Children's Garden transformation!
Young seeds -
Time to harvest! -
WELCOME TO THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN!
The Dow Gardens Children’s Garden was built in 1999. It was designed to be a organic vegetable display garden and to educate children on where food comes from. The Children’s Garden is a very interactive garden. Guests are encouraged to sample the different vegetables and pick a couple to take home. Get ready to explore and discover!
Planning a visit?
We would love your help!
Here is a chore list for the Children’s Garden:
>Water the Plants
>Sweep the Sidewalks
>Eat Some Vegetables
>Clean the Dirty Pig
>Complete the Scavenger Hunt (located in front of the pavilion)
>Try to catch a “Jumping Jewel”
>Crawl Through the Tunnel
>Make a BIG bubble
>EXPLORE and DISCOVER
DROP IN ACTIVITIES
Crafty Wednesdays
Join us every Wednesday this summer from 1-2 p.m. (after a Lunchtime Concert?) to make simple, fun crafts in the Children's Garden. Crafts are geared to preschoolers -but kids of ALL ages are welcome!
Story Time at Dow Gardens
Every Friday at 10:00 am
June—August
Join us in the Children’s Garden and listen to
gardening stories, then busy yourself with fun
activities like running through a sprinkler,
harvesting vegetables or showing off your fairy costume!
SUPER Friday Story Time (Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month)
Friday July 9 -Fairy/Gnome Day
Dress up as a fairy or gnome and come listen to stories, use your imagination, and build small special homes!
Friday, July 23 -Water Day!
Prepare to get wet as you splash in wading pools and sprinklers!
Friday, August 13 -Water Day!
Come play in our giant sprinkler!
Friday, August 27 -Final Water Day of the Summer!
January—February: located at Visitor’s Center
May—September: located at Children’s Garden
October—December: located at Visitor’s Center
*No story time in March and April due to Butterflies in Bloom.
F.A.Q.
Q: What happens to all the vegetables grown in the Children’s Garden?
A: The vegetables grown in the Children’s Garden are enjoyed and observed by our visitors.
Q: May I take vegetables home?
A: Yes, but our rule of thumb is one vegetable for each hand.
Q: Are any vegetables wasted?
A: No, because there is value in the experience of seeing a tomato grow on a tomato plant.
Q: How can I find out about Children’s Garden activities?
A: New activities will be posted on this page. To find out faster, you can also sign up for our e-newsletter by clicking here.
Growin’ Gardeners Have you ever wondered what the raised beds with all of the colorful scarecrows on the edge of the Children's Garden are? They are the Growin' Gardener plots. This summer there are 200 children gardening on 84 plots! Families register to be a part of a 10 week gardening program. Children visit each week to learn about the wonderful world of gardening. Topics include: insects, weeds, worms, the water cycle and plant identification. Take a look at all the hard work these children have done but please remember to be respectful. (Please note classes for this summer have been filled.)
