The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a top visitor attraction, contains more than 1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails. As a premier northern garden, the Arboretum was borne out of the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center (currently the U of M College of Food, Agricultural and Resource Sciences (CFANS)). Established in 1958, with the Men’s Garden Club of Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka Garden Club, Minnesota State Horticultural Society and other community supporters creating the Arboretum as a gift to the University of Minnesota. The Arb’s Green Play Yard is aimed at preschool age children and is one of our favorite Nature Playgrounds in the Twin Cities. The AppleHouse opens in the fall when apples ripen in mid-August through October. Families can buy fresh apples, cider, pies and mini donuts. The Arboretum’s Andersen Horticultural Library has a children’s section featuring beautiful kid-friendly books highlighting nature in all seasons. Take a break from the outdoors when visiting the Arboretum by finding the perfect spot for reading in the library. The library hosts StoryTime on Thursday mornings at 10:30am. Stories will reflect the seasons and nature. Arboretum admission is charged for these events. If you plan to bring your preschooler(s) to this event often, a $60 solo membership will cover your own admission for the year and kids are always free. Weekends often include special events geared towards kids and family that explore the Arb’s plant collections, natural history and other attractions. Look for special firefly viewing, Halloween events, hot cocoa in the winter, pancake breakfast during maple season, and visits from Santa. We share these events on our Family Fun Calendar. The arboretum offers a Tuesday morning parent/child preschool program. Sessions run for 10 weeks and are $120 members/$140 non-members. These programs have limited spaces. Each week kids will participate in activities such as planting, art, sensory and science, discovery zones, action and music, story time, Green Play Yard adventures, greenhouse exploration and snack. Parents should plan to participate with their child. Non-participating siblings can attend for free, but each participating child must be registered. Learn more here. Whether you home-school or not, families can participate in Homeschool Days (although you’ll have to pull the kids out of school if you don’t home-school). Registration costs $10.00 for individual students with discounts for members. However, these events are always held on 3rd Mondays, so gate admission is waived. These educational enrichment experiences include hands-on interactive science. Classes can be registered for individually. The Arboretum posts its summer programs in mid-December and they open for registration in early January. Camps are offered for the following age categories: Ages 5 – 7 Bicyclists and walkers can bike through the arboretum and can pre-purchase admission with a smart phone prior to reaching the gate. Bicyclist/pedestrian admission is $12 for non members. This bike path connects to the Highway 5 Regional Bike Trail. Three mile walking trail is fun to explore the various plant species in the display gardens and natural areas with kids who need a good walk. It is stroller-friendly for parents of small children. Kids of all ages will find plenty to interest them, including a koi pond, hedge maze, small waterfalls and beautiful flowers. In the winter, take advantage of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Stop in the conservatory to get a dose of summer on a cold day. Then, birdwatch while you lunch at the cafeteria. Pick a table near the the big bay windows so you can see the birds. My favorites are the Flora & Fauna Coloring Pages. Small kids, who may not be ready to draw on their own, can start their own botanical notebooks with these coloring pages. Offerings change, but look for Seed Packet Coloring Pages, which would be great for making your own garden markers for seeds you are starting indoors and alphabetical bird prints. While the gate fee can be high, Membership comes with free admission all year. If you plan to visit often, membership is the best way to save on visits to the MN Landscape Arboretum. Remember that kids (15 and under) are always free, so you don’t need a family membership. Find a PDF map of the Arboretum grounds or use this cool interactive map that let’s you know what’s in bloom during your visit so you can plan your walks accordingly.
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Things to Do at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
1. Play at the Nature Playground
2.Visit the Fall AppleHouse & North Star Donuts
3. Check out the Children’s Book Section at Andersen Horticultural Library
4. Attend Kid-Friendly Events
5. Join the Pods for Preschool Program at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
6. Participate in Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Homeschool Programs
7. Register Kids for Arboretum Summer Camps and/or Children’s Garden
Ages 7 – 9
Ages 9 – 11
Ages 12 – 15 (CIT program)
8. Explore the New Arb Bike Trail
9. Three-Mile Walk
10. Warm Up In Winter
Year Round Fun at the Arb
The Arboretum offers some of the BEST Free coloring pages!
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Discount tips:
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Map
Useful Links
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