Shopping Guide: The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden
The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden: An Informed Shopper's Guide
Why You Should Visit
This garden offers a unique experience for children and families. Here's what you can expect:
- A Wonderland for Exploration: You'll find a space specifically designed to ignite children's curiosity, filled with hidden pathways, tunnels, and creeks. It's a place where kids can get "lost" in a positive way.
- Water Play Fun: The garden features water features, including a creek, perfect for kids to splash around in. The water play area at the entrance is a highlight. Remember to bring a change of clothes!
- Natural Beauty and Variety: The location offers diverse landscapes, including a bamboo forest, a grotto, and a food garden with herbs and plants. The changing landscapes add to the sense of adventure.
- Interactive Activities: Shoppers can expect activities like a "hunt" where kids use a "plate" to find animals, plants, or colors.
- Picnic-Friendly Environment: This is a great spot for a family picnic. You can relax on the grass or find a shady spot to eat.
- Safe and Enclosed: The entire section is fenced, providing a safe environment for children to explore.
- Convenient Amenities: You'll find drinking water fountains, toilets located nearby, and a cafe and info hub are a short distance away (about 50 meters). A gift shop is also available.
- Variety of Activities: Kids can make boats to float and race in the creek.
- Fun for All Ages: While primarily for children, even adults will enjoy this place.
- Uplifting and Fun: There is an area where kids can decorate anything with round colored dot stickers.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
While the garden has many appealing features, consider these points before your visit:
- Water Feature Availability: Be aware that water activities might be limited. One review mentions a day when the water features were dry.
- Limited Playground Equipment: If you're looking for a traditional playground with swings and slides, this isn't the place. There is only a rope hammock situated above a small sandpit.
- Parking Costs: Parking meters charge $4 per hour with a 4-hour limit. Payment options include coins, credit cards, or an app. Consider checking for free parking days, like Sundays.
- Opening Hours: Remember to check the garden's opening hours online before your visit, as it's not open every day of the week.
- Lack of Toilets: There are no toilets within the fenced area.
