There’s Family-Friendly Fun Galore at Longwood Gardens’ Orchid Extravaganza

Let’s face it: cabin fever has set in and the constant stream of hot cocoa can no longer remedy our winter woes. Enter: Longwood Gardens’ Orchid Extravaganza. Kennett Square’s long-running floral event is back until March 29 and it’s the perfect family-friendly destination. So, roundup the kids and get ready to peruse the standout collection of super-rare orchids. Believe us, a bevy of blooms (think: 5,000 orchids) and a warm, four-acre conservatory is the perfect cold-weather solution—no hot cocoa necessary.

Here’s a short guide to the many family-friendly events that Longwood Gardens has to offer this spring:

OrKID Days: On Saturday March 14 from 11am to 2pm, visit Longwood Gardens for a fun-filled day of kid-focused events. In conjunction with the two-month-long Orchid Extravaganza activities, OrKID Days allow little ones to engage with the event from a different vantage point. Children are invited to take part in a rainforest activity, investigate vanilla at the Very Vanilla Discovery Station (vanilla is in the orchid family, you know), and engage in interactive storytelling with puppets. The rest of the family can join by doing seek-and-finds throughout the Conservatory. Bonus: OrKID Days are free with Gardens admission. Pencil-in your calendars; March 14 is the last OrKID Day of the season.

Indoor Children’s Garden: Safe, interactive, and not to mention, a welcomed respite for Mom and Dad, the much-loved Indoor Children’s Garden at Longwood Gardens is a miniature oasis from the winter chill.  The child-sized garden boasts multiple fountains, secret stairways, quirky sculptures and interactive plant displays. Plus, there’s a Central Cove, a Rain Pavilion and a Bamboo Maze for tikes to freely meander under their parents’ watchful eyes. Adults entranced by the garden’s whimsy can also take part in scavenger hunts to get the low-down on its history, too. Here, playfulness and a knack for exploring are essential.

Orchid Hunt: Pick up a bookmark at the Visitor Center to take part in a Conservatory-wide family seek-and-find. Children and adults will embrace their competitive spirits as they peruse the extensive displays of jaw-dropping flora, including the Orchid Towers (Exhibition Hall), Orchid Meadows (East Conservatory) and an array of other Orchid-specific sights. The Orchid Hunt will up the ante on any group outing to the Orchid Extravaganza.

Orchid Extravaganza Plant Sale: The beauty of successful family outings is that everyone leaves satisfied, and in this case, also toting an orchid. From Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4, from 9am to 6pm, plan a trip to The GardenShop in the Visitor Center for the opportunity to shop a well-stocked selection of lush orchids plucked right from the Orchid Extravaganza displays. And—get this—the flowers will be offered at discounted prices. Just imagine a stunning piece of horticulture sitting atop your windowsill; that’s incentive enough to rally the family. But visit early, the sale is only while supplies last.

Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (age 62+), $10 for students (ages 5 to 18 or with valid student ID) and free ages 4 and under.

For more information about the Orchid Extravaganza or other family-friendly activities at Longwood Gardens, click here.