It really is a magical space. There are plants in every color of the rainbow, and in the background you can hear squeals of delight, splashes of water, ringing of chimes and other sounds of happy adults and kids finding treasures around every corner of the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens. Nestled between a parking lot and train tracks and tucked into a greenhouse section on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, visitors have called the area “the most creative half acre in America” and “a magical place of learning.”
The 4-H Children’s Gardens feature hundreds of different kinds of plants – and just as many colors, textures and scents.
Photo Credit: Evan Lownds
Themes like the Teddy Bear and Animals Garden are familiar to kids and encourage them to play among the plants.
Photo Credit: Evan Lownds
The sound of excited children enjoying the garden is music to the ears – especially when they’re jumping on the Dance Chimes.
Photo Credit: Evan Lownds
Cross over the Monet Bridge to enjoy the shade of the willow (and figure out where you want to explore next).
Photo Credit: Evan Lownds
This theme garden teaches kids that plants literally come in every color of the rainbow.
Photo Credit: Evan Lownds
And it’s all true. While the gardens are small in size – just over half an acre outside and 1,500 square feet inside – they’re pretty big when it comes to engaging kids. And talk about inspiration! In just one visit, you’ll get all kinds of ideas on how to transform small garden spaces into areas of wonder. If you’ve ever been there, you know exactly what I mean.
First and foremost, the 4-H Children’s Gardens are just that – gardens. Plants are everywhere. They fill the beds, spill onto the walkways and even plug some of the cracks in the cement. The scents and sensations are amazing. Brush against plants as you walk, and their fragrances fill the air. There are so many ways to enjoy them. (A favorite is to find one to sit under and just talk, relax and figure out what spot to explore next!)
In this special place for kids, it’s very OK to touch the plants – and even play with them. Sensitive plants almost beg you to feel their leaves so they can show you their “disappearing act.” Eyeball plants gawk right back at ya and watch over everyone in the garden. The aromas of chocolate mint beckon visitors to “please smell me.” And the colors will bowl you over, too! There are creeping thyme flowers the exact same purple as the seats they’re planted under. And the daisies can’t help make you pause to think, “She loves me … she loves me not.” There are literally hundreds of different plants that make this group of gardens such a delightful place to be.
But as you’ve probably already suspected, there’s a lot more to the 4-H Children’s Gardens than just plants. The space really connects to kids through the many themed areas designed with them in mind. There’s the Teddy Bear and Animals Garden – complete with topiary momma bear – and plants that all have animal names, like dandelion, snapdragon, lamb’s ears and spider flower. The ABC Kinder Garden is filled with plants that start with every letter of the alphabet from Alyssum to Zinnia. The Cereal Bowl Garden – round like a giant cereal bowl – has a millstone as part of the sidewalk and is filled with plants that make up the foods you eat for breakfast, including corn for cornflakes, wheat for Wheaties®, oats for oatmeal and, of course, sugar beets!
Hungry? A stop in the Pizza Garden is a feast for the eyes. As you might guess, it’s shaped like a giant pizza and features the plants used to make this favorite food. There’s wheat for the crust, tomatoes, peppers, pineapple, chives, basil and oregano. (The only thing missing is a cow for cheese.) It’s enough to make you hungry for pizza any time of the day or night! Just a few feet away is the beautiful Butterfly Garden, where you walk atop the body of a giant butterfly. The wings are filled with butterfly-attracting plants that lure the pretty creatures to the garden all summer long. And there’s lots more to see, too – like the My Favorite Foods Garden, Rainforest in My Kitchen, Around the World Herb Garden and Harry’s Herbology Garden.
As you stroll around, you and your kids are sure to notice all the other cool, interactive stuff throughout. You can climb atop a sheep statue and have your picture taken, touch the globe in the Small World Garden, weave stems in the Cloth and Color Garden, cross over the Monet bridge, sit under the snake willow in the Bog Garden, make the frogs squirt water at the Merry-Go-Round Fountains, watch fish in the pond, get lost in the Alice in Wonderland Maze and make music on the Dance Chimes. Go to the indoor garden, and you can sit in the Garden Tunnel or visit the Follow Your Nose Garden. You can even cross a miniature Mackinaw bridge as you go through the Michigan Garden!
Even though there are over 75 different theme areas to see, you never tire of finding what’s new around the bend. Your mind just keeps thinking, “That’s a cool idea! I could do that at home! I need to try that!” And you can’t help leaving inspired to bring plants and kids together in new and exciting ways.
If you’ve already visited this amazing site, please come again! And if you haven’t had the pleasure yet, put Michigan on your family’s list of places to go. Your kids will thank you for it. After all, a stop at the fanciful 4-H Children’s Gardens will nurture your family’s curiosity, wonder and imagination – and give you all fantastic ideas on how to make your own back yard a more magical place.
