At Filoli, innovation is about crafting experiences that inspire curiosity, ignite imagination, and encourage families to engage with the world around them. From exploring hidden treasures in the Historic House to embarking on outdoor adventures in the Gardens and Natural Lands, Filoli creates spaces where families can come together to discover, learn, and grow.
A playful and beloved feature of Filoli is our tribute to Toto, the French bulldog of the Bourne family, for whom the estate was originally built. Throughout the Historic House, we’ve hidden images and small replicas of Toto, inviting children to embark on a fun scavenger hunt. Once they find all of Toto’s hidden spots, they are rewarded with a special sticker, bringing an element of surprise and interaction to the estate’s rich history. This whimsical scavenger hunt blends the charm of Filoli’s past with modern-day discovery, making history engaging for the youngest visitors.
To further enhance the sense of adventure, Filoli offers "Adventure Backpacks" that families can borrow during their visit. These backpacks are equipped with tools like binoculars, magnifying glasses, compasses, nature guides, and nature-themed storybooks, all designed to help children explore the Gardens and Natural Lands with the tools of true adventurers. Whether observing a bird’s flight or identifying different types of flowers, the backpacks encourage children to engage deeply with nature, sparking their curiosity and sense of wonder.
The Nature Playspace, nestled in the Natural Lands, is another example of Filoli’s commitment to innovation. Designed to blend nature with creativity, the playspace features three woven willow play huts and a charming tea party area inside a redwood circle. The tea party space includes repurposed oak tree stumps as tables and chairs, upcycled fabric, and vintage-inspired tea sets, creating an imaginative setting for children to play and explore. This immersive outdoor experience encourages free-form play, allowing children to engage with nature and express themselves creatively in an environment that feels like a natural extension of the world around them.
Filoli also emphasises the importance of sustainability with its monthly, free drop-in programming that invites families to transform recycled materials into art. Through this hands-on initiative, children can create everything from birdhouses and jewellery to sculptures and books using repurposed materials. This program not only fosters creativity but also teaches children the value of recycling and the importance of environmental stewardship.
The Children’s Redwood Theatre, located in the Natural Lands, brings families together through the arts. This outdoor venue hosts family-friendly performances that blend entertainment with education. Past performances have included a puppet show by Rabbit Hole Theatre, featuring a warrior princess on a quest to save a secret grove, and a musical performance by Gangsta Grass, where children learned about live music and various instruments. These performances foster a love for storytelling and music while encouraging children to connect with the natural world.
Filoli’s Dress-Up Cart and Platform Stage offer another opportunity for children to engage in imaginative play. With seasonal costumes that range from pollinators to woodland animals and superheroes, children can step onto the platform stage beneath a redwood theatre banner, acting out stories, singing, and performing. This interactive space nurtures creativity, confidence, and self-expression.
A new highlight at Filoli is TROLLS: Save the Humans, running from June through November 2025. This all-new touring exhibition features six activist Trolls, created by Thomas Dambo from reclaimed materials, who teach humans how to rediscover nature and become good stewards of the Earth. The outdoor exhibition fuses fairytales, whimsy, and monumental scale to inspire visitors to explore recycling, gardening, art, and environmental responsibility. Located throughout Filoli's Natural Lands, the giant Trolls invite visitors to embark on an adventurous discovery, engaging with nature in a playful yet meaningful way.
Through these unique and innovative offerings, Filoli creates spaces where families can explore, learn, and create lasting memories. Each experience fosters connection—whether discovering hidden Toto treasures, borrowing adventure backpacks, engaging in sustainable art projects, or encountering the activist Trolls. Filoli is more than a place to visit; it is a destination where curiosity, creativity, and connection to nature come alive for visitors of all ages.
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Design: LMC Design
