We've never actually been inside the center, but my kids absolutely love the mud kitchen and music garden, so we find ourselves frequenting the free outdoor grounds pretty often. It's such a fun little spot tucked away, and I love that we can easily pair some playtime with a quick lap around the nature path. The area is nicely shaded, which makes it a great option even when the weather is warmer. And I have to mention the tube slide, I love it just as much as the kids do! It's become one of our favorite little places to stop for some free outdoor fun. read more

This was a great nature center to find. We had wanted to go on a short hike, but because of the rain, the trails were muddy. Luckily we could go explore the nature center. It's a beautiful center and has a gorgeous outdoor patio plus an outdoor playground as well. The exhibits inside are really cool, and I loved learning about the Chesapeake waterways and preservation of the bay. It was interesting to learn about all of the creatures that live in the second growth forest outside and even see some of them, such as turtles and snakes in their exhibits. They did a really good job with this nature center, and it was really fun. I'm glad we found it and I am looking forward to walking some of the trails next time we are in the area. read more

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I came here for a kid's birthday party and the children had quite a time! This party was astronaut themed so the instructor brought in a building set that would allow the kids to build spaceships. After building spaceships we were taken to the planetarium so the kids could travel to space. The kids loved seeing the different stars and planets. I enjoyed the show myself as well. It's been quite some time since I've been to a planetarium. After the initial show the kids ate pizza and cake and then returned to the planetarium. The second time in the planetarium they watched a movie about the stars and evolution. It looks like there's so much to see and do here, I'll definitely have to return to experience some of the other things they have to offer. However, I can definitely recommend having a kids party here. I would say ideally for someone in kindergarten and older. read more

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Overall: excellent place for little kids to enjoy the outdoors, fun birthday parties, kind staff, inclusive bathrooms Visiting the outdoor areas is free but the inside costs money. We frequent the outdoor areas with our family. They have short easy hikes that cross a little creek, excellent for kids. There is a playground with a slide, hammocks, musical instruments, building blocks, and a mud kitchen. They put on outdoor plays and they have a kids garden area where they host events and classes. We prefer the outside to the inside. The inside has a discovery play room for kids with some creatures, toys, and dress ups. There are a couple exhibits and animals to view inside as well. We attended a 3 year old birthday party here and it was a hit. They have different themes and activities. This one had a play and the kids got to meet and touch a turtle. read more

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We booked our son's birthday party here for the Astronaut in Training event. The employees here were very good about contacting us a few days before the event and hammering out all the details with us. On the day of the event there was ample time to set up and the classroom had all the party supplies we needed (cups, plates, napkins, etc). Our instructor did a great job leading a rocket building activity with the kids and then later led us to the planetarium for an interactive show. The only downside to the party (which the kids didn't care about) was the room was having a lot of technical difficulties. When loading certain videos or shots the screen would error out or not load. The kids didn't mind but the whole party was focused around this show so I expected it to be more seamless. Nonetheless, it was a very stress free event and the logistics of this place are great. We will definitely be hosting another event in the future. read more

Robinson Nature Center A wonderful nature center that provides a lot of educational information for all levels of ages. The indoor facility is clean and organized in different sections, from the hands on playroom, nature setups with real size animals, birds and amazing nature sounds to mimic the forest. They also have outdoor playgrounds that has mud kitchens, musical instruments, nature play with logs for stepping stones and balances exercises, slides from pipes and swings. If you walk around the facility, there are trails that go along to the small creek that goes to Middle Patuxent River. Prior of you're visiting, it's a good idea to check on planetarium openschedule, they have awesome shows for kids. Also don't miss their gift shops by the entrance, you'll find some amazing stuff that won't break the bank. 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044 Closed Monday-Tuesday, Open daily Wednesday - Sunday 9AM-5PM General Admission : $5 Adults, $3 Children ages 3-17 yrs, Free Children under 3 yrs 410-313-0400 ℹ howardcountymd.gov ‼ Closed: January 1, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday & Friday) & December 25. #robinsonnaturecenter #hocomd #preservefootprints read more

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Came here on a Sunday. I feel like I been here on a field trip when I was a kid. For what we paid you would think you get a guide. Nope The staff jwas not fully welcoming or provide a guide. I go in the room and just start picking up stuff that maybe I was or was not supposed to pick up. I dont know, all I know was the kids had fun. read more

Not a whole lot to do here. We have a membership and it's not even worth the effort to drive the 10 minutes. The trails are nice but nothing different than any other basic hiking trail I've been on. The building is comprised of expensive empty classrooms and a planetarium. The planetarium is nice but additional and with my 3 young kids, they can't sit through the show. The kids toy room was not made with children in mind and it shows. There's so much opportunity that was missed here, e.g. senatorial toys, board books for the under 3 population. The kids room was also extremely dusty and needs some love. The staff has 0 interest in being there. The benefit is that no one is ever there so it's never crowded. read more

