Give a kid freedom to wander in nature, and pretty soon, a kind of natural magic takes over. Even better if moveable objects like sticks and rocks are around. Add friends or siblings, and suddenly the whole afternoon has been whiled away. This almost never happens on the playground, where everything is fixed to the ground. Kids thrive on time and space (preferably in the outdoors and away from hovering parents) to play, and the more imaginative they can be, the better.
When my kids were toddlers, one of my favorite things to do was take them to this tiny botanical garden near where we lived. I would cut them loose and they would take whatever trail they felt like following that day. There were statues and sculptures around every bend, a koi pond and even a children's garden with a big pile of dirt to dig in. They absolutely loved it, and so did I. I didn't have to worry about traffic or falls from high playground equipment. They could just be.
Here in the South Birmingham area, I've discovered a place that reminds me of those sweet toddler days, and I can't wait to bring my boys to see it. Aldridge Gardens, in Hoover, has trails meandering throughout the property, a lake, streams, waterfalls, sculptures, statues, a "fairy king" and so many other things to discover. They even have a free play area where kids have built forts out of pallets and sticks, and pretend fire rings out of rocks. While I was there, I spoke with Education Director Debbie McDonald and she says they have even more fun in store for kids in the very near future. There was mention of "fairy houses!" Can't wait to see how that turns out.
The best part about Aldridge Gardens? It's FREE! So next time you are in Hoover with an hour to kill, check it out. I plan to bring my guys with a picnic one day this summer. Now that my boys are 6 and 8 years old, playground time just doesn't last long. These days, they prefer to come off the playground and start exploring nearby. In the right space, they can find things in their environment to interact with and start longer lasting playtime. I can't wait to bring them to see Aldridge Gardens. It will be right up their alley!
You can find more info about Aldridge Gardens HERE. They have a membership program that supports the work they do and will give your family added benefits, such as discounts to their summer camps, fishing access to the lake and being able to walk your dog in the garden!
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