Last summer, Franklin Park Conservatory opened a new Children's Garden. We typically would visit the Conservatory yearly to see the butterflies but this new garden finally prompted me to purchase a membership. We have been putting that membership to good use because the butterflies and garden are so much fun! The outdoor garden has tons of stuff for kids to do, including a "sandstone creek" for the kids to splash in and explore. On this particular trip, I didn't think to bring swimsuits. However, I always pack extra clothes so I told the kids that they could just get wet anyway. We can always dry off and change later!
They loved this water area! It is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. We explored the garden a little more that day. Laney ate the rest of the chocolate donut we had had for breakfast. Our last stop was the fairy garden, where you can help build fairy houses. They kids really delighted in this area especially with the gems. Will kept asking if fairies were real, but Eliana told him the only real fairy is the Tooth Fairy. We sure get the kids to believe some wild stuff...
These pictures are from our most recent visit with Uncle Roger and Aunt Hannah. The Conservatory has always featured glass artwork by Dale Chihuly (Indianapolis residents may be familiar with his glass sculpture in the Children's Museum). But recently they have incorporated even more of his art in a feature display. It was so beautiful! I'm not sure the kids appreciated it as much as the grown ups did. But we all had a good time.
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| Eliana (wearing a butterfly dress in honor of the butterflies in the conservatory) holding a butterfly! |
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| The kids with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Roger. Will refused to turn around for the picture and started waving his rear end at me... Note Laney is wearing a butterfly dress too! Also note the beautiful Chihuly glass in the background! |
We spent a long time playing outside in the water. I even remembered the swimsuits this time. After, the kids explored the float/sink pond, the birds nest, this shelter building area, and the raised balance beams.
It was a really hot and humid day. I can tell you, after several hours outside, I was ready for a break inside! We were really happy to spend the day with Roger and Hannah and enjoy this chance to be outside.
