Updated June 2017 Unless you had some kind of magical upbringing that most of us missed out on, My Big Backyard is the yard you wish you'd had when you were a kid. Assignment #178 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis is to go outside and play in it: A path runs through My Big Backyard, but you don’t have to stick to it. There are hundreds of plants and flowers, some of them bent into sculptures or teased into shapes that kids can climb into. There are playhouses, musical instruments, a treehouse and plenty of room for the wild ones to run free. The best part, though, is the thunderstorm. Every 30 minutes, a mini-downpour of rain falls from the edge of the pavilion roof. My Big Backyard is appropriate for people of all ages – there’s a separate play area for smaller children and plenty of things that families can do together. And if you need a break, there’s a large “house” with indoor activities, bathrooms and concessions. Admission to My Big Backyard is included with regular admission to the Botanic Gardens. Go there: My Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Gardens 750 Cherry Road Memphis, TN 38117 (901) 636-4106