Go on a toddler adventure at the Barbican conservatory and Squish Space
How much is it? Free but you need to pre-book
What age is it suitable for? Any - this post focuses on activities for toddlers
Where is it? Barbican
The conservatory at the Barbican has re-opened! It was closed for maintenance earlier this year but is now open to the public again. If you haven't already been to London's favourite not-so-secret garden, it's on Level 3 of the Barbican Center, and you can find a detailed description of how to navigate the brutalist maze on the main conservatory page.
It's home to over 1,500 species of plants and trees as well as 3 different carp pools and an 'arid house' full of cacti and succulents. It's a wonderful place to explore in spring when the outside temperatures are a bit inconsistent but you want to connect to the natural world. There are some tours and talks on if you have a younger baby, or you can go at your own pace to recreate a Jungle Book adventure with your toddler.
Your little one can go on to take a closer look at the planet and our ecology at Squish Space, also at the Barbican. The current season looks at microbes, mycelium and lichen with a creative play space made completely from recycled materials. Like with the conservatory, you do need to book in advance but acccess to both is completely free. The days they open don't always overlap but you should be able to find a day that does at least once per week.
Find out more
Conservatory
Level G Studio
