Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. The event will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status, email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Colors of Spring
Nature produces a vibrant palette of color every Spring in Georgia—from snowy white dogwoods to brilliant pink and red azaleas, and everything in between. Participants will create vibrant artwork, explore rainbow sensory bins, and let their imagination run wild at colorful playdough stations.
April: Spring Birds
Attendees will explore the different shapes of bird beaks and discover how the shape determines what food birds can eat at a bird exploration station. They will also create their own feathery friend with colorful chalk and design the perfect bird nest out of clay.
May: Mythical Creatures
The event will delve into the fascinating array of mythical creatures from beloved children’s stories. Participants will visit the mermaids in sensory bins, uncover hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and construct their own dragon egg at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
This June, the celebration of National Pollinator Week will include learning about the valuable role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. Attendees will investigate these fascinating critters up close, participate in a bee pollen counting game, dig in sensory bins, and design their own “hungry caterpillar!”
July: Kids in Wonderland
Alice’s Wonderland will return this year, featuring beautiful mosaiculture sculptures throughout the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Participants will find the giant rabbit and other interesting sculptures, then let their imagination run wild in the Children’s Garden at a tea party sensory station and flamingo croquet, while designing their own crown like the Queen of Hearts.
August: Wonderful Water
In August, participants will dive into the wonderful world of water, exploring streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, and oceans. They will visit sea turtle sensory bins, design their own jellyfish, engage in frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn, and cool down in the Splash Pad before heading home.
September: Life in the Desert
This month will focus on one of the world’s most unique habitats, teaching about the plants and critters that call the desert home. Attendees will explore desert scenes in sensory bins, construct a cactus at the playdough tables, and create their own sand succulent art to take home.
October: Harvest Time
October’s activities will be inspired by the harvest season, incorporating the delicious food aromas and crunching sounds of leaves. Participants will relax into the nostalgia of autumn as they wind down Garden Playtime for the year, with time available to hunt around for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden.