Huntington Library Children's Garden

Children’s Garden


Inviting youngsters to enter and explore, the Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden opens up endless pathways to discovery

The Children’s Garden provides young visitors, primarily ages two to seven, with hands-on experiences that demonstrate scientific principles related to earth, fire, air, and water. Youngsters can walk through mist in the Rainbow Room, crawl through a tunnel to view a colorful prism of light, and feel the effects of sound waves moving through water in a sonic pool.

Plants such as topiary animals, weeping mulberry trees, papyrus, and tree aloes create a whimsical atmosphere. Parents and grandparents can watch their children from shaded benches in the garden’s center or from a comfortable overlook platform, complete with a rocking chair.

The Garden centers on the four ancient elements-–Fire, Water, Earth and Air. These are the raw elements that fuel the plant world and, through plant growth, give rise to the oxygen, food, resources, and habitats that sustain human life.

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FIRE

Fire yields light and heat, demonstrated through the power of sunlight whose energy plants use to create their food.



Prism Tunnel: Crawl through the tunnel where prisms break sunlight into colored arcs and soft halos.







Topiary Volcano: Sunlight fuels the flame-colored leaves of New Zealand flax growing atop the volcano. Rampant vines form a shady refuge.





Rainbow Room: Pulses of mist break sunlight into a circular rainbow that shimmers against the background of miniature Bull Bay magnolias.









WATER

Water gives movement to our lives and the world around us. Plants take water in through their roots and lose it through their leaves.





Sonic Pool: Vibrations at the rim of the basin create waves that interfere with each other to produce dynamic effects–causing water to ripple, and even dance around the edge.





Vortex and Water Bells: Change the flow of water in the Vortex, and watch the effects of the water as it swirls through the funnel. At the Water Bells, water forms umbrella-like shapes, only to be pierced and reshaped by small hands.





Marble Jets: These small jets propel grape-sized spurts of water in to the air.











EARTH

Earth is soil, rock, pebbles, stone and metal. The earth is where plants root and where they get their nutrients.







Magnetic Sand

Magnetic sand comes from ocean sediments. It is attracted to the two powerful magnets and provides an opportunity to create interesting shapes—a lesson in the interaction of force fields.









Self-Centered Globe

With Los Angeles positioned at the top, the globe shows how the sun is striking the Earth at this very moment. Look and feel for evidence of Earth’s sunrise and sunset, shadows, and surface heat.









Pebble Chimes

Pebbles ring out while bouncing through a maze of metal posts. Compose your own sounds, from solo, to symphony, to cacophony in an interplay of materials and physics.









AIR

Air is a forgotten substance, until it is made visible—by fog or smoke. But the atmosphere is the greatest nutrition source on Earth, providing all of the carbon dioxide plants require to make the food they use to grow.





Fragrance Garden

Gentle aromas waft through this formal passageway planted with citrus, rosemary, lavender, and other fragrance-rich plants. Smell and flowers and leaves.





Fog Grotto

Experience the swirl of clouds and the constant currents that move around us. Fog, generated by nearly 100 high-pressure nozzles, flows in and fills the grotto, only to be swept away by a sudden breeze.











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Map of the Children's Garden











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Hours and Admission

The Children’s Garden is open during The Huntington’s normal public hours. Entry to the Children's Garden is included with general admission to The Huntington, which also includes access to all exhibitions, galleries, and 120 acres of botanical gardens.





Visitor Guidelines

To insure an enjoyable and safe visit to the Children’s Garden, please follow these guidelines:



All visitors must wear shoes.



No drop-offs. Children must be supervised by adult guardians at all times: one adult for every four children.

Strollers must be parked outside the Children’s Garden. The Huntington is not liable for loss or damage to strollers or their contents.



No running in the Children’s Garden, as some surfaces may be wet.

Please do not remove anything from the garden, including stones, plants, or magnetic sand.



No picnics, please. Lunches and snacks are available in the Café.

Discovery Zone

Noon Years Eve 2010

Walk the Red Carpet on December 31

Why should adults have all the fun on New Year's Eve? Kids, put on your party shoes and walk the red carpet on December 31... we're celebrating all day long!
• Balloon drop at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm

• Be the star & walk the red carpet

• Make seltzer rockets & party poppers

• Sing your way through Karaoke

• Make a ginger ale toast to 2011



All Noon Year's Eve activities are included in general admission.

Irvine Park Railroad

 the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train is now open nightly through Thursday, December 23rd. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online. The Christmas Train is the perfect way to capture special holiday moments with family and friends.




Also, now through December 31st, get a FREE 2011 Irvine Park Railroad wall calendar -- no purchase required. This offer is exclusive to our eNewsletter subscribers. The calendar has over $40.00 worth of coupons on the back page that can be used at Irvine Regional Park throughout next year!

