Botanical Gardens opens newly constructed interactive play space for kids & families

Submitted by the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomes the community to enjoy a newly constructed indoor play space for kids and families. The play space, presented by Wegmans, is an interactive exhibit that encourages children and their caretakers to explore, learn and discover the important connections between people, plants and pollinators. Features in the play space include interactive and educational signage, imaginative play stations, hands-on activities, busy boards and more. The exhibit is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and is included with regular admission to the Botanical Gardens.

The play space is filled with opportunities for fun and learning for kids and their caretakers. The former children's garden has completely transformed into an interactive exhibit that encourages play, movement and learning for young minds to grow and explore. Each play station within the exhibit is designed to teach kids about bees and pollinators from around the world through hands-on fun. With stations such as “Flip and Find” and “Count the Critters,” children and families will have the opportunity to become pollinators by moving oversized pollen between flowers; design and build their own blooms with fun shapes; and stack honeycomb blocks while learning how bees live, pollinate and make honey. A “Honey Hut” market also provides a space for imaginative play where children can pretend to sell bee and honey products that show the impact of pollinators in peoples’ daily lives. Among many more play stations and features, the play space also offers seating and tables for themed activities as well as space for stroller and wagon parking.

(Photos courtesy of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens)

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The new play space offers the community a dedicated space for kids to play, move and learn when they come to visit the Botanical Gardens. The venue team explains that, through play, kids build critical thinking, creativity and social skills, while developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. Parents and caretakers can look forward to spending a day at the Botanical Gardens with the added fun of the play space among the additional greenhouses filled with plant collections from around the world.

"This new indoor play space creates more fun at our Botanical Gardens and will provide a place for children to play, learn and connect with the importance of pollinators in our everyday lives," said President and CEO Erin Grajek. “This is another step toward our exciting expansion and renovation project, and brings us closer to fulfilling our mission to deepen the connection between people and plants through beautiful gardens and extraordinary experiences.”

Visit the Botanical Gardens website to purchase tickets or explore upcoming exhibits, events and shows.