15am Where: Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel Cost: Free!, donation greatly […]

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  8. Fun Spring Break Activities for Route 1 Kids | Route One Fun says:
    April 14, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    […] Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

    Reply
  9. Winter Break Activities for Kids in DC and Maryland | Route One Fun says:
    April 10, 2019 at 10:16 pm

    […] nature exhibits at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel (FREE). Read about our fun time at the Patuxent Research Refuge here. Since you’re in the area, why not check out the Kids Room at the beautiful Laurel Library […]

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  10. 10 Great Indoor Kids' Activities Along Route 1 this Election Day | Route One Fun says:
    April 3, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    […] including an Adventure Backpack, Scavenger Hunt, Bug Kits, Field Guides, etc. My review of Patuxent Research Refuge here! When: 9am-4:30pm Where: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel Cost: […]

    Reply
  11. Route 1 Kids Weekend Guide: February 22nd-24th - Route One Fun says:
    February 22, 2019 at 1:15 am

    […] participation & registration required. (Easy, lo-fi way to keep the kiddo occupied! Check out our time at the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge here.) When: 10:30-11:15am Where: National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel […]

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