Welcome to the Children's Garden & Art Center! Enter a world of make-believe where fairies dance, hobbits work, pirates sail the high seas and Snuffy our resident dragon keeps a watchful eye over the garden. We encourage you to explore, imagine and play in the dirt, but please do not disturb, harm or destroy any of the plants or sculptures while visiting. Preserving the garden's natural beauty and keeping a wildlife habitat for our animal friends is what makes it so MAGICAL! The Children's Garden was created to remind children and adults about how precious each piece of nature is and to experience the magic of MOTHER NATURE!
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to The Community Foundation of Sarasota County for awarding The Children's Garden with THREE wonderful grants from The Giving Challenge 2018.
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2018 AWARDS:
*Best Photo *Best Community Event *Best Overall Campaign We are so honored to be a part of this special Giving Event in our Community! |
SUMMER HOURS REMINDER:
Starting June 1st, The Garden will be closing at 4pm Tuesday - Friday. We will remain open until 5pm on the weekends & closed on Mondays.
Starting June 1st, The Garden will be closing at 4pm Tuesday - Friday. We will remain open until 5pm on the weekends & closed on Mondays.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SUMMER CAMP!!
Nature fun awaits you at our Summer Camp! There is a new adventure everyday and the wonders of Mother Nature to explore. We encourage your child's imagination, we foster creativity and we allow for make-believe! We have FOUR new weeks of Summer camp in June! Choose from our different camps below! PLEASE NOTE: All children must be 5-12 years old.
Nature fun awaits you at our Summer Camp! There is a new adventure everyday and the wonders of Mother Nature to explore. We encourage your child's imagination, we foster creativity and we allow for make-believe! We have FOUR new weeks of Summer camp in June! Choose from our different camps below! PLEASE NOTE: All children must be 5-12 years old.
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GNOME SWEET HOME June 25th - 29th (9:30 AM - 1:30 PM) Where is our Gnome hiding today? Is it in the "Teaching Garden" for our planting day, in "Fairy Land" for tea & cake, or on "The Pirate Ship" for a swashbuckling adventure? Each day our Gnome will be our enchanting inspiration for camp fun. Daily Fairy inspired crafts, Gnome Juice & snacks, and guaranteed Elf fun! PLEASE CALL THE GARDEN IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS CAMP WEEK AT (941)330-1711 THANKS! |
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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU DAD'S OUT THERE!
Celebrate Father's Day out in nature at The Children's Garden on Sunday, June 17th! All dad's get into the Garden for $5+Tax. Go on a clue hunt with your kids to find your sweet treat! We will be open from 10am - 5pm!
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Whimsical Woodland Fairy Festival
Sunday, June 24th from 10am - 2pm
*This event is included in regular admission. (Free For Garden Members)
Sunday, June 24th from 10am - 2pm
*This event is included in regular admission. (Free For Garden Members)
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Schedule of Activities:
9:45 AM - Doors Open. Decorate your own Magical Fairy Wand in our Painted Bird Art Gallery! 10:30 AM - Embark on an enchanted scavenger hunt to find your goodie bag with sweet treats & your Woodland Fairy/Elf Name! 11:30 AM - Arts & Crafts in the Garden! Dress your Fairy with flowers & nature finds! 12 PM - Fairy Folklore & Fairy House making in our Outdoor Amphitheater! 1 PM - Let's make Fairy Soup & Bubble Wands! |
Join us at The Children's Garden for our Whimsical Woodland Fairy Festival on Sunday, June 24th to celebrate International Fairy Day!! This event is FREE for Garden Members and included in regular admission for non-members. Doors open at 9:45 am.
Make-believe & imaginations will be brought to life as we explore our enchanted garden where Fairies, Elves & Gnomes roam! Fairy inspired crafts & creative play all day long! Experience the healing power of nature as you stroll through our magical garden! *We encourage you to come dressed in your favorite fairy attire anytime between 9:45am - 2pm!
VENDORS: Maisy The Book Lady, Outward Spiral, and Young Living Oils!
Make-believe & imaginations will be brought to life as we explore our enchanted garden where Fairies, Elves & Gnomes roam! Fairy inspired crafts & creative play all day long! Experience the healing power of nature as you stroll through our magical garden! *We encourage you to come dressed in your favorite fairy attire anytime between 9:45am - 2pm!
VENDORS: Maisy The Book Lady, Outward Spiral, and Young Living Oils!
Dragon Hunt
Saturday, July 28th at 10am!
*This event is Free for Garden Members & Included in Regular Admission for non-Members.
Saturday, July 28th at 10am!
