The Kentucky Children’s Garden is a safe 1.85 acre outdoor learning environment designed to help children 2-10 years old discover plants and the environment.

 

There's an integrated combination of various “child-scaled” theme gardens and garden-like elements for experiential play: gardens planted and maintained by children, a small amphitheater for presentations, interactive educational exhibits, inter-connecting paths and comfortable benches.

 

Why a children’s garden?

• Today’s children have less direct contact with nature, poorer nutrition and spend more time in front of a television or computer screen.
• Gardening is a physical activity that can give them a reason to be outdoors and actives

Kentucky Children’s Garden can:

• Provide a place to learn with “hands-on” opportunities— and to have fun!
• Help develop an understanding of the environment and a love and respect for the Earth.
• Inspire kids, parents and teachers to learn about the importance of plants and how they affect the world.
• Provide a safe place to experience nature and discover the cycles of life.
• Provide motivation to try fresh fruits and vegetables, and other healthy foods to improve their attitudes and behaviors. About 16% of the nation’s youth are overweight.

Children should come to the garden ready for water play- shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty!!!

You can make a difference!
If you are interested in making a gift of appreciated stock or want further information contact:
Marcia Farris
Arboretum Director
859-257-6955

Brochure (PDF)

Download illustrated map of the garden (18.6

 

 

Have your birthday party in the Kentucky Children's Garden!!

Click Birthday Parties in the Kentucky Children for more information.

 

KCG Birthday Party Application

 

For questions or to schedule a birthday party, please call Emma @ 859-257-9339.

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Kentucky Children’s Garden to Get Three Exciting New Additions

Three awesome garden areas are coming to the Kentucky Children’s Garden this year. Beginning construction in late spring will be: an Environmental Stewardship Circle, a Transportation Garden and a Compass Rose. The additions will include new water features, an amphitheater, and connecting walkways. The construction brings to completion the Master Plan for the KCG created in 2004. These additions will be built in the open area just to the north (toward Alumni Dr.) of the existing butterfly garden, storage shed, and spider maze.

 

The Transportation Garden, developed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY, will feature a whimsical miniature railroad where children can learn how plants and plant products travel both naturally by air and water, and by varieties of mechanical transportation. Applied Imagination has created charming gardens around the U.S. featuring trains traveling through magical natural environments, including recent displays at Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory and at the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington DC. (See more about Applied Imagination at: www.appliedimagination.biz)

 

The goal of the Stewardship Circle is to help children become stewards of our environment. It will include a small amphitheater and demonstration area where children can experiment with and observe the effects of erosion and learn about water quality issues.

 

The Compass Rose will include a compass built into concrete where children can learn directions and observe the passage of time by following shadows from the sun.

 

The exciting new construction is made possible by generous individual gifts to The Arboretum as well as funds from the Galas, teas and other public events.

 

Kentucky Children's Garden Admisssion Feeds and Hours of Operation*

 

$3.00/person (under 2 free)

$10/day (up to 5 people)

 

$50 Season Household Membership (good for five people on one pass)

 

KCG Membership Brochure

 

$250 Childtime Membership (good from birth-12 years old plus one adult)

 

*KCG will be CLOSED during inclement weather and is ALWAYS CLOSED on Monday and Tuesdays.

 

JUNE HOURS

Wednesday-Saturday

9:30a-4:30p

Activity @ 10a & 1p

Sundays 1p-5p

Activity @ 2p & 4p

 

1st-  Grow a Giant

2nd- Wiggly Worms
5th - Flower Power
6th-  Ant Parade
7th - Story Time

8th - Pioneer Games
9th - Recycled Bank
12th- Symbols of KY
13th - Mud Pie
14th- Story Time
15th- Natural Dye
16th- Tracks
19th- Bird Nest

20th –Collage
21st-  Story Time
22nd- Handy Art
23rd- Field Study Fun
26th -Tree Walk
27th -Recycling Relay

28th- Fourth Friday—Native Americans & KY History 10-1
29th- Pond Exploration
30th- Beginner Birding

 

JULY HOURS

Wednesday-Saturday

9:30a-4:30p

Activity @ 10a & 1p

Sundays 1p-5p

Activity @ 2p & 4p

 

 

Junior Master Gardener Summer Camp (Ages 8-12)

Monday-Friday, August 5-9,  9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Junior Master Gardeners will develop a life-long enthusiasm for environmental stewardship. They will learn practical gardening skills, identify native species, delve into horticulture, and much more! Please pre-register. Cost: $50 (FOA $45)

 

Insect Safari at The Arboretum: Moonlit Edition

August 30, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Join us for family-friendly night of insects, spiders, and science! The bugs begin at 7 p.m. when the University of Kentucky Entomology Department presents insect-themed games, activities, and displays. Brave souls can also try their "hand" at the live insect petting zoo, where they will find tarantulas, scorpions, giant roaches, and other creatures. Then, when darkness falls, UK's insect specialists will lead you onto the trails of The Arboretum for a nighttime insect safari. Be sure to bring a flashlight! Cost: $1 per person

 

Kentucky Children’s Garden YOUTH CORPS
Know any high school student who loves to work with kids and love the outdoors? Invite them to join The Kentucky Children’s Garden Youth Corps. Contact emma.trester-wilson@uky.edu for more information and an application.