Climbers and Creepers

Climbers and Creepers is Britain's first interactive botanical play zone.

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Climbers and Creepers

Climbers and Creepers

Activities

In the summer of 2004, Kew's determination to make serious botany great fun for children was demonstrated with the opening of 'Climbers and Creepers'. Bringing a new use to an old cycad house by White Peaks, Climbers and Creepers engages children from around 3-9 years in the pleasures of learning more about plants and their relationships with animals and people.

As 'insects', children climb inside a plant to learn about pollination. Thrills come when they learn about the dangers insects face from carnivorous plants when they trap model flies with Venus fly traps or are themselves 'eaten' by a giant pitcher plant.

Climbers and creepers' is the ideal spot for families with young children. To keep the fun going at home there are games, stories and more things to learn with Climbers and Creepers online.

Kids' Mission

Crawl through Climbers and Creepers and visit the glass-walled apiary:

  • how do bees make honey?
  • what is it like for small mammals in woodland?

Visitor information

Climbers and Creepers is open all year round for families to drop in casually and school parties to visit on a more organised basis. 

  • for more ideas for things to do for families, read our parents' survival guide
  • arrange a school visit by booking online 
  • emergency assistance is available at the Help Point telephone located inside Climbers and Creepers to the right of the entrance. If using your own telephone please dial 0208 332 5121.

Treehouse Towers

Opened in April 2010

Our previous outdoor play area had to be removed as it was getting old and uneconomical to repair.

Located outside Climbers and Creepers, the new play area, Treehouse Towers, allows up to 300 kids to climb up ladders, clamber across rope bridges and slide their way down from the three towers. Each tower varies in height, and as children scale between them they’ll find each one more of a challenge.

The area features giant swings, zip wires, scramble nets, slides and a mountaineering ramp for families to enjoy, whilst also offering educational opportunities for children to learn about and appreciate trees.

Imaginatively constructed largely in FSC-certified wood, Treehouse Towers is supported by Velvet family toilet tissue. Velvet’s ‘three trees’ initiative ensures that three trees are planted for every tree used.

7 comments on 'Climbers and Creepers'

ibyang Online Games says

08/08/2011 4:45:35 AM | Report abuse

The concept of interactive play in a botanical garden setting will not just provide children with some knowledge but also awareness with their surroundings. It is a great opportunity for a child to experience it. They are learning while playing at the same time.

Feedback Team says

16/08/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

Thanks for your comment Maria. Take a look at our kids area for more information about children's activities http://www.kew.org/learn/kids/index.htm Many of our attraction pages include 'kids' missions' too http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/garden-attractions-A-Z.htm

Maria Ines Carvallo says

16/08/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

I would like more information about children s activities

Digital Media Team says

01/03/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

The Treehouse Towers outdoor play area is scheduled to be open for Easter. Opening times for Climbers and Creepers can be found in the Visit Information section of the website.

Dominic says

28/02/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

What are opening times?

NM says

27/02/2010 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

Ditto! We have been without an outdoor play area for so long now. Once the weather improves it will certainly put families with small children off with no outdoor area. In fact it seems a shame there are not more outdoor nature areas aimed at kids elsewhere in the gardens.

Mary Khan says

04/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Report abuse

My little grandsons love our regular "adventures" to Kew Gardens, and have great fun in "climbers and Creepers. However, 6 year old Thomas was hugely disappointed on our last visit at half term to find that the promised new outdoor play area which was to be built in October, was not even begun. When oh when is it to be built, please???

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