*This event is Free for Garden Members & Included in Regular Admission for non-Members.
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Once upon a time a Magical Realm was filled with Dragons! We think they have landed at The Children's Garden so on Saturday, July 28th we are off on a ROARING adventure to find hidden Dragon Eggs!! BUT FIRST, we must make our "Fruity Oops" necklaces to take with us on our hunt! This will give us magical strength if we get tired. We will start our Dragon Hunt at 10 AM sharp by gathering in our Outdoor Amphitheater to listen to a Dragon Tale and meet with our Master Dragon Trainer to learn about these Mythical Creatures! A prize will be presented to the Knight who finds the Magical Golden Dragon Egg!
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Doors Open at 9:45am!! We will begin at 10 AM sharp, so please make sure you arrive early to join in on the fun because once all the eggs are found, the hunt will be over!! Pack a lunch and play in the Garden afterwards.
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Mermaid & Pirate Party
Saturday, August 11th at 2pm!
*This event is by Registration & Pre-Payment Only!
*Please RSVP below or by calling the garden directly (941) 330-1711.
*Once tickets are sold out, we will be full as space is limited!
Saturday, August 11th at 2pm!
*This event is by Registration & Pre-Payment Only!
*Please RSVP below or by calling the garden directly (941) 330-1711.
*Once tickets are sold out, we will be full as space is limited!
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Mermaid or Pirate, which will ye' be? Join us for a cool adventure under the sea! Calling all mermaids and pirates for a swashbuckling time at The Children's Garden! Starfish wand making for mermaids, cutlass creations for pirates, snacks from the sea including, shark's teeth sandwiches, fish & chips (Goldfish), pearl cupcakes and ocean water! A treasure hunt to find loot bags will delight each mermaid and pirate! This event is by registration and pre-payment only as space is limited. Please RSVP Below!
Ticket Prices:
$20 + Tax - Garden Members
$25 + Tax - Non-Members
*Each child must have their own ticket! (One Adult will be allowed for each ticket purchased. Any extra adults or children will need their own ticket.) Please give us a call if you have any questions!
Ticket Prices:
$20 + Tax - Garden Members
$25 + Tax - Non-Members
*Each child must have their own ticket! (One Adult will be allowed for each ticket purchased. Any extra adults or children will need their own ticket.) Please give us a call if you have any questions!
NON - MEMBERS RSVP HERE:
GARDEN MEMBERS RSVP HERE:
Weekly Schedule
Keep your kids connected to nature & enjoy all of our art, gardening & nature classes each week. Each class is designed for kids of all ages !
*All classes are parent supervised.
Monday - CLOSED
Tuesday - "Art Rocks"
Every Tuesday from 11:00 AM - Noon the kiddo's will make a fun art project inspired by nature.
Every Tuesday from 11:00 AM - Noon the kiddo's will make a fun art project inspired by nature.
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Wednesday - "Munch, Crunch, Grow Your Lunch!"
Come enjoy the magic of gardening every Wednesday at 11:00 AM. Each week we learn about a vegetable or edible herb for you to plant. Take your seed home to watch grow!
Come enjoy the magic of gardening every Wednesday at 11:00 AM. Each week we learn about a vegetable or edible herb for you to plant. Take your seed home to watch grow!
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Thursday - "Thrifty Thrusdays"
Discounted Admission Prices All Day!
Adults: $8 + Tax
Children 3-12 y/o: $4 + Tax
Children 2 y/o and younger: FREE
Discounted Admission Prices All Day!
Adults: $8 + Tax
Children 3-12 y/o: $4 + Tax
Children 2 y/o and younger: FREE
Friday - "Nature Explorers"
Every Friday at 11:00 AM Sharp! Let's observe the Wonders of Mother Nature in our own backyard. With nature baskets in hand, we will be off on an adventure to discover and explore. A nature craft will tie our learning all together. Each Friday will be a different theme, so check back for each weekly exploration.
Every Friday at 11:00 AM Sharp! Let's observe the Wonders of Mother Nature in our own backyard. With nature baskets in hand, we will be off on an adventure to discover and explore. A nature craft will tie our learning all together. Each Friday will be a different theme, so check back for each weekly exploration.
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Saturday Art Classes
*Our special Saturday Art Classes are by reservation & pre-payment so that we know how many kids will be attending. You may RSVP by purchasing tickets below or by calling the garden directly.
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1st Sat of the month - "Wild Crafting For The Wild Child"
11 AM - Noon in our Painted Bird Art Gallery. Let your imagination run wild while creating a fun project using nature finds from the garden. Most of our projects are made using nature or recycled materials. Cost is $5 +Tax (not including garden admission).
