The Gardens are ripe for discovery by children. Kids can use their imaginations every step of the way as they discover real and not-so-real creatures, delight unselfconsciously in the sensory experiences the Gardens offer, and learn quite a bit about Nature’s ways — without even trying. Our extraordinary Children’s Garden will open in 2009, but in the meantime, you’ll find that every one of our gardens is a children’s garden, every children’s program is an awakening, and every trail and sculpture and vista will enchant.

Below is our visitor map that includes some of the areas you’ll especially want to take in with your kids and grandkids. Descriptions follow the map. To learn more about children’s activities, visit the Calendar of Events and Programs.

The Fairy Village
An intricately woven twig fence beside the Shoreland Trail encloses a magical part of the Gardens — the Fairy Village. After they enter through an archway that’s just their size, children are invited to use their imagination to create homes for the wee folk who, it goes without saying, inhabit our forest. One sign instructs the young architects in environmentally sound building practices (no moss, flowers, or other living materials please), and another invites them to visit “The Gnome Depot” for building supplies they can use. They’ll be inspired by the fairy houses built by other children, and parents and grandparents are welcome to offer suggestions and maybe even help a little.

Events and Programs
Many of our special events and educational programs throughout the year are for children and families. Classes and workshops just for kids focus on many aspects of nature and reach out to children’s creativity, curiosity, and desire to learn.

At Storytime in the Forest, every week throughout the summer readers and storytellers take their young audiences to far-away places, or right around the corner, as they relate fascinating tales.

Special events such as the Fairy House Festival, Scarecrow Party and Frozen Turkey Hunt, to name just a few, are fun for all ages. We even offer a 5K run/walk in the summer and snowshoe hikes in the winter, and several week-long camps provide exciting activities for two age groups.

The Children’s Garden
In several years, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens will open the Children’s Garden, a place like none other. Many of the areas of this spacious garden will draw their themes from children’s books by authors with Maine roots. This is not a playground, but rather a highly imaginative place where children can delight in discovery and learning. It will offer an endlessly interesting array of natural and man-made elements to enliven and bring joy to children and the grown-ups who visit with them.

The Visitor Center – Something for All Ages
The Visitor Center offers a warm welcome to families. You will find exhibits of interest and a library that includes a collection of children’s books. In the spacious gift shop, you’ll have a chance to purchase souvenirs and gifts to take home, and the whole family can enjoy a snack or lunch in the café while viewing the gardens and activity outside through a circular window wall.

Click here to download the pdf.