Dive into Learning and Fun with Monthly Themes and Water Features at Franklin Park Conservatory’s Children’s Garden

Families who visit Franklin Park Conservatory are in for a treat! The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden is about kick off the warmer months with exciting programming and monthly themes starting from Saturday, April 22. If you’re looking for an enriching and entertaining activity to enjoy with your little ones, look no further than the Children’s Garden.

With over two acres of interactive experiences, this is the largest horticulture project ever undertaken by the Conservatory. The Children’s Garden aims to introduce and connect children to the natural world, renewing that connection for parents and caregivers, all while supporting the Conservatory’s outreach and education mission.

As the weather warms up, the Children’s Garden experience includes educational programs that run during the spring and summer seasons. Visitors can take part in hands-on learning at no additional cost beyond admission, with programming centered around monthly learning themes.

The Children’s Garden offers a variety of activities, including Discovery Stations, Nature Circle Time, Garden Club, and visits from local educators and performers.

The monthly learning themes offer a fun and educational way to explore the garden. In April and May, visitors can learn about plant science, seed exploration, and hands-on gardening experiments in the “April Showers Bring May Flowers” theme. June is all about “Backyard Bug Adventures,” where children can discover insects and pollinators in our backyards and learn why they are so important. In July, celebrate summer with the “Red, White & Bloom” theme, exploring summer colors and patterns in the garden. In August, dive into Ohio’s streams, ponds, and lakes with the “Splish, Splash, Explore” theme, and learn about the creatures living in them. Finally, in September, “Woodland Wonders” invites visitors to identify and observe Ohio’s native plants and wildlife.

New This Year: Conservatory Explore Nights: Splish, Splash, Explore!

Introducing Conservatory Explore Nights, a special engagement happening in June, July, and August. They’re going all out to make your evenings unforgettable. Each night will offer a lively festival experience including: live entertainment, food trucks, facilitated discovery stations, signature cocktails & mocktails, crafts, and a scavenger hunt. This is an evening experience that is open after general admission hours, which means there is a special engagement price.

• Adult (13 and up): $26.00
• Senior (60+): $22.00
• Child (3-12 years): $15.50
• Museums for All: $3.00 – Learn more about Museums for All here
• Child under 3: $0.00

You can register HERE – you don’t want to miss out on this event!

Recurring programs like Discovery Stations, Nature Circle Time, and Let’s Grow Garden Club provide drop-in style learning that features rotating activities based on the monthly learning theme.

Discovery Stations: Daily from 10:30am–1pm
Rotating, drop-in style activities

Nature Circle Time: Tuesdays from 10:30am–11am
Nature-based storytelling, songs, dances and games

Let’s Grow Garden Club: Wednesdays, June 7–August 16 from 10:30–11:00am
Young gardeners will participate in all aspects gardening

The Garden Club is the perfect opportunity for young gardeners to engage in all aspects of gardening, from planting seeds to harvesting. This club runs from June 7th to August 16th and features special guests like the S.R.D Harris Book Reading, Ohio Wildlife Center, and The Bugman, with even more exciting guests to be announced throughout the season.

S.R.D Harris Book Reading: April 29 at 11am
The author will read her empowering children’s books

Ohio Wildlife Center: May 6 at 11am
Get an up-close look at wildlife found in Ohio

The Bugman: June 4 at 11am
Learn more about bugs from a local bug celebrity

Besides the amazing programs, The Children’s Garden is a wonderland of exploration with exciting areas like the Canopy Walk, Playhouse Garden, Whisper Gardens and more!

But our ultimate favorite is My Ohio Woods – a magical area with a 166-foot Sandstone Bluff just waiting to be discovered. Along the way, your little ones can marvel at moss, lichens, ferns, and fossils, inspiring their love for nature. And The Headwaters is a must-visit too! Let your kids touch and explore rock formations, fossils, and pools of water in Sandstone Creek.

It’s the perfect spot to kick off your shoes, splash around and cool down on a hot summer day. Water features are open from April 29th to October 1st.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse your family in nature and promote active learning! The Children’s Garden is open year-round, with the exception of various water features that operate only during the spring and summer seasons. Standard hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with hours subject to change during special engagements.

Admission to the Children’s Garden is included in your Conservatory admission.