About The Garden
A Nature Activity for Families with Toddlers and Preschoolers
The Garden is a radically inclusive outdoor theater experience designed for very young children (babies – 5 years old) and their families. This meditative performance transforms public green spaces into interactive theaters where babies, toddlers and preschoolers explore the life cycle through all five senses. Experience movement, poetic storytelling in multiple languages, and hands-on nature activities, all while seated in the grass beneath the open sky in your local public park.
The Garden creates peaceful moments of connection between children, caregivers, and the natural world around them.
What Is The Garden Theater Experience?
Unlike traditional indoor performances, The Garden brings theater directly to your neighborhood park. This unique theater in the park performance invites families to:
Touch the rough bark of sticks gathered from Central Park
Smell long pine needles collected from local green spaces
See milkweed seeds float gracefully on the wind
Hear the satisfying crunch of autumn leaves
Experience interactive play designed specifically for young children's developmental needs
Each element uses natural materials found in New York City parks and green spaces, connecting children to their local environment while exploring themes of growth, change, and renewal.
What Makes The Garden Different
Radically Inclusive: Created from the beginning to welcome all families, regardless of ability, language, or theater experience.
Multisensory Engagement: Young children learn through their bodies and senses. The Garden honors this by making touch, smell, and movement central to the experience.
Site-Specific Magic: Each performance uses the unique features of its host park, helping children see familiar green spaces with fresh wonder.
Why Outdoor Theater Matters for Young Children
Research shows that nature activities support early childhood development in crucial ways. The Garden combines the benefits of outdoor play with the imaginative power of live performance, creating a unique nature art activity that engages children's natural curiosity. The accessible format welcomes neurodiverse children, non-English speaking families, and children experiencing their very first theater performance.
Watch Trailer
What Audiences Say
“This performance was beautifully inclusive and well designed for such a young audience.”
"The interactive elements captivated my children."
"I saw my child's face light up when we opened the milkweed and poured it out."
"It was incredible to see how each child responded differently, and that they were all excited, curious, and engaged."
"The show was amazing. Thank you for coming."
"Keep sparking joy in children! We loved it!"
Audience testimonials from 2022 test tour
Bringing The Garden to Green Spaces Near You
Since its development in 2022, The Garden has welcomed hundreds of families across all five NYC boroughs, partnering with community organizations to reach neighborhoods that often lack access to children's theater. We've performed in Sunset Park, Seward Park, St. Mary's Park, and many other beloved local green spaces.
The Garden is now available for touring to parks, community centers, botanical gardens, and outdoor venues nationwide. Whether you're seeking unique activities for 3 year old children in your community or looking to activate underutilized green space near me, this performance brings high-quality theater directly to families where they are.
Book The Garden for Your Community
Interested in bringing this outdoor theater experience to your local park or green space? Contact Producing Artistic Director Jess Kaufman at jess@flying-leap.com to explore partnership opportunities.
The Garden was developed with support from the New York City Artist Corps, New Victory LabWorks, and Chelsea Factory.
