The Huntington Library and Gardens is a wonderful place for kids of all ages to learn to appreciate art and culture. The first time I went to the Huntington Library with my four kids in tow we asked the docent who checked us in what we needed to see as a family. He told us the whole garden is stunning and well curated, but if we had limited time we needed to see these five places.
1. The Children’s Garden
If you’re going to the Huntington Library with kids you can’t miss the the Children’s Garden.
The quickest way to get to the Children’s garden from the main entrance is to make an immediate right onto the main path and follow it until you get the Conservatory. Behind the Conservatory is the Children’s garden.
Stepping through the gate into the garden you are greeted by the sound of running water, scent of fog, and a colorful multi-sensory space designed to spark curiosity and wonder through play.
Filled with hands-on water features, hidden tunnels, and whimsical plant displays, the garden enchanted my kids with hours of play. Highlights include the water fountains shaped like swirling whirlpools, a magical mist-filled grotto, and a sand sensory area where kids can play with magnetism and listen to a gravel chime. The space is designed on a small scale, making it perfect for little explorers.
With its blend of education and enchantment, the Children’s Garden offers a perfect spot for your kids to enjoy a fun and memorable outdoor experience.
2. The Conservatory
Next to the Children’s garden you will see another “must see” spot the Conservatory. The Conservatory is an interactive greenhouse that showcases the fascinating world of tropical plants. As you walk through the lush greenery, exotic and exotic flowers, you will pass interactive flip books at a child’s eye level that explain how the exotic plants in the green house are adapted to their environment.
You can explore distinct sections, including a tropical rain forest, a cloud forest, and a bog garden with carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps and pitcher plants. Interactive exhibits, such as misting stations and touch-friendly displays, make it especially engaging for young kids and curious parents.
With its stunning plant life and hands-on learning opportunities, the Conservatory offers a unique and memorable experience for all ages.
3. Chinese Garden
Following the road away from the Conservatory you will come across a paved path marked by a lion dog that leads you to the Chinese Garden.
Inspired by classical Suzhou gardens, the Chinese Garden features pavilions, elegant bridges, winding pathways, and reflecting pools. This garden beautifully blends nature, art, and philosophy. My children loved trotting along the meandering paths over bridges, through pavilions and under a waterfall.
When we went at the beginning of February 2025 pink cherry blossom flowers could already be seen dotting the along lakeside path. There are many benches to sit and admire the lake’s reflections of trees and architectural elements around the garden.
4. Japanese Garden
Following the paved path out of the Chinese Garden passed the tea house will take you along a creek to the Japanese garden.
The peaceful Japanese Garden features traditional elements like a moon bridge, koi-filled ponds, an Edo period (1603–1867) Japanese house, and a bonsai collection. Walking along the lush greenery, stone pathways, and waterfalls create a tranquil atmosphere that felt more connected to nature than Chinese Garden.
My preschoolers were charmed by the little bonsai trees and were surprised to learn they are just well pruned versions of trees we are familiar with.
They were disappointed to learn the moon bridge was not open to pedestrians like the one in Golden Gate Park, but we admired the koi fish swimming beneath it.
5. American Art Museum
The quickest way to return to the American Art Museum is to climb the steps near the moon bridge to the road and then climb the steps from road up towards the main path by the Rose Garden. At the path you will turn left and make a second left at the Shakespeare Garden which will take you to the back of the American Art Museum. However, back tracking along the road will also take you back to the museum.
The American Art Museum showcases a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the colonial period to the 20th century including works form Marry Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, and Edward Hopper.
I love how Marry Cassatt portrayed the tender interactions between moms and their children. Near the entrance, I feel like Marry Cassatt’s Breakfast in Bed captures the experience of many moms with young children and enjoyed hearing the my kids’ interpretation of the painting.
A second work I think a lot of kids can recognize and appreciate is Gilbert Stuart’s George Washington portrait. Having already learned about the American Revolution, my oldest enjoyed seeing a portrait of George Washington that was made during his lifetime.
Bonus: Gutenberg Bible
If you are religious or you just enjoy history, take your kids small and tall to see the Huntington Library’s Gutenberg Bible. First printed in 1455 AD the Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed in Europe using moveable type. The advent of the printing press led to increased literacy rates and a more rapid spread of new information and knowledge. This increased literacy and accessibility of books enabled the spread of new ideas during the Protestant Revolution and Scientific Revolution.
The Gutenberg Bible on display is only 1 of 48 intact copies. I was surprised at how large the bible is. I appreciated being able to share an artifact that had a monumental impact on our world today with my kids.
Planning Your Trip to the Huntington Library
With spring coming and flowers blooming, the Huntington Library and Gardens is a memorable day trip for kids of all ages. Ample paved paths and ramps make traversing through the gardens accessible to families with strollers.
It is important to note that some of the exhibits and shops like the Japanese house have limited hours. So if there is an exhibit you would like to see I would make sure I would budget time to get there.
If you have taken your kids the Hunting Library, let me know what your kids enjoyed the most.
Free Tickets to the Huntington Library
You can learn how to visit the Huntington Library and Gardens for free by reading my other blog post.
Seven Founding Hills 
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