Sweet & Fun New Additions to the Children's Garden at Meijer Gardens!

Today I am writing about one of the most magical and fantastic places in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area which is designed especially for the children you love - although you will love this place as well . . . the Lena Meijer Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Today I want to let you know about two new additions to this wonderful area at Meijer Gardens  . . . 

• First - Mary's Ice Cream Parlor! Yes, the Children's Garden now has an Ice Cream Parlor just inside the gate - what could be better! Not only do they have the very delicious ice cream from Hudsonville Ice Cream, but they also have vegan ice cream from Love's Ice Cream - something for everyone. Combine tasty ice cream with retro ice cream parlor "vibes" and you will find these new additions make the Children's Garden - and all of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park better - and more tasty for sure!
• The Ice Cream Parlor isn't the only new thing in the Children's Garden - they added a fun play area featuring "The Big Girl" which is a combination of sculpture and play ground with a safe, impact-absorbing turf base for an inclusive play are for all children. The "Big Girl" is art from Tom Otterness - you may be familiar with his other sculpture at Meijer Gardens - Mad Mom!

When my grands were little, the Children's Garden was one of their favorite places to play and enjoy when they were at Meijer Gardens. They loved splashing in the water, playing with boats, and just having so much fun! As you are able to see from the photo, this area of the Children's Garden has a water feature which shows the five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) - you may be certain the children you bring with you to enjoy this will most absolutely end up wet! 

What I never realized before is the pavement around it is called the Mid-west plaza, with state boundaries and capitols! Look closely at the aerial photo above and you will be able to see it! There are so many more things for the children you love to enjoy in the Children's Garden - you will learn more about it at this link - be sure to bring your camera.

The second especially fun area at the Lena Meijer Children's Garden is found in a truly wonderful sculpture which shows a number of children playing and having fun together. In the middle there is a small "splash pad" and with the weather as warm as it is, I have noticed young children taking advantage of the opportunity to run and play in the water! So much fun for sure!

There are many more wonderful parts of the Lena Meijer Children's Garden - a boardwalk, sensory garden, log cabin - well, check this link for information on all of it and if you live in the area or will be visiting be sure to make time to take the young children you love to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park!

Oh, and by the way, one of my favorite photos of my grands at this special entrance for children, and was taken a number of years ago when they were little and were enjoying the Lena Meijer Children's Garden!

If you live near Grand Rapids be sure to add Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to your family's "to-do" list for this summer. If you do not live nearby, consider making Meijer Garden your summer destination this year - all these new additions to the Children's Garden PLUS Chihuly - what could be better!

Photo credits for the aerial view of the Ice Cream Parlor, Big Girl Playground, Great Lakes Garden, and the Children Playing Sculpture go to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.