Located on the National Mall, minutes from the US Capitol, the United States Botanic Garden is a family-friendly living plant museum steeped in history!
Established in 1820, it’s the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States, and it highlights the crucial role plants play in the ecosystem. Visitors can explore a collection of more than 9,500 accessions, totaling about 44,000 plants! Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
The Botanic Garden is great for young visitors, too! Kids are invited to see what’s in bloom, dig, plant, water, touch, and smell the plants in the outdoor Children’s Garden, featuring:
Discovery Platforms
Kids can enjoy a series of terraced platforms that form a climbing structure, with overhead arching aluminum posts that mimic the architectural style of the Conservatory. Interactive panels on the platforms demonstrate the diversity and usefulness of plants.
Stations
Throughout the garden, children will enjoy watering and planting stations with child-sized digging tools and watering cans. Look for plant containers near the tools so children can plant themselves!
Kid-Sized Plants
Children are invited to keep an eye out for small fruiting plants such as bananas, apples, and figs.
Keep Cool
The Children’s Garden boasts motion-activated misting poles.
Tunnel
This special tunnel, supported by a metal arbor, grows kiwifruit vines that enclose a tunnel large enough to walk through.
Shaded seating for kids and grown-ups is available throughout the garden. The Children’s Garden is open seasonally, from spring until fall — approximately May through October.
Details:
Website
Dates:
Open Year-Round, Daily
Children’s Garden Open Seasonally, Approximately May-Oct
Location:
United States Botanic Garden ∙ Washington, DC
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
