Instill a love of the outdoors in children with these trips to nearby nature centers.

photo by: Courtesy of SEA LIFE Kansas City

A visitor gets up-close-and-personal with a seahorse at SEA LIFE aquarium at Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

photo by: Courtesy of Powell Gardens

A little boy enjoys the coming of spring to the Perennial Garden at Powell Gardens in Kingsville, Mo., east of Kansas City.

photo by: Courtesy of Overland Park CVB.

The Red Barn at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead features two large slides.

Visitors can touch a starfish in the Touchpool Exhibit at SEA LIFE aquarium at Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

photo by: Courtesy of SEA LIFE Kansas City

The baby-faced pufferfish is fast becoming a superstar at SEA LIFE Kansas City aquarium at Crown Center.

photo by: Courtesy of Overland Park CVB.

A tepee stands in the Indian Encampment at the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park.