If you think of botanical garden and picture beautiful gardens with labeled plants for a pleasant afternoon walk, you are missing a big part of the story. Today’s Botanical Gardens are home to many interactive plant exhibits and offer lots of hands-on learning. Many of them feature special Children’s Garden areas for little ones (and the young at heart) to frolic and learn a bit about plants by accident!

San Diego Botanic Garden

The 37 acres garden includes rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, alifornia native plants, Mediterranean climate landscapes, and a subtropical fruit garden. It also houses the Hamilton Children’s Garden, built in 2011. The music garden and tree house play areas make me jump for joy.

Thanks to orchidsandonions.org for the photos

Cleveland Botanical Garden: Hershey Children’s Garden

I am surprised I have not posted on this before. This is one of our favorite stops in Cleveland. This beautiful exhibit at the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s was installed in 1999. It has everything you could want; a spray and water play area, tree house, natural pond, live turtles, a maze, potting and planting area, loose parts play and much more.