Easy Hikes with Kids

Henderson Park in Tucker: Tree-shaded dirt trails surround a lake, duck pond and small waterfall on 121 acres. Go past the sports fields to reach the trails and playground. 2723 Henderson Road, Tucker. hendersonpark.org.

Lullwater Park at Emory: The 154-acre preserve has miles of easy walking trails. Walk around beautiful Candler Lake, cross over a 210-foot suspension bridge, explore the mill, creek and waterfall and open green spaces. 1463 Clifton Rd. NE, Decatur.

Visit a Nature Preserve

Three more to consider beyond the well-known Chattahoochee Nature Center and Dunwoody Nature Center:

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center: A Heritage Village with preserved historic structures teaches kids about rural life in the 1850s to 1900s. autreymill.org.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve: Trails in this 30-acre urban green space are open from dawn to dusk, and the family dog is welcome, too. 4055 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. bhnp.org.

Woodlands Garden Urban Preserve: This 7.1-acre garden invites quite exploration everyday during daylight hours. 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur. woodlandsgarden.org.

More to Explore

Paddle a Canoe: Chattahoochee Nature Center’s popular guided canoe rides, 6-9 p.m. on select Saturdays during summer, are fun and adventuresome for ages 6 and older. $30 per person. Beginners ages 5 and older can learn to handle a canoe at a Family Canoe Day, 10-11:30 a.m. on June 11 and 18, July 2 and 16, and Aug. 13. $15 per person. chattnaturecenter.org.   

Grow a Butterfly: With Insect Lore’s Live Butterfly Garden, kids can explore the life cycle of butterflies. The kit lets kids feed caterpillars and watch as they turn into a chrysalis, then emerge as butterflies. $24.95. insectlore.com.

Touch a Butterfly: Two festivals celebrate one of nature’s most beautiful insects: Flying Colors Butterfly Festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center June 4-5 (chattnaturecenter.org) and the Butterfly Festival at Dunwoody Nature Center Aug. 20 (dunwoodynature.org). Butterfly Encounter at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is open daily, June 6-July 31.

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