Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette Shannon Korb, age 5, from Coudersport, PA, visited the "Butterflies!" exhibit at Phipps Conservatory last year. Studies show that natural garden elements that capture a child's imagination include water and animals. Click photo for larger image.

As times change, children have fewer chances to play outdoors in a garden setting. Creating a children's garden is one way to change that.

Public children's gardens have existed for more than 100 years in America and Europe. Most involved kids digging, planting, weeding and watering small plots of land. However, a new style of children's garden has emerged over the last 20 years that encourages children to play, climb, hide, explore and experience a plethora of natural features without the rules found in many other public gardens.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has one of the first children's gardens of this kind, called the Discovery Garden. It features colorful and carefully selected plants crammed into every available space, providing new vistas and activities at every turn.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, the Discovery Garden will be the site of Summer Safari, a day of special activities, games, crafts and favors. At 3 p.m., a staff member from the National Aviary will bring African birds to the garden and host a question-and-answer session.

In the Discovery Garden, flower beds are child-sized. Plants lining the looping pathways guide visitors and act as walls between different areas, creating nooks where children can nestle and play. Whimsical features include huge bee and bird topiaries, smaller sculptures depicting a frog, fish and duck, a maze and several water features. Child-sized furniture and structures give children a sense of ownership, encouraging them to discover and explore.

Although each children's garden varies in style, there are features common to all of them. Studies have shown that garden elements that capture a child's imagination include plants, water, animals, refuges, dirt, heights, make-believe and movement.

The creation of children's gardens in public spaces often involves architects, educators, horticulturalists, artists and, of course, child advisers. However, it does not have to be a large-scale venture. A part of almost any garden can be made more child-friendly by incorporating some of the elements mentioned above.

For starters, consider creative use of plants. Children enjoy large, brightly colored flowers and a variety of plants that add movement to a garden with changing views, textures, smells, light, shade and color. Creating plant-covered arbors, tepees, arches, tunnels and the use of weeping trees provide children with an exciting natural environment that will spark their imagination.

Including a small water feature -- a fountain, pond or waterfall -- is sure to be a hit. Obviously, wherever water is concerned, safety must be carefully considered in design and use.

Certain plants will welcome birds, bees and butterflies to the garden. And be sure to leave an area for children to dig, plant and get dirty.

Small structures such as tree houses, cottages or secret areas in the garden increase the opportunity for imaginative play. And children love to climb. Trees are perfect for this and are also wonderful aesthetic features, providing shade in the summer months and seasonal interest for the rest of the year. Tree houses also provide height and a good view of the garden.

The benefits of the natural environment related to child development have long been documented. A couple of thoughtful and easy additions to a garden can create a place where children can play and learn.