There’s something special about digging in the dirt, discovering new plants, and letting curiosity lead the way. At the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Nature Play gives children the freedom to explore the outdoors through hands-on experiences that inspire creativity, learning, and a lifelong appreciation for nature.
Thanks to a Variety grant, even more children can experience the joy of outdoor play in a space designed with inclusion in mind.
The Variety grant funded sensory-friendly enhancements to the Botanical Garden's Nature Play area, including an outdoor sensory table, a portable sensory table, an accessible raised garden bed, and interactive play materials that engage children's senses through touch, sight, sound, and smell. These additions make it easier for children of all abilities to participate, explore, and learn together.
Each year, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden welcomes more than 30,000 children through school field trips, educational programming, family visits, and community events. The new sensory-friendly features ensure that more families can enjoy meaningful outdoor experiences in a space that is welcoming, accessible, and engaging.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is deeply grateful to Variety – the Children's Charity for supporting enhancements to our Nature Play area through the addition of sensory-friendly equipment. These new features improve accessibility within our outdoor playscape and promote inclusion by ensuring children of all ages and abilities can engage meaningfully with nature through play.
Botanical Garden team
Since installation began, the new equipment has enhanced the visitor experience for children and families across Central Iowa. From sensory exploration to imaginative play, these improvements will continue serving thousands of children for years to come - creating a place where every child can discover, grow, and connect with the natural world.
