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Check Out an Adventure Pack on your next visit!
Visiting River Bend with junior naturalists in tow? Borrow our brand new adventure bags! These backpacks and more information about our park are available to borrow at the front desk inside the Interpretive Center and are filled with tools for your junior naturalist to explore the beautiful ecosystems here at River Bend.
Playing in the Prairie Pack
Interested in discovering our native tall grass prairie? Borrow our Playing in the Prairie backpack with sweep nets and bug jars for finding creepy crawly friends.
Hip-Hop to Turtle Pond Pack
Want to splish splash in the pond? Borrow our "Hip Hop to Turtle Pond" backpack to catch macroinvertebrates and learn more about their life cycles.
Little Sprouts!
Little Sprouts is a parent/child class for children birth through 5 years old. There are planned educational exploration activities with a different theme each week. Dress for the weather, as most of the class will be outside.
Classes are held on Mondays 9:30-11:00 am and 5:00-6:30 pm with pop-up Saturdays 10:30-12:00 pm.
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free
Monday, November 17, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Clouds & Weather: As the seasons change from fall to winter, clouds gather and the winds shift. Join us and learn about clouds and different forms of weather. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Saturday, November 22, 10:30am-12pm
Clouds & Weather: As the seasons change from fall to winter, clouds gather and the winds shift. Join us and learn about clouds and different forms of weather. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Monday, December 1, 9:30am-11am
MN Animals: Many animals migrate to MN during the summer, but who sticks around during the winter? Come learn about the animals that call MN home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Monday, December 1, 5:00pm-6:30pm
MN Animals: Many animals migrate to MN during the summer, but who sticks around during the winter? Come learn about the animals that call MN home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Monday, December 15, 9:30am-11am
Snow Fun: A big part of winter is snow! Snow comes in many forms and can be fun to play in. Let's explore how much fun snow can be. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Monday, December 15, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Snow Fun: A big part of winter is snow! Snow comes in many forms and can be fun to play in. Let's explore how much fun snow can be. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Monday, January 5, 9:30am-11am
Animal Tracks: The snow can show us who's been where. We all leave tracks and signs in the snow. What animals will you find at River Bend?
Monday, January 19, 9:30am-11am
Icy Weather: Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter?
Saturday, January 31, 10:00am-11:30am
Icy Weather: Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter?
Monday, February 2, 9:30am-11am
Rocks Rock: Rocks rock because they come in so many different types of colors, textures and can be dull or crystals! Come and explore how fascinating rocks can be! Dress for the weather, as most of the course will be outside.
Monday, February 16, 9:30am-11am
Animal Homes: Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. Dress for the weather.
Saturday, February 21, 10:00am-11:30am
Animal Homes: Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. Dress for the weather.
Monday, March 2, 9:30am-11am
Weather: "Rain, rain go away come again another day!" We'll explore what weather is, and how we can be prepared to enjoy the outdoors in almost any weather.
Monday, March 16, 9:30am-11am
Maple Syruping: How do we get tasty maple syrup? From Maple Trees! have fun exploring the world of trees and how we make maple syrup at River Bend.
Kids in the Wild!
Kids in the Wild offers a safe place to get your kids outdoors to explore, imagine and discover new things in nature!
- Build a shelter out of fallen logs
- Construct a dam in the stream
- Climb on rocks and logs
- Play games such as camouflage (Hide & Seek)
- Observe wildlife all around you
- And so much more!
Celebrate your Birthday in Nature!
Whether you're a parent, child, or adult who loves nature, we invite you to celebrate your birthday at River Bend Nature Center. Call or email us today to book your River Bend Nature Center birthday party! 507.332.7151 or education@rbnc.org
Choose to rent a room and celebrate your way or add on a naturalist-led program for a unique experience!
Birthday Party Prices
River Bend birthday parties for children include accommodations for up to 15 children with at least one adult. Adult parties can include up to 15 people. Please review the Facility Use Request Form and Waiver for rental fees and add-ons.
Birthday Party Themes
Wet and Wild (Late Spring/Summer Theme)
Bring your party guests to play and learn all about water! Meet a water animal and play some water games outside.
Prairie Party (Spring, Summer, Fall Theme)
Come party in the prairie as we search for prairie animals. You will explore the nature center catching bugs, looking at flowers, and meeting our resident prairie animal, a bull snake.
BIG FOOT (Winter Theme)
Bring your party guests and learn to snowshoe. You and your friends will snowshoe around River Bend leaving your “BIG FOOT” prints in the snow. (snow dependent)
Who Done It? (Winter Theme)
Bring your fellow detectives and help the naturalists at River Bend figure out “Who done it?” You will explore the nature center looking at tracks, trails, and other winter animal signs and try to figure out what animal made it.
Scaly Tails (Year-round Theme)
Bring your friends and meet River Bend’s Animal Ambassadors. Meet Jack the corn snake, Harry the Grey Tree Frog, Sammy the Tiger Salamander and Orwin the painted turtle. You will get to learn about them and get hands on experience. After the meet and greet there will be a themed craft.
Archery (Spring/Summer/Fall Theme) Ages 10+
Begin by learning the basic practices of how to shoot a bow. Then, perfect your aim and shoot at targets with arrows!
Geocaching (Spring/Summer/Fall Theme) Ages 10+
There is nothing better than going on a real-life treasure hunt! With the help of our naturalist, learn how to use GPS units to get you started on an adventure of a lifetime.
Don't see your interest listed above? Contact us and we'll work with you to create the perfect party!