Tot*Spot is a cozy garden for our youngest explorers
Welcome to Tot*Spot, part of the Gallery of Wonder, made just for our littlest explorers.
This whimsical, sensory-rich garden is designed especially for babies, crawlers, and young toddlers. Soft spaces, gentle ramps, and low climbable features invite little ones to roll, crawl, pull up, and take those wobbly first steps. There are textures to touch, soft sounds to notice, and small challenges that feel just right for growing bodies.
Every movement matters here. As babies crawl and climb, they build strength, balance, and coordination. Reaching, grasping, and exploring different textures supports early brain development. Simple cause-and-effect discoveries, like pressing, pushing, or listening, spark curiosity from the very start.
Just as important, Tot*Spot is a place for connection. Caregivers sit close, cheer on first milestones, and share smiles and eye contact. These back-and-forth moments build emotional security and trust.
In Tot*Spot, early discoveries are celebrated, tiny victories feel big, and the very first steps of learning happen in a space that is safe, calm, and full of joy.
Family Room
Comfort for caregivers and babies
A dedicated nursing room is located within Tot*Spot, offering a quiet, comfortable space for feeding, soothing, and taking a break.
The earliest experiences of movement, touch, and exploration shape how young children learn and feel in the world. Gentle sensory and motor play helps infants and toddlers build body awareness, coordination, and a sense of safety as they discover what they can do.
When caregivers stay close and responsive, children gain the confidence to explore at their own pace. These early moments of discovery support strong foundations for learning, emotional regulation, and secure relationships.
Explore our calendar to discover a carefully curated list of events for children 0-5 years of age to support their overall development and promote kinder-readiness.
If you enjoy Tot*Spot you'll love our carefully curated Toddler Trail! The Toddler Trail is filled with activities that you and your toddler can do in all our galleries. All of the activities help your tot develop key executive functions essential in childhood development such as communication. critical thinking, making connections through playful learning experiences.
“It has been amazing to see the difference in how she now observes and plays with the manipulatives, from crawling to navigating the staircases. If you have a membership and come frequently, you don’t even have to buy toys at home.”
The Meandering Path invites young children to crawl, step, balance, and explore gentle changes in height and texture. As children move through the path, they strengthen coordination and body awareness while building confidence in their growing abilities.
Children are practicing:
Grown-ups can try:
Stay close, offer encouragement, and let your child decide when to move forward or pause.
The Beehive is a cozy space filled with gentle movement, texture, and sound. As children crawl in and explore, the hive comes alive with quiet activity. Children can place small worker bees into the honeycomb at the back of the hive, inviting hands-on play that feels purposeful and fun.
This experience encourages curiosity while helping children feel secure as they explore a space that is active but contained.
Children are practicing:
Grown-ups can try:
Talk about what bees do and notice together where each bee belongs in the hive.
The ladybug pull-up gives young children a chance to grasp, pull, and steady themselves as they practice standing and climbing. These early physical challenges help build strength and support growing independence.
Children are practicing:
Grown-ups can try:
Stay nearby and celebrate effort, as your child tries again and again.
Babies, crawlers, and toddlers can creep, pull up, and explore textures, sounds, and movement in a calm, enclosed environment. Repeating simple actions helps them build confidence and physical skills.
Grown-ups can help by:
Getting down on the floor, offering reassurance, and letting toddlers explore at their own pace.
Tot*Spot is designed for children under 18 months. Older children will enjoy exploring other areas of the Gallery of Wonder while their younger siblings discover the garden of Tot*Spot.
Grown-ups can help by:
Encouraging exploration and naming what children are doing to build awareness and confidence.
Tot*Spot is designed for children under 18 months. Older children may enjoy exploring other areas of the Gallery of Wonder while their younger siblings discover the garden of Tot*Spot.
The Tot*Spot exhibit is designed for children under 18 months. Older children are invited to explore other exhibits nearby while caregivers support the youngest family members in Tot*Spot.
John P. McGovern Foundation
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