The Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls entertains minds young and old with animals both local and international. The zoo features cougars, tigers, and bears – oh my! The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire (40 S. Barstow St., temporarily closed) provides hands-on educational experiences for kids and their grown-ups. Beaver Creek Reserve (S1 County Highway K, Fall Creek) is the perfect getaway for any nature-loving child. The reserve is home to 400 acres of forest criss-crossed by miles of hiking paths along the Eau Claire River. –Evelyn Nelson