A Kid’s Guide to the Philadelphia Flower Show 2012

Cass and I hit the Flower Show! Here’s a quick hit list of kid-approved favorites.

The Orchid Wave: this was actually even better than I had expected it to be. It really does look like waves, and fish, sharks, rays and sea turtles swim overhead. Cass thought it was really cool, and even though I explained how it worked she still ran out from underneath every time a shark shadow appeared.

Waterfall: There’s a 25 ft waterfall and at intervals music starts and lights splash and it’s pretty awesome. Cass was a dancing machine. Sadly, since it was pretty dark and Cass couldn’t stand still, I didn’t walk away with any useable shots.

The Shopping: Sooooo many cool things to see! Heads up, they had roses 3 dozen for 10 dollars (plus tax). There is a table with paper flowers and Hawaiian headbands and figurines that are extremely affordable; you’ll want to direct your kid’s attention there first so they’ll have something to hold as you peruse all the other tables.

Bonsai: 45 year old trees a foot high. Really pretty presentation and fascinating to explain to a kid, especially the bit about how they flower in the spring.

The Vegetable Garden: This is going to get its own post, it was just that incredible. But the only thing more interesting in a vegetable garden than a wall made of lettuce? Tomatoes up above, that’s what.

But Cass would like you to know that the carrot cake is the fancy kind with the nuts in. Not a fan.

Here’s a scavenger hunt to keep your kidlets busy if the floor is crowded!

1. Small waterfall with pond with fish and crayfish in it

2. Big dresser, little drawers

3. Vegetables!

4. A Subaru Brat with a surfboard in the back

5. Cherry tomatoes growing overhead

6. A pink flower (doesn’t matter what kind!)

7. A BIG waterfall

8. A new Subaru

9. City Hall

10. Bonsai trees

11. A giant foot

12. A white flower

13. A sea turtle (requires patience!)

14. A wall of lettuce

Events still happening this weekend for families:

Saturday

10:30am, 12 noon and 1:30 pm: Performances from Liz and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show”
11:15am, 12:45pm, 3pm: appearances by Super Why & Wonder Red

Sunday: Girl Scouts who attend in uniform pay half-price!

10:30am, 12 noon, 1:30pm: Performances from Sean and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show”
11:15am, 12:45pm, 3pm: appearances by Super Why & Wonder Red
11 am: Girl Scouts presentation at The Gardener’s Studio
12 noon: Beekeeping demo led by Jim Bobb at The Gardener’s Studio
1 pm: Interactive lawn games demo at The Gardener’s Studio, led by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids’ Corner
3:45 – 5:15 pm: Sprout Snack. Join Sprout’s Kelly from The Sunny Side Up Show, The Pajanimals, and the Berenstain Bears for an interactive afternoon snack. Characters will join you at your table for one-on-one time, photos, and autographs. This events requires tickets which you can get here.

Have fun!

This post is brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower show. Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.