San Marino Crowell library events

Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5)


Thursdays, begins September 16,10:30 am

Calling all preschoolers! Come to the

library for stories, songs, finger plays, and a

simple craft activity. Storytime is an excellent way to

teach young children the skills--such as listening quietly

and following instructions--they will need in kindergarten.

Registration is not required.
Tween Scene (grades 4-6)


3rd Monday of every month, begins Sept. 20, 3:15 pm

Too old for kiddy programs but too young for teen

activities? Then Tween Scene is where you belong!

Come get crafty, go on a scavenger hunt, or show us

your best Wii moves! We’ll be doing something different

every month. Grades 4 – 6 are invited to join us in

this brand new club for tweens only! No registration

required.
 
Family Fun with Ken Frawley



Saturday, December 18, 2 pm


Back by popular demand, Ken Frawley

will be performing again at the Library! Come join us

for a fun-filled show that celebrates the Christmas and

Hanukkah holiday seasons. Kids are invited to singalong

and play-along to holiday favorites and listen

to Ken’s holiday storytelling! This program is FREE and

registration is not required.

Lakeshore learning free crafts- pasadena 11-3

December 18th-New Years poppers
December 25th-store closed
January 8th-Ice Skate lacer
January 15th- Snowman Magnet
January 22nd- Weather forecasting dial
January 29th Winter Igloo

Americana at Brand- fun for the little ones

WEEKLY EVENTS


Monday Morning Mommy Movies

Moms, Dads, Caregivers – come see a first-run movie…with your baby! No one will mind if your baby cries, so pick up your diaper bag and stroller! Mondays, 11am



For more information, http://www.pacifictheatres.com/MMMM.htm





Kids Club on The Green

Enjoy a terrific selection of enriching activities for kids, parents and caregivers. Join us for a weekly dose of fun, including music, entertainment and so much more! Tuesdays, 11am - 1pm





Stroller Strides

Getting in shape has never been so fun! Join Stroller Strides for a total fitness program that moms can enjoy with their babies! Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10am





Barnes & Noble Storytime

Join Barnes & Noble as they read a delightful variety of children’s books. (2+ years old) Wednesdays, 11am





Kids Eat Free Tuesdays

Jewel City Diner, Katsuya, CrepeMaker, Caffe Primo, Granville Cafe and Jody Maroni's

Visit these restaurants and get one free kids entree with the purchase of an adult entree. Some restrictions apply. Please visit restaurants for details. Tuesdays





Kids Yoga on The Green with Lululemon Athletica

Please join certified Yoga instructor Abbie Rose for a fun filled Kids Yoga class on The Green. Recommended for 3-6 year olds, but parents are always welcome to join in on the fun! Wednesdays, 11-11:45am.





Gigi's Farmers Market

A Farmers Market with a New Approach



Fresh produce. Delicious prepared foods. Live music. It’s the perfect start to a Saturday. Come enjoy great family fun and fresh selections from Gigi’s Farmers Market at The Americana at Brand. Now featuring family fun activities such as a petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, and face painter! Saturdays, 10am-2pm









Trattoria Amici's Santa Sundays Delicious Brunch Menu

Make your Sunday mornings merrier! Experience a magical atmostphere at Trattoria Amici featuring a visit from Santa and his friends plus a selection of Italian classic cuisine.



Only $28 per adult, $12 per child (11 years and younger)



Free Santa photo & goodie bag for kids!



For reservations call 818.637.8982.





Santa's House

Santa is visiting from the North Pole. Don't miss your chance to sit with Santa and go home with photos you'll always treasure. Cost of photo packages range from $15 to $60. Plus PET NIGHTS are Wednesdays from 6pm until closing. For hours and photo package information visit our homepage and click on A FLURRY OF WINTER FUN.





Kids Club Acoustic Avenue - Tuesdays, 11am - 12pm

Enjoy a terrific selection of enriching activities for kids, parents and caregivers. Join us for a weekly dose of fun, including music, entertainment and so much more!

This week in LA

BOND
Family Campfire Evening
What: Pack up a picnic, a blanket, and the kids for the last group campfire of the season.
Why: S’mores. Need we say more?
When: Tues., 7 p.m.
Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy., at Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas. More info at 818-878-0866 ext. 228.
SING
Melissa Green Concert
What: Whimsical stories and classics like “Five Little Monkeys” set to folksy pop guitar.
Why: A musical role model for your teensy bopper.
When: Thurs., 4:15-5 p.m.
Where: West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library, 11360 Santa Monica Blvd., b/t Purdue & Corinth Aves. (310-575-8323).
CREATE
Skirball Drop-In Art Studio
What: Kids create take-home projects that incorporate recycled materials and other fanciful resources.
Why: One man’s trash is another mom’s treasure.
When: Tues.-Fri., noon-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., at Skirball Center Dr. Free with admission (adults, $10; kids 2-12, $5. Free on Thurs.).