Lilytopia Flower Detectives

At Lilytopia in the Flower Dome, take turns giving each other clues about the lilies you can see, using colours, petal shapes or gestures. Allow 3 to 8 minutes once you are beside the display; no supplies are needed, but Flower Dome admission is required.

How to do it

1. Choose a clear stopping place on the public path beside Lilytopia's lily beds, away from the pond and behind barriers.
2. One grown-up stays beside one child, within arm's reach throughout. Look without touching, picking or collecting petals.
3. Your child picks a visible lily detail and gives you a clue. You try to find a flower matching or contrasting that detail. Take turns.
4. Play needs no supplies and has no cleanup. Flower Dome admission is required and is separate from this activity.

Make it yours

Ages 2 to 3 or a shorter turn: One child-chosen flower and one adult observation can last under a minute. Skip the clue-guessing and comparing. Ages 4 to 6, if wanted: The child gives a two-detail clue and explains or shows which detail helped you choose. They can change the clue instead of treating a different guess as wrong. Colour differences are hard to distinguish: Use a visible silhouette, upward-facing bloom or curled petal edge. No colour naming is required. Seated viewing or limited reach: Choose only flowers visible from the child's current seated position. The adult can offer two verbal descriptions and follow a look or yes/no response; no standing, pointing or device is required.