Local Children’s Garden Offers Outdoor Activities for Kids
Local Children’s Garden Offers Outdoor Activities for Kids
5/23/08
Contact: Michelle Lavra
517-432-1555, ext. 156
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- An abundance of family gardening activities and programs will be offered this summer by the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens at Michigan State University.
June events at the gardens include the Garden Geocache Event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and a GPS unit, if they have one. For those without a GPS, one will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.
Celebrate Father’s Day (June 15) by bringing dad for a visit to the children’s gardens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free self-guided tour.
On June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, children are invited to dress up as their favorite garden creatures for the Butterflies and Bullfrogs Tea Party. Children can enjoy a cup of tea as well as many hands-on activities. The cost of this event is $5 per child.
Explore the fascinating world of birds during Feathered Friends Day June 22. From 10 a.m. to noon, Wild Birds Unlimited will be providing a birdwatching tour. Children will explore wildlife habitats, discover various bird species and create birdhouses. Admission is $5 per child.
Children can enjoy their favorite fairy tales during Stories in the Garden on June 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This event is free and is great for kids of all ages.
Eager young writers will discover more about the wonderful world of writing during the Garden Writers’ Workshop June 23-25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will be inspired by nature as they write poems, haikus, stories and much more in the garden. Local author Martin Brennan will share his experience as a writer and how he began his career. This event costs $24 for all three sessions or $9 a session and is offered to children ages 7 and up.
“Summer programs in the gardens are designed to attract families, and we want to make sure there is something for everyone,” said education coordinator Jessica Albright. “June is our kick-off month for these events, and we offer many options.”
To register for any of these events, call the 4-H Children’s Gardens at 517-256-9915 or register online at http://4hgarden.msu.edu/calendar. All event fees include one free parking token. Tokens are available at the parking booth.
Parking costs $3 per vehicle Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sign up for the Friends of the 4-H Children’s Gardens for just $36 and receive free parking all summer. Forms are available in the Information Station in the 4-H Children’s Gardens or online at http://www.mi4hfdtn.org/downloads/FriendsCGBroch.pdf.
Sign up for the garden event e-list by e-mailing garden4h@msu.edu to receive information on more garden events through e-mail.
A virtual tour of the outdoor 4-H Children’s Garden is available online at http://4hgarden.msu.edu/kidstour.
For more information, contact the education coordinator, Jessica Albright, at 517-355-5191, ext. 1-327, or garden4h@msu.edu.
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