Toddler Lily Williams exploring Garden of Ideas flowers last summer.
The Garden of Ideas, Ridgefield’s garden sanctuary located at 653 North Salem Road, announces two new programs with children and families in mind: Garden Fun for Toddlers and Garden Explorers.
The first, aimed at children ages 2 to 4, takes place every Thursday, beginning April 30, from 11 to 1, through Oct. 29. It features facilitated play for parents and toddlers, including marsh, meadow and woodland exploration, a stone maze, and free play in the sandbox. Parents may bring their own lunches or purchase them at the Garden of Idea’s vegetable stand (prepared by Ridgefield’s No. 109 Cheese & Wine and using ingredients grown at the garden. The $5 cost does not include lunch.
Garden Explorer occurs every Sunday, May 3 through Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to sundown. In the words of Suzanne Ryan, program director, “The garden’s back yard is everyone’s back yard, and we encourage families to explore the many facets of this wonderful place at their own pace.” Garden Explorer participants are invited to borrow a backpack, filled with tools and suggestions on how to look at nature in different ways. The program is free.