Hershey Children’s Garden
Help your child disconnect from technology and discover the wonders of nature.
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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.
Children’s Garden Updates
Our new hive maze is now open near the live bee hives, come and enjoy!
The fountain and the water pumps are currently turned off. We plan to reopen these super fun water features very soon.
Parents: Please leave nets at home and make sure your kids handle animals safely when you visit. Thank you!
Summer Programming
Story Time: Tues (11am-12:30pm)
Swing by the treehouse at Hershey Children’s Garden for a story time adventure! Each month brings a brand-new theme that’ll tickle your imagination!
A Ponderful Life: Tues & Thurs (11am-12:30pm)
Kids are about to embark on a splash-tastic adventure at the Hershey Children’s Garden Pond! They’ll dive into the wacky world of amphibians and creepy-crawly macro-invertebrates, 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: Wed and Fri (11am-1pm)
Kids will get to unleash their inner creativity with some fabulous garden/nature-themed crafting and artistic fun!
Bugs in the Garden: Wed and Fri (2:30pm-4pm)
Grab your trusty spoon and jar, and let’s embark on a bug-hunting adventure in the Hershey Children’s Garden! 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!
Garden Skills: Thurs (2:30pm-4pm)
Kids are diving into this green-thumb adventure to pick up all sorts of gardening tricks they can use in the Hershey Children’s Garden and beyond!
Pot a Seed: Tues (11-1pm and 2:30pm-4pm)
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!
Turtle Time: Sat & Sun (2:30pm-4pm)
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
The Garden Store
Our carefully curated collection features original, one-of-a-kind, and locally made gifts and garden goods that change with the seasons—and that you won’t find anywhere else. Our friendly staff is always... more
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
Return of the Butterflies
Enter the Costa Rica biome and be transported into a world of native butterflies! A fan favorite returns: Holden Forests & Gardens presents Return of the Butterflies at the Cleveland Botanical Garden... more
Woodland Garden
You’ll be joined by butterflies, songbirds, and wild flowers as you explore our most informal and expansive retreat. This forest offers year-round enchantment, but feels especially magical when you visit... 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
The Nature of Healing
Experience the transformative power of art and nature! Saturday, April 5 – Sunday, May 18 The Nature of Healing is a group art exhibition featuring around 30 local artists. Co-curated... more
Western Reserve Herb Garden
The area is laid out as a formal knot garden, just like you’d see in England, and is home to over 3,500 herbs and plants, spread through several themed sections: The... more
Geis Terrace
Host all your get-togethers and garden parties on the welcoming Geis Terrace. It’s the perfect spot for an al fresco lunch with family or happy hour with friends. Seasonal plantings... more
