The Children’s Garden welcomes guests of all abilities and strives to create a safe, enjoyable, and engaging experience for all.
The majority of the Children’s Garden can be reached by paved paths and accessible wooden bridges. The typical grade is 2%. Several areas of the Garden have other ways to enter by a rope bridge, stairs, or ladders.
Accessible restrooms, including a family restroom, are located in the Central Plaza near the picnic pavilion.
The partially covered picnic area, with accessible picnic tables, is typically available whenever the Children’s Garden is open.
Sensory Supports
Guests who have sensory processing needs may borrow, at no cost, a sensory bag containing:
- Headphones
- Fidgets
- Visuals
- Other calming tools.
See the image below. These sensory bags can be checked out at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center, or from any Children’s Garden staff or volunteer team member.
Use these resources to help your family with a visit to the Children’s Garden.
Social Story
Social stories help prepare children for a visit during each season. Access a social story for:
Activity Choice Board
A visual activity choice board can help children communicate about which activities in the Children’s Garden they want to engage in.
Visual Schedule Sheet
A visual schedule sheet and a “first/then” card can help you plan for structured and predictable activities.
Proprioceptive Activity Board
A proprioceptive activity board provides examples of heavy work or deep pressure activities that can help some children feel calmer in an overstimulating environment.
Sensory Map
A sensory map identifies triggers and quiet areas within the Children’s Garden, if your child needs a calming break.
Sensory-Friendly Times in the Children’s Garden
Sensory-Friendly Times offer a modified Children’s Garden experience for those who need a quieter environment. Capacity is limited to 75 people on select Mondays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Browse upcoming Sensory-Friendly Times and purchase Arboretum general admission to attend.
Improving Access
The Morton Arboretum is always working to remove barriers to participation in all of our programs. Children’s Garden staff are available to discuss how activities can be adapted to meet your group’s needs.
We welcome inquiries from families as well as organizations that serve people with disabilities. Please contact us at childrensgarden@mortonarb.org any time to plan your trip to the Children’s Garden.
The Children’s Garden is sponsored by:
