Starting Thursday, families who want to take in the outdoors have a new option at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Thursday Nature Play is set to kick-off this week, an event featuring free canoe rentals and self-guided activities for families.

Nature Play will be held each Thursday through Aug. 20 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Center director Larry Dolphin said the goal is to get families outside exploring nature with their young ones.

Another chance for families to do some exploring is Saturday’s Ecoblitz. This event, in its second year, will allow families to register for a number of activities, including a bird walk and a timed canoe race. There will be prizes for the winner of the race, as well as other prize drawings during the day. Like the Nature Plays, this event will be free.

Dolphin said he expects about 80 people to attend the Ecoblitz, and registration is almost full.

For more information on either event, call the center at 437-7519, or go to hormelnaturecenter.org.