FILE PHOTO: the boardwalk overlook at Frenchman's Forest Natural Area, Palm Beach Gardens. Photo: supercraigtalbert / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
By Jupiter Tide Staff
JUPITER — If you have a toddler or preschooler and a free morning, the Loxahatchee River Center has two easy, no-cost outings on the calendar.
Story Time, Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
Every Thursday, River Center staff gather kids in the classroom to read stories, then bring out one of the center's resident animal ambassadors for an up-close look. Story Time is for children up to age 6, it's free and you don't need to RSVP, according to the center's event page.
When: Thursdays, 9:30–10 a.m. Next dates: Nov. 12 and Nov. 19.
Where: River Center, 805 N. U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter (in Burt Reynolds Park, just north of Indiantown Road)
Cost: Free, no RSVP
Stay afterward to see the aquariums. The River Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays this time of year.
Tots on Trails, Wednesday, Nov. 18
Once a month, the River Center takes little ones ages 2 to 6 on a guided nature walk in a local natural area. This month's walk is at Frenchman's Forest Natural Area in Palm Beach Gardens. Families meet in the natural area's parking lot at 10 a.m. for about an hour on the trail, looking at plants and animals along the way. It's free, but you need to register, and space is limited, the center says. Siblings are welcome; include them when you sign up.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10–11 a.m.
Where: Frenchman's Forest Natural Area, 12201 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens (meet in the parking lot)
Cost: Free; registration required through the River Center events page
Bring: closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray and water
Looking for more easy walks with small kids? See our guide to easy nature walks around Jupiter and Juno Beach.
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Sources
River Center, Story Time event page (Nov. 12 occurrence): lrdrivercenter.org/events-calendar/story-time
River Center events list (Tots on Trails, Nov. 18, Frenchman's Forest): lrdrivercenter.org/events-list
River Center program description for Tots on Trails, as posted on the center's social channels (mirrored at govern1.com) and its event listing