Nature is sometimes, well, too natural for children.
This inviting facility on the grounds of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is a good antidote. There's lots of wall text to read, knobs to turn and answers to reveal. Oddly compelling is a collection of real stuffed animals depicted in naturalistic settings behind frosted glass. But the best thing is the 40-person electric tram that takes a loop through the refuge. The tour's short duration, unhurried pace and concise narration make a tram trip an utterly pleasant centerpiece for a visit.