Families with babies and young children invited into The Garden

Families with babies and young children are invited to step into The Garden, a gentle and imaginative installation coming to The Beaney this week.

Opening on Saturday 25 April, The Garden has been created especially for children up to five years old and offers a calm and enchanting environment where curiosity, creativity and early discovery are encouraged to bloom.

Designed by Makers of Imaginary Worlds, The Garden is a beautifully crafted, immersive landscape filled with imaginary flowers, plants, soft sculptural creatures and playful interactive moments.

Each area has been thoughtfully designed to allow children to explore freely and at their own pace, supported by carefully considered sensory experience.

Visitors will discover welcoming spaces such as the cosy Baby Garden, featuring soft sensory robotics, alongside a meadow‑nestled reading nook and a series of gentle interactions that reward curiosity and movement.

Every encounter within The Garden reveals something new, supporting early learning through play in a soothing, inclusive setting.

The Garden is commissioned by Kent County Council’s Playground Festival, Kent’s first international early years festival, celebrating the creativity of babies, young children and their families. Other events are taking place across the county.

KCC’s Cabinet member for community and regulatory services, Georgia Foster, said: “The Garden is an opportunity for families with very young children to slow down, spend quality time together and share their first cultural experiences in a warm and welcoming space.

“By placing play, imagination and early creativity at the heart of the community, Playground Festival is helping babies and young children build confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

“I would encourage families with babies and young children to come along, explore together and enjoy something truly special designed just for them.”

Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet member for culture, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, said: “What a lovely experience for families to come and enjoy. The Beaney isn’t just a museum stuffed with old stuff – we love our new exhibits and our new (young) people too.”

The Garden will be open to the public from Saturday 25 April until Sunday 5 July 2026 (closed on Mondays except bank holiday 25 May).

Advance booking is required to enter The Garden via The Beaney website.

The Garden is created by Makers of Imaginary Worlds, led by Roma Patel and Rachel Clementine.

The Playground Festival is a partnership between Kent County Council’s Culture and Creative Economy Service and Kent Libraries. It is also proud to be an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

Find out more on the Playground Festival website.

Published: 21 April 2026