Lots to do for children , for a reasonable price , would definitely recommend for all age groups, toys , small animals to touch and learn about. read more

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I have passed by signs for the Robinson Nature Center so many times and I finally had some time to visit! I felt pretty safe entering the center since we had to fill out forms before entering and they had rules about social distancing and one way traffic. The staff members we interacted with were really nice, friendly, and tried to help answer our general questions about the Middle Patuxent Area. I was a bit bummed that some of the areas in the center were closed off but they did reduce the entrance fee to only $2! This place is definitely geared towards children but I still had a nice time! There is a room of live animals like starfish, frogs, snakes, and other small creatures which were really cool! We also got to see an interactive model of a mill machine. There's also a place to hear different bird calls with amazing artwork for each of the 4 seasons. And below that is another exhibit I enjoyed that had the 3D models of the animals in their ecosystem. This place is so creative and nice place to spend an afternoon! I will be back to see the rest of the exhibits when it is safe to do so! I also didn't get a chance to hike the trails but guess that means I'll be back again to do just that! read more

Robinson Nature Center - Colorful and scenic displays - Parks Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Hosted my daughters 2nd birthday at Robinson Nature Center. It was very easy to book a room and the kids had a lot of fun. Included with this party package was an indoor/outdoor nature tour, puppet show, and unlimited play time on the playground. The rental room are a decent size and the tables are covered with paper so the children can draw and doodle. Neat place! read more

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PLENTY of parking available when visiting!!! Great outdoor walking trails! We love the mill and walkways that can be explored. Not so conducive for strollers though! If you have a non-walker bring a sling or carrier to trek them around. The many signs and plaques throughout help to introduce nature concepts to the littles ones! During hot sunny days the trails are nicely shaded by trees so can be a good outside activity! We have not been indoors yet so I can't comment on the facilities, but from what I have read on the website there are many educational activities that will be good for toddlers and older kids! read more

The center and the grounds are lovely, but what a waste to have this lovely facility that most people can barely use since it's only open until 5 on the weekdays that it is open. Most of the time that families could enjoy the trails the parking lot is locked up. Such a shame and a waste of resources!!! read more

This was a great experience. The staff are knowledgeable and very friendly. The facility is clean and organized. The gift shop is shockingly low priced with really cool things inside. I will definitely be going back. read more

Free on Wednesdays! $5 for adults, $3 kids (3-17) and under 3 is free on Thurs - Sunday with Monday and Tuesdays closed. This place is pretty awesome. It's completely GREEN-FRIENDLY! The nature center is unique and pretty large on 18 acres of land! They used geothermal heating and air-conditioning, solar panels, porous paving on the concrete/parking areas, water conservation methods, etc! Everything you'd want in a truly green house is right in this nature center and the surrounding 18 acres. There are several walking nature paths surrounding the area. Although I went during the winter months, it was still pretty. There were interactive exhibits for adults and kids. There was a room filled with activities for little ones for them to explore different things like textures of certain animals, tiny aquariums, etc. I would say for ages 3-12. I believe they hold special activities throughout the seasons and you should check the schedule for them. There is a NatureSphere but it wasn't open on the Wednesday I came but it's a planetarium. There were also a couple of classrooms downstairs. This place is neat and worth checking out.even if you don't have a small one who likes exploring. You'll still learn about the region of Columbia and what it was like before now. For instance, we have flying nocturnal squrills in Columbia! And, this region used to be full of bison, elk and black bears. AND once this area was cleared for farming and full of farm land but now the trees are growing back towards a mature forest. read more

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Our family hold membership at the Robinson Nature Center. They are very family friendly. There are educational classrooms indoor/outdoor, short walking trails (less than 1 mile) and a small stream located at the end of one the trails. A round-trip trek on the trails is manageable for small children such as our 2 year old. Parking is conveniently located next to the trails. read more

Beware! This place is FULL of poison ivy!! Maybe this is a problem in all of Maryland, but it seems to be everywhere in this park. Its beautiful and there is a trail down to the river. But DO NOT go off the trail at all! Even onto little side trails. I took a side trail and ended up in a thicket of poison ivy! Its not fun! read more

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Howard County's "new" nature center (it's been open about 5 years) lives up to expectations considering the area it's located. The building is a beautiful example of architecture made for both visitors, clients, and park staff. Overall it was a pleasant experience, although it somehow feels just short of the size of Patuxent or the style of Watkins. I think it's the fact that they charge you for visiting here whereas the others are free, which makes it feel not quite worth it. Inside, there are some lovely exhibits on the history of the area (including environmental impact), the Chesapeake watershed, the seasons and animals of the region, and current environmental programs. The exhibits are nicely done and informative, although repeated use has left the occasional button or slide in disrepair. You could spend quite some time in here just reading every panel, but if you have a little child they will burn through it quite fast. Inside the building, they have a planetarium (costs extra) and a discovery room, neither of which we used. In addition to the nature center, you'll find many trails heading off into the nearby woods and rural areas. We did not travel these, so I cannot attest to the information signs or the quality of sights, although I expect them to be similar to other parks. Admission is $5 for adult ($3 for teenagers and children), although Wednesdays are free. If you're a local, you can save some money with the annual passes, which are $50 for an entire immediate family (parents and children) for the year. Also check out their schedule of events and programs for a number of unique activities (ranging from free to a few bucks). read more

