Sensory Garden

Illustration of musical instruments designed to look like natural objects, including two mushrooms labeled Disco Blade Tone Cajon, a butterfly xylophone, a flower pedal xylophone, a bass tree stand, and a welding cylinder chimes.

Coming Soon….

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Slow down and engage your senses in our vibrant outdoor musical landscape! The Sensory Garden offers a peaceful yet interactive environment designed to connect children with nature through sound, touch, and sight. This tranquil space invites visitors to become conductors of their own outdoor symphony while exploring a diverse collection of living plants and natural textures. 

Create rhythmic patterns on large-scale outdoor percussion instruments including chimes and drums built to withstand the elements. Feel the unique textures of carefully curated local and seasonal plants designed for gentle exploration. Walk winding pathways that offer varied sensory inputs underfoot, grounding explorers in the garden's peaceful atmosphere. 

Whether experimenting with musical improvisation, observing biological growth patterns across seasons, or simply finding a moment of calm among living greenery, the Sensory Garden teaches that nature provides rich learning experiences through gentle observation, rhythmic creation, and mindful connection with the living world. 

    • Outdoor Percussion Station: Large-scale musical instruments, including chimes and drums, built to withstand the elements and inspire collaborative play 

    • Botanical Discovery: A curated selection of local and unique plants that encourage gentle touch and seasonal observation 

    • Textured Pathways: Winding trails that offer a variety of sensory inputs underfoot, grounding explorers in the garden's tranquil atmosphere 

    • Science: Observe biological growth patterns and the characteristics of different plant species 

    • Technology: Manipulate simple mechanical instruments to understand how strike and vibration create sound 

    • Art: Explore creative expression through rhythmic patterns and musical improvisation 

    • Sensory Exploration: Engaging with a wide range of auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli in a natural setting 

    • Physical Abilities: Developing gross motor coordination and rhythm through the use of oversized musical mallets 

    • Observation: Identifying different plant textures, colors, and sounds within the garden ecosystem 

Explore More 

This exhibit is located in Outdoor Discovery Area. Also explore: Discovery Campground | Bill's Bubble Factory | Nature's Workshop 

  • A smiling woman holding a small girl sitting on her lap outdoors at the Sensory Garden, with colorful garden and signage behind them.
  • A young woman helping a little girl walk on a gravel path in a park, with a playground and other people in the background during daytime.
  • A man and a young boy sitting on a wooden park bench, outdoors, with trees and playground equipment in the background.
  • Two young children sitting on a gravel ground outdoors. A girl with a purple top and a boy in a white and gray shirt are examining something on the ground. An adult in the background is kneeling near bags and wearing white sneakers.
  • A woman wearing sunglasses and a yellow gingham shirt smiling while holding a smiling baby dressed in a floral blouse and light pants, sitting on a concrete bench outdoors with modern glass building structures in the background.
  • A woman with curly dark hair squatting outdoors, looking at a young child in front of her. The child is wearing a pink hat, light blue dress, and sandals, and is holding a small object to her mouth. There are plants and a pool or water feature in the background.