Exploring Fountain Creek Nature Center with Kids
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If you’re looking for a peaceful, educational, and surprisingly fun outing with your kids, I can’t recommend Fountain Creek Nature Center enough. A hidden gem in the town of Fountain, Colorado, a perfect blend of outdoor beauty, hands on learning, and creative play.
We spent a slow-paced morning there recently, and my kids are already asking to go back.
Here’s what made it such a memorable visit:
A Warm Welcome (and a Turtle!)
As soon as we stepped into the nature center building, we were greeted by friendly staff and a small collection of live animals that my kids loved. Both the Box Turtle and Bull snake were out of their hideouts so we got a good view of them. The fuzzy tarantula was in its hideout but you are still able to see it.
Dress-Up Time: Bugs, Birds & Animal Costumes
A fun feature inside the center was the animal and bug dress up area. They have a lady bug, bumblebee, bird, owl and other dress up outfits, which the kids loved and spent a long time playing. They also have nature books and hands on items to touch, like antlers, and pelts to touch.
The Bird Viewing Window:
When you walk in you will be drawn to the huge window dominating the back wall. It’s a great view of the mountains, as well as the wetland area where we saw tons of birds flying around finding snacks, and a squirrel eating on a bird feeder, later another squirrel came along desperately wanting to get to the snacks the other squirrel was eating. On the lake we saw geese, a couple of turtles, and a pair of ducks who kept diving their heads underwater, leaving their little tails sticking up and a couple of Great Blue Heron flew over head.
I’m sure with spring here, the Nature Center will explode with animal activity.
They have a few chairs and logs to sit on while you are animal watching, check out their binoculars to get an even better look at those animals out there.
Right next to the viewing window is a telephone where you can push a button next to a picture of a bird and listen to sounds they make.
History Comes Alive
There’s also a small exhibit area that gives you a look at the history of the Fountain Creek region—how it’s changed over time, the animals and plants that call it home, and how the land was used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers. You can listen to Fountain Creek’s story, by picking up the earpiece and looking at the pictures on the wall as she tells you her story.
Before You Go: What to Know
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
There are restrooms on-site, and the nature trails are stroller-friendly.
Don’t forget to bring binoculars if you have them, though you can rent a few inside.
There’s a small gift shop with fun educational toys, field guides and t-shirts and hats.
You can also take a walk along the Fountain Creek trail system right outside the center. It winds through wetlands and along the creek—perfect for spotting more birds, bugs, and maybe even a deer if you're lucky!
What I love most about Fountain Creek Nature Center is that it invites kids to explore at their own pace. There’s no pressure to “do” anything—just a quiet encouragement to observe, wonder, and enjoy. It’s the kind of place that lets kids be kids and reminds adults to slow down too.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through southern Colorado, this sweet little spot is worth a visit.
