Garfield Park - the Children's Garden

Garfield park is close to our home and an excellent source of free and cheap entertainment for kids in Indianapolis. Last weekend a friend suggested we check out the plant sale there. I had seen the promos but didn't think the kids would be that into it. But my husband is into gardening now and I figured might get some useful advice from the "master gardeners".

Turned out they were also having kids do planting. My boys thoroughly enjoyed digging holes, sticking some flowers in them and watering. We went to check on them yesterday and, good and bad, a few have survived. They also love eating the strawberries growing in the back of the garden, though I think the picking is more fun. Jack bought a bunch of plastic pots for $2 and they told him he could dig up some strawberry plants growing on the outside. I'm not sure if they are going to make it and keep fruiting but they are planted outside now.

Garfield Park, while it has suffered a decline over recent years, is still a virtual gold mine for kids' activities, especially in the summer.

Every Thursday in the summer there is a story time at 3pm in the Conservatory. They also do activities for young kids like Jungle Tales, which costs $2 per kid and some for older kids. The gardens are free and good for running around in.

The Arts Center is also now doing walk-in art activities during summer open hours (most afternoons). There will also be the big pirate sand building going on starting mid-July. It costs a little to participate in the sculpting but I imagine nothing to watch it go up!

Shelby Library, right next to the conservatory, is having a Summer Reading Kickoff this Saturday, June 6, from 11-3 I think.

There are also free movies at libraries and parks like Garfield too all summer.

Find more and about other parks at
www.indyparks.org