We enjoyed last weekend’s unseasonably warm weather at beautiful Tyler Arboretum, located in the Philadelphia suburb of Media.  It turns out that we picked an ideal location for a family adventure during this very mild autumn afternoon.

Our toddler Miles absolutely loved all of the features created just for kids to explore and use their imaginations.  There is a Meadow Maze, a children’s garden, over-sized bird houses for kids to climb up into and peer through, a Crooked Goblin Shack, and much more.  Miles had fun playing in the Troll Bridge which was a perfect find, as we have been reading the Three Billy Goats Gruff with him lately.  There are fairy and gnome doors and windows that are placed into trees, enchanting little ones who might believe these little creatures are living inside.

Miles also couldn’t get enough of the gigantic frogs situated at various locations throughout Tyler. At one point, he decided that the enormous pink frog seemed like the perfect place to lounge while he ate his apple. Another feature he couldn’t get enough of was the Hobbit Hollow, a large wooden door placed in the side of a huge hill, making it appear that there was a passage-way behind it leading into the earth.  Miles kept knocking on the door, waiting for an answer.

Although our older son Lucas wasn’t with us for this trip, I have no doubt that he would love the arboretum’s 17 miles of  hiking trails situated on its 650-acres, as well as the incredible tree houses built throughout the area.  Some of the tree houses are specifically for older kids, but others are appropriate for children of all ages.  We will definitely be returning to Tyler Arboretum with Lucas; I don’t want him to miss out on this experience!

The hiking trails at Tyler Arboretum range from 1.9 miles to 7.4 miles in length.  Most of the trails are stroller-friendly, but a few of the paths are bumpy and could make navigating with a stroller a bit tricky.  There are picnic areas and snacks in the Visitor Center.  Tyler Arboretum is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and opportunities throughout the seasons.  On December 7th, Tyler Arboretum will be holding a Woodland Winter Wonderland that includes an old-fashioned holiday celebration of nature.  This event includes family photos taken on an antique sleigh, a Reindeer Scavenger Hunt, educational activities, and a hayride through the Arboretum.