Hershey Children’s Garden
Help your child disconnect from technology and discover the wonders of nature.
Array
(
[results] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[date] => 20260604
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Thu., Jun. 4, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Thu., Jun. 4, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780567200
[end_ts] => 1780592400
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-04 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-04 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[1] => Array
(
[date] => 20260605
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Fri., Jun. 5, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Fri., Jun. 5, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780653600
[end_ts] => 1780678800
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-05 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-05 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[2] => Array
(
[date] => 20260606
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Sat., Jun. 6, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Sat., Jun. 6, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780740000
[end_ts] => 1780765200
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-06 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-06 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[3] => Array
(
[date] => 20260607
[start] => 12:00 pm
[opens_at] => 12:00 pm
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Sun., Jun. 7, 2026, 12:00 pm
[end_full] => Sun., Jun. 7, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780833600
[end_ts] => 1780851600
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-07 12:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-07 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[4] => Array
(
[date] => 20260608
[start] => 12:00 am
[opens_at] => 00:00:00
[end] => 11:59 pm
[closes_at] => 23:59:59
[start_full] => Mon., Jun. 8, 2026
[end_full] => Mon., Jun. 8, 2026
[start_ts] => 1780876800
[end_ts] => 1780963199
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-08
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-08
[text] => Closed today
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => closed
[sold_out] =>
)
[5] => Array
(
[date] => 20260609
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Tue., Jun. 9, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Tue., Jun. 9, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780999200
[end_ts] => 1781024400
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-09 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-09 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[6] => Array
(
[date] => 20260610
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Wed., Jun. 10, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Wed., Jun. 10, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1781085600
[end_ts] => 1781110800
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-10 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-10 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[7] => Array
(
[date] => 20260611
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Thu., Jun. 11, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Thu., Jun. 11, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1781172000
[end_ts] => 1781197200
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-11 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-11 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[8] => Array
(
[date] => 20260612
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Fri., Jun. 12, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Fri., Jun. 12, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1781258400
[end_ts] => 1781283600
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-12 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-12 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[9] => Array
(
[date] => 20260613
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Sat., Jun. 13, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Sat., Jun. 13, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1781344800
[end_ts] => 1781370000
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-13 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-13 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
)
[total] => 14
[type] => campus
[next] => Array
(
[date] => 20260604
[start] => 10:00 am
[opens_at] => 10:00 am
[end] => 5:00 pm
[closes_at] => 5:00 pm
[start_full] => Thu., Jun. 4, 2026, 10:00 am
[end_full] => Thu., Jun. 4, 2026, 5:00 pm
[start_ts] => 1780567200
[end_ts] => 1780592400
[start_ymd] => 2026-06-04 10:00:00
[end_ymd] => 2026-06-04 05:00:00
[text] => Open today: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
[cost_included] => 1
[cost] =>
[disable_waitlist] =>
[save_the_date] =>
[msg] =>
[sched_level] =>
[status] => open
[sold_out] =>
)
[summaries] => Array
(
[ticket_link] =>
[date_summary_text] => Thu., Jun. 4 - Wed., Jun. 17
[date_summary] => Array
(
[is_sequential] => 1
[start_range] => 20260604 10:00
[start_range_day] => 20260604
[end_range] => 20260617 10:00
[end_range_day] => 20260617
[summary_text] =>
)
[is_cost_included] => yes
[is_sold_out] => no
[is_save_the_date] => no
)
[has_additional] =>
)
Hershey Children’s Garden Fountain Renovations
The fountain in the Hershey Children’s Garden is currently unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. Please check the website for updates on its status.
Children can become immersed in hands-on activities like:
- Searching for fish, frogs and turtles in the pond
- Learning about veggie and herb gardens
- Exploring and playing in nature’s playground
- Creating in our sandbox
- Learning how to care for plants with our water pump
The Hershey Children’s Garden was one of the first of its kind in the country when it opened in 1999, and it still serves as a model for children’s gardens around the world.
Summer Drop-in Programming
Young visitors are encouraged to participate in fun and enriching programming in the Hershey Children’s Garden all summer long. Check out this summer’s Hershey Children’s Garden daily programming starting Tuesday, June 2:
- Story Time, Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Swing by the treehouse for a Story Time adventure! Each month brings a brand-new theme.
- Pot a Seed, Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Get ready for some green-thumbed fun! In this activity, kiddos discover the secrets to happy plants, then they’ll plant their very own seeds to take home and shower with love and attention!