Fantastic and soooo modern. Very secluded and Very frank Lloyd wright. Live beehive on first floor (behind glass). Lots of things to do and painted animals. No stuffed creatures. So beautiful and interactive. Great place for picnics and parties. A planetarium on first floor , but didn't get to check it out. A children's garden out front and an oyster recycling place you can put used oysters. Lots of paved paths. Very handicap friendly!!!! Elevators everywhere and lots of ramps. A liitle dark in nocturnal exhibit, I wound up tripping in there. Only complaint. Nice clean men's/ women's/ family bathrooms. read more

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I had my daughter's 4th birthday at Robinson Nature Center and it was by far the best decision. The facility is gorgeous and so clean. They had everything ready to go- the only thing I had to do was put out the food and cake! They had an educator come for about 10 mins and show the kids different animal furs and talk about how those animals survive in the winter then he took the kids in the auditorium where they have a faux snow ball fight. It was perfect. Parents were so pleased with how organized the party was and how much fun their kids had within the 2 hour time slot. The staff was very friendly, accommodating and helpful. I HIGHLY recommend this place for birthday parties or just to take your kid(s) for a day of fun. read more

Beautiful place I had an amazing time on the trails w my family. The employees are very nice and the grounds are clean. Would like to come again for an event w my daughter. read more

If you are looking for a nature center on the lines of the Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills then you will be disappointed. The inside lacks much that is alive and it is more like a science center. Over the past year they have worked on making the area surrounding it much more interesting to explore. There is a nice walk to the old mill and on to the river. Annie's garden is very pretty in the spring with carpets of snowdrops. Nothing much has changed inside since it has opened so it's not worth buying a yearly pass. read more

Robinson Nature Center - Spring in Annie's garden - Parks Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

The location was clean and filled with opportunities to learn. We enjoyed our time there for the most part. However, one of the exhibits downstairs was "out of service," which was unfortunate. Front staff member (woman with curly/wavy hair in a ponytail) was rude to customers as well as her coworkers. It made me uncomfortable as it seemed she was irritated to see people there. I would not return due to her customer service. One needs to feel welcomed, comfortable asking questions, etc. when entering a new place. read more

Decent place to visit at least once to say you went. For being such a large elaborate building, there is not much to see visually or do, unless you are a kid. The trails are very short and leave a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, my family and I were not big fans of then Cycle of Life exhibit downstairs, which depicted the scene of a shot dead deer being eating by a vulture, in addition to the other animals preying on each other. I understand that they are trying to show the cycle of life, but truly the scenes downstairs were a bit disturbing and in poor taste. I didn't find them to be child friendly. My family and have no interest in returning. read more

We really enjoyed this place. I have taken my children to other nature centers, but this one tops them all. There was plenty to do, my son enjoyed the discovery room, the outside nature place, and the encased bee hive. The prices aren't back either, we will definitely be back. read more

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My family and I love this place. The land is beautiful and dense with wildlife. The building is equally beautiful, clean and well maintained. There's plenty to do in and outside but the nature center is ideal for kids. The staff and volunteers are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Their events are fun, too, make sure to keep an eye on their calendar! Overall we couldn't be happier and are proud to have this nature center in Howard County. read more

I have been here for a chocolate making class as well as a planetarium exhibit on black holes. It's a wonderful place with lots to admire; it's beautiful on the inside as well as the out and the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. I think it makes a great place for a date night or just a nice place to visit if your up for a quite tour through a nature exhibit. You can learn so many great things about nature here. Guys impress your ladies and do something less routine; how many movie / dinner nights can you do in a row before you just seem like your running the same plan over and over. The best part about RNC is it's just near the 29/32 merger so it's super easy to get too. read more

I live in Columbia & FINALLY got over to the fairly new Robinson Nature Center with my 2.5 year old. It's an amazing green building with gorgeous natural landscaping and amazing hands on programming, exploratory items for toddlers, especially. It's all about the details there, really. Their "discovery room" was just that, a place to discover lots of things but did get a tad crowded and hot during busy times. The trails and "hiking" were terrific too, very natural and a terrific spot on the water. We went on a Wednesday when admission was FREE (although under 3 is always free). Terrific opportunity to explore our outdoors, a tremendous asset to the Columbia community and Howard Co. Park & Rec. We will be back SOON! read more