Plan Your Visit

WHAT IS THE DOWNING CHILDREN'S GARDEN?                                                                                                    

The Downing Children's Garden is a safe and engaging learning environment where children can be surrounded by plants and discover the joys of being in a garden. It is first and foremost a garden, with plant material selected for its role in the garden, its texture, smell or its fun name! The Garden is also an art gallery, with original works of art that complement nature or that serve a functional, fun purpose. Plus, it is a place for supervised outdoor play, with areas for reading, writing, creative expression, crawling, digging, etc. The Downing Children's Garden is primarily designed for children ages 2-10, but many elements will appeal to children of all ages.   

GARDEN MANNERS        

• Our number one rule is that you must have a good time in the Downing Children's Garden!
• We ask that you supervise your children at all times to ensure their safety.    
• Remember the "One Finger Rule." To protect plant material from damage, please touch it with one finger. 
• Please leave flowers for others to enjoy.
• Help take care of the Garden- Please stay on the pathways so the flowers, trees & shrubs aren't squished!   
• Please do not run through the Downing Children's Garden...no one likes skinned knees.
• Rocks and rockwalls are not meant for climbing! 
• Please place all trash and recyclables in the appropriate containers.
• Please return all toys, tools and materials to the places that you found them.
• Water features (stream, fountain, pond) are not for swimming or wading.

PARENTAL SUPERVISION                                                                                                                                        

Because this is a Garden designed to encourage families to discover together, we ask that parents explore alongside their children. We require one adult to be in attendance with every five children.

GUIDED TOURS                                                                                                                                                            

Guided tours and unguided group visits are available by reservation. For the safety of our visitors, one adult must accompany every five children. For group reservations, please contact Karla Jahn at 316-264-0448, ext. 110 or education@botanica.org.

CLASSROOM PROGRAMS

Classroom programs are also available for school groups in the Downing Children's Garden. Programs for K-5th grade include: "How Does Your Garden Grow," "Treemendous," "Monarch Week," and more, and are tied into Kansas Curriculum Standards. For a complete listing of classroom programs, please visit the education section of our website. To schedule a classroom program, call Karla Jahn at 316-264-0448, ext. 110 or education@botanica.org.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES                                                                                                                                                  

Birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays in the Party Barn on the Cargill Children's Farm. Barnyard Bashes include admission for up to 14 people, use of the Party Barn for 90 minutes, birthday cake and beverages, party favors for each child, tableware and utensils and time for discovery in the Downing Children's Garden. The package price is $210, $175 for Botanica members. Additional guests are $8 each. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE  

You are welcome to bring food and beverage into the Downing Children's Garden, we just ask that you clean up after yourself and put trash/recyclables into the appropriate container. There are two water fountains in the Downing Children's Garden. Limited snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the Farmers' Market and in The Gift Garden, or at the vending machines in the main Lobby.