- A Ponderful Life, Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 – 4 p.m. & Saturdays 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Kids will dive into the wacky world of amphibians and creepy-crawly macro-invertebrates in the Hershey Children’s Garden Pond, uncovering their life cycles like little nature detectives. Plus, they’ll chat about how these little creatures can be our secret weapon for figuring out water quality.
- Art in the Garden, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Kids will get to unleash their inner creativity with some fabulous garden/nature-themed crafting and artistic fun!
- Bugs in the Garden, Wednesdays & Fridays from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Grab your trusty spoon and jar, and let’s embark on a bug-hunting adventure! We’ll be on a mission to discover, study, and admire the little critters that make this place their home. Just remember, it’s a catch-and-release party—we’ll return our little friends after the fun!
- Turtle Time, Saturday & Sunday from 2:30 – 4 p.m.: Swing by and hang out with our buddy, the box turtle! Discover what makes these shelled wonders so awesome. Watch them zoom (well, as fast as a turtle can zoom) and maybe even serve them a tasty turtle treat.
For your safety:
- We may limit the number of visitors inside this garden at one time
- Parents assume the risk associated with touching play surfaces and children congregating
- Adults are responsible to actively supervise children in their care
Things to Discover
Goldenrod & Ironweed | Here are our two quintessential autumnal Ohio wildflowers. Although they aren’t the tamest of garden guests, at the back of a sunny pollinator plot, they are worth inviting to the party. There are also some sport-jacket and khakis cultivars that won’t frighten your more civilized garden |
more
Here are our two quintessential autumnal Ohio wildflowers. Although they aren’t the tamest of garden guests, at the back of a sunny pollinator plot, they are worth inviting to the party. There are also some sport-jacket and khakis cultivars that won’t frighten your more civilized garden guests.
CUP FLOWER (Silphium perfoliatum) | Their sunflower-like blooms and forthcoming seeds drive bees and birds crazy, and their clasping cup-like leaf bases capture rainwater for the thirsty critters. A patch of cup flowers are perfect kid plants: bright, big, buzzing with animal life, and great to hide in!
Anemones | “Anenome” derives from the Greek anemos for “wind.” And that’s apt because these yardstick-tall flowers borne on wiry stems gracefully dance into the slightest wind. And if you know them as “Japanese anemones” they are in truth from Hupeh province in China but naturalized and |
more
“Anenome” derives from the Greek anemos for “wind.” And that’s apt because these yardstick-tall flowers borne on wiry stems gracefully dance into the slightest wind. And if you know them as “Japanese anemones” they are in truth from Hupeh province in China but naturalized and cherished in Japan.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) | I’m holding the camera above my head and this Midwest prairie native is still lookin’ down at me. Not many trees, but otherwise it’s still a height race for all prairie grasses and herb.
Here’s more to explore at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Gateway Garden
The garden’s pronounced seasonal nature offers brilliant bulbs in spring, eye-popping annuals in summer, and showy fall foliage, berries, and bark textures. There’s even a waterfall and small pond. The... more
Rose Garden
Our picturesque rose garden features a colorful collection of floribunda roses, encircling a classic, Roman-style octagonal pool. Selected for hue, hardiness, and disease resistance, the floribundas join other members of... more
Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden
This garden abounds with flowers, trees, and shrubs that will offer a soothing respite from the everyday. Large trees like chestnut oak and magnolia provide a soothing sense of enclosure.... more
CK Patrick Perennial Garden
Our ever-changing path indulges your senses with a collage of hues and textures. One day you might spy a group of towering foxtail lilies, and a month later come across... more
Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience
Northeast Ohio's favorite indoor/outdoor holiday experience returns to the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Winter botanical displays, holiday lights and immersive, themed rooms will transport you to an enchanting world. Advance ticket... more
Our Gardens
Located in the heart of University Circle, the Cleveland Botanical Garden is an urban oasis – an escape from the bustling city. Manicured gardens and curated glasshouses offer inspiration for... more
Garden Café
Current Hours Sunday: 1-4pmTuesday-Saturday: 11am-4pm Need to ask a question? Give us a call at 216.245.3700 more
Woodland Garden
You’ll be joined by butterflies, songbirds, and wildflowers as you explore our most informal and expansive retreat. This forest offers year-round enchantment, but feels especially magical when you visit in... more
Sunken Garden
This cultivated garden filled with seasonal flowers and native trees and shrubs sits nestled in the corner underneath the Botanical Garden’s Japanese Overlook Hallway. This secret oasis is perfect for... more
