After a snowy, isolating winter, families are more than ready to get outside to enjoy the arriving spring weather. These six Delaware Valley spots with plenty of open space to explore are particularly great for kids. While all of these gardens are currently open, some do have partial closures and COVID-19 restrictions in place, so check their websites before making your plans.
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-2924
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve’s 134 acres include meadows, ponds and woods as well as 700 native Pennsylvania plant species. You can find a helpful calendar online noting what plants are in season throughout the year plus a guide to spots in the Preserve that are perfect for young explorers.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 388-1000
Longwood Gardens is a sprawling botanical garden covering over 1,000 acres. Open year-round, the indoor and outdoor gardens always have flowers and plants in season. The Gardens have particular spots geared towards kids, including treehouses, a topiary garden with sculpted shrubs and a children’s corner.
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
(609) 586-0616
In addition to gardens filled with flowers, trees and ponds, Grounds for Sculpture is also home to nearly 300 contemporary sculptures that are sure to enchant visitors of all ages. Downloadable “Explorers Guides” and a “Sculpture Hunt” packet encourage young visitors to engage with this unique combination of art and nature.
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063
(610) 566-9134
With 650 acres of woodlands, 17 miles of hiking trails, seasonally-changing gardens and historic buildings, Tyler Arboretum has something for everyone. With the specific intention of educating people about nature, the Arboretum welcomes children of all ages to explore all it has to offer.
Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-5281
Located in southwest Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden is a public park and National Historic Landmark that welcomes everyone to explore its nature and history. From the Schuylkill River banks to the meandering walking paths to the carefully-tended gardens, there is much for people of all ages to enjoy within the Garden’s 50 acres.
Welkinweir
1368 Prizer Road, Pottstown, PA 19465
(610) 469-4990
This oasis with wetlands, meadows, woodlands and an arboretum also has a corner just for children. A bird bath, beehive and pollinator-friendly plants make Welkinweir’s Children’s Garden a perfect place for kids to experience a wide variety of nature on a small scale.
