Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly, NJ)
A Mommy Poppins favorite, Tenafly Nature Center offers a wide variety of classes all year round, catering to everyone from toddlers to teenagers to families. For a lovely springtime afternoon activity, enroll the kiddos (ages 9 & up) in the Earth Day Wildflower Ramble. During a guided leisurely trail walk, you'll discover Violets and Trout Lily - bring your cameras for beautiful photo ops. If you've got younger children, check out TNC's monthly Nature Story Time. A new story and animal (including frogs, turtles and snakes) are featured through each educational lesson. For a full listing of class schedules and registration info, please visit the Tenafly Nature Center website.

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (Chatham, NJ)
Situated on the edge of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the cozy looking cabin that houses the nature center is brimming with kid-friendly exhibits. Take a peak around at the resident snakes and frogs or head outside to hike one of the picturesque trails. If you're looking for a more structured learning experience, Great Swamp has a ton of spring classes too. The Frog Jamboree class (great for the whole gang) is all about spring peepers and wood frogs. Learn all about these hopping amphibians before headed outside for some fresh air as you spot frogs and their chorus of croaks. And if you've got elementary-aged kids with a creative side, sign up for their Awesome Animal Artists class. Budding young artists will learn to mix nature and art as they learn about and draw animals native to New Jersey. For more information on class schedules and registration, please visit Great Swamp's website.

Trailside Nature & Science Center (Mountainside, NJ)
Trailside has a truly impressive, two-story indoor nature center that's an outing in and of itself, including a 34-ft American beech tree exhibit in the atrium. Get your green on for Earth Day during their annual Wild Earth Fest this April. The festivities include live animal demos, the Recycling Olympics and a wildlife photography contest. Face painting, music and food vendors round out the fun. And if you've got little truck lovers in the house, head to the popular Touch-a-Truck event, where kids can climb on fire trucks, police cars, bulldozers and dump trucks. For more events information, including pricing and schedules, please visit the Trailside Nature & Science Center website.

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve (Pennington, NJ)
The sprawling Watershed Reserve includes 930 acres of forests, fields, meadows and brooks and is a great destination for family hikes. Their Lunch & Learn program is a perfect way to introduce kids to nature outside of the classroom. Join the Watershed Naturalists for an outdoor springtime lunch as you enjoy a nature mini-lesson, followed by a hands-on activity. Children will be sent home with more ideas to explore on their own or with friends and family. For more info on this series and how to register, please visit the Watershed Reserve website.

Basking Ridge Environmental Center (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Nestled in the western part of the Passaic River's swamp basin, the Basking Ridge Environmental Center includes more than 8 miles of trails, a nature center, nature library and dozens of special events and classes. If you're looking for something low key for your whole group, sign up for an hour-long Family Nature Walk, where you'll trek through part of the basin with a Naturalist. For more April fun, take a Bluebird Walk and spot those pretty Eastern bluebirds with binoculars or let curious toddlers get dirty with insects during Squirmy Wormies! And for some learning mixed with adventure, take part in an exciting scavenger hunt during Project E.A.R.T.H. Swamp Search as you navigate the trails to learn about the ecological importance of the Great Swamp. Then head back to the nature center for the "Mammal Mania" program and get up close and personal with live animals. For more info on class schedules and registration, please visit the Basking Ridge website.

Happy springtime exploring!