Your kids probably won’t want to leave the boardwalk sections of Broadmoor’s trails after spotting turtles, geese, frogs, and other wildlife. The promise of a waterfall should do the trick, though. From the Mass Audobon’s nature center, where you have to check in, start with All Persons Trail, a 430-foot-long accessible boardwalk along Indian Brook and over marsh, then head to Mill Pond/ Marsh Trail to see the waterfall. The water gushing down the chute was used for powering a wheel at the former mill site.

Though this is just a mile-long trek, be prepared for slow going because there’s so much to see. This is a hike not to get somewhere, but rather to enjoy the journey. You may want to explain to the kids that you have to return the same way so that they know they will get a chance to explore the same territory again.

The various habitats—wetlands, fields, woods, brooks, vernal pools—attract all sorts of animals, including beaver, otters, turtles, and more than 150 varieties of birds. A gristmill was once on the property, which you’ll see evidence of by the cascading waterfall that powered the saw for the mill. Other trails lead to the Charles River, open fields, and a drumlin (an elongated hill formed by glacial drift). The sanctuary is also a great place to snowshoe in winter.

Remember: Don’t skip the nature center, where you can learn about its green features, including solar panels for electricity and composting toilets.

Elm Bank Reservation (Trip 48) is in Wellesley, less than 3 miles away.

Natick’s Main Street offers a variety of places to eat.