Climbers and Creepers

In the summer of 2004, Kew's determination to make serious botany great fun for children was demonstrated with the opening of 'Climbers and Creepers', Britain's first interactive botanical play zone.

Bringing a new use to an old cycad house by White Peaks, Climbers and Creepers engages children from around 3-9 years in the pleasures of learning more about plants and their relationships with animals and people.

As 'insects', children climb inside a plant to learn about pollination. Thrills come when they learn about the dangers insects face from carnivorous plants when they trap model flies with Venus fly traps or are themselves 'eaten' by a giant pitcher plant.

What is it like for small mammals in woodland? Children learn by crawling through a large-scale bramble thicket. How do bees make honey? There's a glass-walled apiary showing exactly how!

This imaginative and evocative way of teaching through entertainment and interaction is open all year-round for families to drop in casually and school parties to visit on a more organised basis.

It offers shelter in the winter months, while during the good weather visitors can enjoy the outdoor play space 'Air Play' supported by Fairy Naturals. Add 'The Lookout' rest and observation area with information and snacks, and 'Climbers and creepers' is the ideal spot for families with young children. And to keep the fun going at home, there are games and stories and more things to learn on www.kew.org/climbersandcreepers.

Please note: while properly-trained and security-cleared Kew staff and volunteers work in the zone, parents remain fully responsible for their children, and are advised to keep an eye on them at all times.

Schools booking forms may be requested by telephone on 020 8332 5963 or downloaded from www.kew.org/education/cc_schools.html

Continue the tour

Back up to: Entrance Zone

Carry on to: Lilac Garden