11 AM - Noon in our Painted Bird Art Gallery. Let your imagination run wild while creating a fun project using nature finds from the garden. Most of our projects are made using nature or recycled materials. Cost is $5 +Tax (not including garden admission).
2nd Sat of the month - "The Fairy Ring...Fairies, Elves, & Magical things"
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - An enchanting hour of make believe entwined in nature with fairy folklore, magical crafts, and pixie play. Included: Story time & folklore, a fairy craft to take home, Gnome Juice, & pixie dust! Cost per class is is $10 + Tax for non-members (not including garden admission) and $8 + Tax for garden members.
Our Next Fairy Ring Class will be held on:
Saturday, June 9th (Craft: Fairy Soup & Elf Bubble Wands)
*Purchase Tickets by scrolling up to the top of the page!
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - An enchanting hour of make believe entwined in nature with fairy folklore, magical crafts, and pixie play. Included: Story time & folklore, a fairy craft to take home, Gnome Juice, & pixie dust! Cost per class is is $10 + Tax for non-members (not including garden admission) and $8 + Tax for garden members.
Our Next Fairy Ring Class will be held on:
Saturday, June 9th (Craft: Fairy Soup & Elf Bubble Wands)
*Purchase Tickets by scrolling up to the top of the page!
*NEW* 3rd Saturday of the month - Open Studio Art Play
10:00 AM - Noon - Open Studio Art Play is NEW!! Each class your children are invited to explore new materials and supplies to get their creative juices flowing. One class might be watercolors, the next maybe clay! Using our imaginations is so much fun! Projects will be displayed around the art studio for inspiration, but let's see what your kiddo's can create on their own. With parent's support and an art facilitator standing by for encouragement - this class is great for your little artist's independence!
We would like to thank the Bety N. Giles Charitable Foundation Inc. for awarding The Children's Garden a $1,500 grant. Bety Giles loved children and gardening! We are honored to be a recipient of this beautiful gift!
We would like to thank our community for voting
The Children's Garden a Finalist for best Children's Attractions for 2018!
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Check Out Some Of Our
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The Children's Garden & Art Center is where the magic and fun begins!
Explore! Imagine! Make-Believe!
Nestled just north of downtown Sarasota, a hidden gem waits to be explored. The Children's Garden & Art Center is a two acre garden that is both whimsical and enchanting. Take a look at our map and see what's inside!
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Just like "Alice", kids and adults alike will feel as if they have fallen down a rabbit's hole to "Wonderland"! Magic begins at the yellow brick road where entering the jasmine covered tunnel "The Black Pearl" awaits for little pirates to set sail, the Amazing Maze turns and twists down paths of intrigue and the Fairy Garden welcomes all fairies and elves for tea under the mushrooms.
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Down the winding path you will find the Monster Garden where our giant green dragon "Snuffy" resides with her other fun & unusual monster friends.
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The 3 little pigs dare any big bad wolf to blow their houses down in our Butterfly Garden. Next door is our Caterpillar Cottage which hosts lots of birthday parties and celebrations with it's "Snow White" theme and twinkling lights.
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Nature, gardening and art classes are taught weekly at the garden to nurture and teach children the beauty in Mother Nature. Whether it is our "Art Rocks" class, our "Munch Crunch Grow Your Lunch" class or our "Nature Explorers" class to name a few, our mission is to keep kids connected to nature at The Children's Garden & Art Center.
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Sarasota's #1 Place For Having Your Child's Birthday / Celebration
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The Children's Garden is an enchanting place to host your child's birthday party. Where else can kids dress up in costumes and make believe in a safe, multi- themed & natural environment?
There are many whimsical and interactive themes available to host, including a Fairy Tea, A Pirate Party, a Can You Dig It Party and more! More Info... |
Discover one of Sarasota's best kept secrets, where the children inside all of us can come out to play, explore and imagine the possibilities of wonderment and fun! Check out our calendar.
The Children's Garden was created in 2003 by Joan Marie Condon who wanted a special place for children to come and leave the electronic world behind and discover new adventures in the natural world. Together with her husband David, artisan sons Ray and Roy and daughter Robin Fulk, The Children's Garden is a small piece of wonder, a place for creative play and to find magic in Mother Nature.
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The Children's Garden & Art Center became a non-profit 501 C (3) and public charitable organization in the fall of 2009. We do yearly fundraisers for "All Faith's Food Bank", the "Humane Society of Sarasota" and "Make-A-Wish Foundation". Our wish is to continue our education classes in hopes of teaching our children to become good stewards of the earth. Help support this safe haven for children of all ages!
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