Spring break season is here, and that means parents and grandparents are looking for ways to help children get the wiggles out — or give everyone a break from screen time. The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is here to help.
The Arboretum offers activities across our 1,200-acre public gardens. It’s a chance for people of all ages to get outside and reconnect with nature after a cold, gray winter.
And did you know general admission to the Arboretum is free for children ages 15 and younger when accompanied by an adult? Here are our favorite activities happening this March:
- Last Chance to See the Spring Flower Show! The Flower Show closes for the year March 16. Get in those last deep sniffs of spring flowers and plants indoors until flowers start blooming outdoors. Keep the kiddos engaged with a Woodland Friends Hunt.
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
- Take a Hike. The Arboretum has more than 12 miles of trails that wind through the woods and prairies, past ponds and over a bog! See striking vistas only visible in winter — they’ll soon disappear from view for another year as the trees leaf out (for gorgeous different views). Staff work quickly to clear paved trails after the snow falls. Our Three-Mile Walk was designed to meet accessibility standards. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis.
Photo by Lily Smith
- Take a Drive. Three-Mile Drive offers a similar, lovely experience for drivers that can include your choice of stops at collections, gardens and exhibits across the grounds.
- Get Lost and Found. The Maze Garden is beautiful — and challenging fun — in all seasons. The unique and innovative space lures visitors to choose between two living puzzles, one specially designed for small children that can be viewed from a lookout tower and another with more dead ends for older explorers.
- Art All Around. The outdoor Harrison Sculpture Garden is a striking place to visit in any weather, featuring 26 sculptures set off by trees and sky. The Harrison Sculpture Garden is also the starting point of the Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk augmented reality art exhibition by artist Marlena Myles. More sculptures are hidden like treasure across the Arboretum grounds. Indoors, the Reedy Gallery and Cafe Gallery feature rotating exhibitions of nature-inspired art. There’s a bit of time left to catch Birds and Botanicals, which features sculptural bird art, and Our Favorite Places: Arboretum Photographers Society Show through March 16. “Fragmented Beauty” with works by the Minnesota Mosaic Guild runs throughout March.
Photo by Lily Smith
- Get Your Garden Gear On! The Gift & Garden Store has gardening tools, outdoor art and books on gardening and nature-related topics galore. Visitors can also find nature-inspired fashion and jewelry. The children’s section features fun toys, books and activities that explore nature and science.
- It’s StoryTime! Celebrate plants and nature and foster a love for books and reading as we explore the Andersen Horticultural Library's vast catalog of children’s books. StoryTime is every Thursday and the last Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m.
Photo by Sara Pace
- Spark Your Curiosity. Our Discovery Booth on the Oswald Visitor Center (OVC) balcony can help inspire a new appreciation for nature in children and adults alike. On March 13, start your garden with seed plantings you can take home. On National Learn About Butterflies Day on March 14, learn about butterflies and do a butterfly-related craft. On March 20, we’ll explore pollinators with microscopes.
Photo by Lily Smith
- Coloring Nature. The Great Hall features a coloring table with pages that celebrate nature themes such as flowers, birds and butterflies. Or color pages replicating rare books and seed packets at the Library.
- Go on an Adventure. Pick up a kids map at the Visitor Center to find fun destinations such as the Green Heron Pond loop. Or check out a Sprout Pack at the Membership Desk. Sprout Packs for ages 3 to 13 are filled with books, activity cards, a compass and even binoculars.
Photo by Lily Smith
- Become a Busy Bee. Tour the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center, where you can see pollinator specimens. The kids corner has books, games and pollinator hand puppets.
- Get the Wiggles Out. If kids 5 and under have any energy left, the Green Play Yard features three areas for different ages, including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. A peek-a-boo wall, pull-up stumps, hopping stumps and a playhouse are just part of the fun. Visit again when it turns green outside, and discover all the additional activities mud and grass can bring.
For more spring break activities, browse kid and family-friendly activities or check out the full list of Arboretum events, classes and art exhibitions.
Cover photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis