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.
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.
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
Bite Size Insects
Friday, April 2, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, $3 per student
Cafe Insecta is open! Insects can be delicious - sign up for this fun class with Entomologist, Elly Maxwell, and cook up some truly unique treats! Mealworm Fried Rice and Chocolate Chirpie Cookies - you won't go away hungry! Please register by calling 989.631.2677
Growin’ Gardeners
2010 registration is now open. Please call 989.631.2677 to register.
June 15, 16, 17 through August 17, 18, 19
For ages 4 and up. Siblings are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $35.
Class times:
Tuesday: 9:15 - 10:15 or 10:45 - 11:45
Wednseday: 9:15 - 10:15 or 10:45 - 11:45
Thursday: 9:15 - 10:15 or 10:45 - 11:45
The first Growin’ Gardeners class was in 2003. There were 24 children gardening on 10 plots. Over the years, the program has expanded to around 200 children on 84 plots. The plots are located in raised beds on the outside of the Children’s Garden. 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.
Drop In Activities
Story Time at Dow Gardens
Every Friday at 10:00 am
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.
Super Friday Story Time
Every 2nd and 4th Friday
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!
