ARBORETUM PLAYSCAPE

Use your outdoor voice

To the untrained eye, it might appear that bamboo stems are taking root at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center’s Playscape. But as an invasive plant, bamboo is not a welcome guest here. Instead, the Grass Climb, a nature-themed structure, is modeled after native eastern gamagrass – but it’s actually made from sturdy metal. Moving from blade to blade, active kids can anchor their feet on the color-coded grips that designate different courses, from easy to advanced.

All the Playscape’s features take a cue from the Arboretum’s surroundings. Walk under an arch shaped like a monarch caterpillar sporting its signature colors of yellow, white, and black. Untangle yourself from a spider’s web of thick cables and ropes. Repurposed wood provides a challenge for children ready to take on the Stump Scramble, where the stubby ends of trees act as steps leading to a wooden “hawk’s nest,” which has a tunnel underneath, where you can hide from predators.

Toddlers can spend time playing on their own turf, with a sandbox and a “flower mound” featuring different textured petals for non-strenuous scaling. The Playscape also offers a Wetland Walk and Water Garden for even more adventures under the sun. Be on the lookout for the local inhabitants, like dragonflies, lizards, frogs, and snakes, including the non-venomous rat snake, who can even shinny up a tree. A shady grove provides respite from the heat and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery of wildflowers in bloom while plotting your next move.

TIP: Four habitat zones and a sensory garden await young naturalists at the Nature Discovery Center in Russ Pitman Park.