Children’s Garden Play Space Dayton Children’s Hospital {Dayton, Ohio}

Just across the street from Dayton Children’s Hospital and next to the Ronald McDonald House a wonderful surprise awaits! The Children’s Garden Play Space is a very welcoming addition to the hospital complex.

The park is filled with fun and exciting activities for all ages that center around a garden theme. Right away you are greeted by a jumbo caterpillar and butterfly. Eldest (14 years old at the time) is standing underneath the gateway to give you an idea of the scale of that caterpillar!

This outdoor xylophone is a great place to make some music while being outdoors. I think Big Red and Lil’ Red would have liked this.

The play structure was very unique and offered many opportunities to climb, slide, and play. Gross motor skills are very important in developing children and this play space take playing and growing to the next level.

In one corner of the play space there is an actual vegetable garden that offered a dozen or so types of vegetable plants. I am not sure who tends the garden but it was wonderful to see a real-life garden that children could touch and explore.

These two insect bouncing toys are great for younger children who like to bounce and bop around. The bee seats two small children comfortably with back support.

Eldest and Princess spotted a “nature parkour” area and they ran right over to the stumps to hop and play. They ran the course 2-3 times before heading on to the next play area.

Theses tree stumps are a very fun activity for the whole family and provide a great staircase to climb back up the hill after sliding down the hill.

The one downside that I saw with this park in no designated parking and the exposed copper water system that had been covered with mulch previously. If a family is visiting the hospital then the parking garage could be used but walking across a busy street can be nerve wracking with little ones. If a family is being housed at Ronald McDonald House then crossing the side street is not as bad. There is also a bus stop right by the climbing area for those who ride the bus to the hospital.