It's not just for kids!

Click here for school/group programming

Special Events in the Children's Garden - free admission

Tough economic times shouldn't stop families from enjoying the garden and learning why green spaces are so important. Today's economy has also been very tough on Leila Arboretum Society, so please remember to support our nonprofit to show you value the earth, too. Donations are gratefully accepted.

10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

JUNE
12: Magic in the Garden
19: 7th Birthday Bash
26: Open for Self Guided Tours

JULY
10: Faerie Festival
17: Open for Self Guided Tours
24: Soakin’ & Splashin’ Saturday with Willard Library
31: Beautiful Butterflies

AUGUST
7: Groovy Garden Critters
14: Open for Self Guided Tours
21: Discovering Dinosaurs
28: Cooking & Canning Cornucopia

SEPTEMBER
25: Spectacular Scarecrows

OCTOBER
23: Spooky Science Saturday with Kingman Museum (11:00 – 5:00)

For more information about special event days, call Nancy Jones at (269) 969-0270 x 120.

Click here for information about the No Child Left Inside initiative. For a parent's guide to exploring nature with children, check out the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour. Or click here for more information on nature deficit disorder.

See how the Children's Garden gas grown in six years!

Kids, Curiosity and Connections
Plants affect every aspect of our lives because all living things are connected.The Children’s Garden is a one-acre site that makes this connection real through delightful, engaging guided programs or self-discovery. Plant-related activities in this fenced, easily accessible environment encourage kids to use all their senses to connect plants to the sciences, history, literature and the arts. The garden’s many Battle Creek and Michigan-themed features are kid magnets! The garden has a covered pavilion and separate restrooms, providing shelter for programs and private gatherings.

Discoveries to be made at the Children’s Garden

Cupola Science Plaza
Q. What is a cupola?
A. A cupola is a small structures on top of a building. Cupolas can be used to view long distances, aid ventilation or just provide an interesting ornament on a building.

The cupola at the Children's Garden once stood proudly atop a famous fieldstone sanitarium in Battle Creek where people could go to rest and recuperate in the early 1900s. Caring people gave it a new home, and today it is a fun place to gather in the garden to enjoy a snack, learn something new and make new friends. It is surrounded by four mini-gardens that share Battle Creek’s special link to the health-food industry.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Garden
Q. Where do peanut butter and jelly come from?
A. Peanut butter comes from peanuts and jelly is made from fruits, including strawberries and grapes. These foods grow in the Children’s Garden! If you come when the strawberries are ripe in June or the grapes are ripe in August, you can have a taste!

Healthy Me Area
Kids can make connections to the role that plants play in making their stomachs happy. The centerpiece of this area is a giant salad bowl garden with four mini gardens nearby.

Q. Mmmm. Good stuff goes into making a pizza. Do you know what it is? Who ate the missing slice of veggie pizza in our Pizza Garden?
A. We know, but we’re not telling! Come find out for yourself.

Q. What makes your soap and shampoo smell so good? It can’t be something from a plant, can it?
A. Yes, it can, and at the Spa Garden you can smell for yourself!

Q. Your parents tell you to eat your veggies because they are good for you. But do you know which vegetables are the most nutritious? Is broccoli on the list?
A. Come find out in our Top Ten Veggies Garden and eat up!

Q. The people who lived in Michigan a long time ago did not have prescriptions for pills or lotions when they felt sick or had an injury. What did they do to get well?
A. They used herbs and other plants, many of which we still use today. Some of them are right here in our Healing Herbs Garden.

Cereal Bowl Area
A visit to Battle Creek would not be complete without learning about cereal. Here children can see where cereal comes from and grind their own grains and corn.

Rain and Shine Garden
Q. Is it true that you can tell time with your body and the help of the sun?
A. Yes, it is. Try it and see in the Sundial Garden.

Balloon Overlook
Q. What does a hot air balloon have to do with a garden?
A. Plenty, when the garden is in Battle Creek, well known for its hot-air balloon events. Our replica of “Bob’s Cat” honors one of the city’s most famous balloons!

The Rot Zone
Q. Would you believe that worms and rotting fruits and veggies are important to our world, and even to our gardens?
A. Believe it or not, worms are wonderful! The Worm House is a favorite place for children visiting the gardens.

Many more areas for exploration and delightful discovery await you in the Children’s Garden. Come be captivated by the Butterfly Garden and learn about the lifecycle of these fluttering friends. Watch children squeal with glee to see plants that perform, look like animals, or have names from A to Z. There are plants that became a part of popular stories like Jack and the Beanstalk and even gardens that are made beautiful with stones, water and carefully chosen colors.

Have a private party in the Children’s Garden or Leila Arboretum!
Children’s Garden and Leila Arboretum sites are available for birthdays, ceremonies and private events for families, adults or children with adult supervision. Call to discuss arrangements for special events and see information under Grounds Rental.