National Botanic Gardens

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is well worth a visit. It is an oasis of calm and beauty, and entry is free. A premier scientific institution, the gardens also contain the National Herbarium and several historic wrought iron glasshouses, such as the fantastic plam house - kids love exploring this as it is like a mini rainforest.  There are loads of other places to explore too such as the rose garden, the rock garden.  There is a kids trail to follow, just pick it up at the reception area and follow the trail around the gardens.  Kids will get seeds to plant at home.  We got rocket seeds on our last visit.  There is also a nice visitor centre and a restaurant, which has a great range of food and treats. 

The gardens are running lots of  events for Children over the summer including:-

• Children's Art Workshop: Budding Artists on Saturday 15th June from 11.00am-12.30pm. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds (costs €10)
• Children's Art Workshop: Hardy Annuals on Saturday 15th June from 2-4pm.  Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds  (costs €10)
• Children’s Pond Dipping on Saturday 22nd June at 11am. Suitable from 8 years up (free)
• Children’s Botany Workshop on Saturday 29th June at 11am. Suitable from 8 years up (free)

Also worth checking out on the web is the Eco-Sensor Network for Science Education, which is an  interactive programme for primary schools that allows you behind the scenes of the gardens.  Take a look at the project website (www.ecosensorweb.dcu.ie) and join Buzz the Bee to investigate real-time environmental information coming direct from a network of wireless sensors in the National Botanic Gardens.