Garden Variety
Super Sprouts Garden Club
Highfield Discovery Garden
in Glenwood Gardens
10397 Springfield Pike
Club meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m.,
through October
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.;
Sunday: 12–5 p.m.
Looking for a hands-on, whimsical adventure for your kids that’s just as fun as it is educational? Let me introduce you to one of our favorite Friday finds: Super Sprouts Garden Club at the Highfield Discovery Garden in Glenwood Gardens!
Last Friday, we packed up snacks and sunscreen and met my friend Rebecca and her girls for a morning of nature-themed fun. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
The morning started inside the Garden Workshop, where the kids cozied up on a rug for storytime. The leader read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, and somehow managed to hold the attention of a lively group of preschoolers, including my two-year-old, Rose, and Rebecca’s three-year-old, Maeve. (Okay, they were slightly distracted by a real live bunny in the corner, but can you blame them?)
After the book, it was off into the garden to hunt for seeds. The kids explored plants and flowers, collecting seeds from all kinds of flora, including a popcorn plant, which Rose was very enthusiastic about. (She also collected a small rock “just in case.”)
Back inside, the kids got their hands dirty (literally) making seed bombs, a delightful mix of soil, flour, water, and their freshly collected seeds. These little garden grenades can be dried and saved to plant next spring. Educational and messy? Win-win.
Once everyone washed up, the rest of the morning was pure play. And if you’ve never been to Highfield Discovery Garden, picture this: giant mushrooms, a wizard’s hat, a treehouse straight out of a storybook, and a misty caterpillar tunnel that’s perfect for running through (again and again).
Oh, and did I mention the brand-new music garden? Complete with instruments, a stage, and endless opportunities for noisy, joyful chaos.
All of this magic for just $7 admission per person! On an unseasonably cool summer day, it was absolutely worth every penny.
So if you're looking to mix a little learning into your fun or just want an outdoor space that will spark your child’s imagination, Highfield Discovery Garden should be at the top of your to-do list.
We’ll definitely be back. Maybe next time we’ll find a rock and a frog.
– Shae Huth
Know someone who needs a little garden magic in their week or a way to tire out their endlessly enthusiastic toddler? Share this with a fellow parent!