The Magic of Children's Gardens

Exposure to nature helps kids learn important lessons they'll carry with them as they grow.

- By Bridget Shirvell

Watching my toddler run amok in flowers, nearly fall into a pond in search of a frog and bite off a piece of kale from the plant itself, I'm filled with joy at her freedom and her discoveries of the outdoors. No matter how busy the morning, no matter how many emails are waiting, just 30 minutes, 15 minutes or even five minutes in Ithaca Children's Garden (ICG) resets my balance (and hopefully tires her out).

“It's a very special thing to introduce a child to the wonder of their larger natural ecosystem in simple ways, says Ashley S. Lingerfelt, a licensed professional counselor based in Georgia.

For more than two decades, ICG has ensconced kids in nature, serving as an incredible resource for locals and visitors alike. “The spirit of free play that runs throughout the entire garden that invites children to be kids, unapologetically, is one of its most compelling facets, says former ICG executive director Erin Marteal.

1919

Kids in Nature

THEN GH welcomed spring with an illustration of a child enjoying the aroma of tulips. At the time, the idea of a children's garden was still novel.

NOW At Winterthur's Enchanted Woods, kids can explore the Tulip Tree House (shown) or sit in a giant bird's nest, proving that parents still want to connect kids with the natural world.

OUTDOOR LEARNING