Garden Playtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden invites families to introduce their children to the joys of nature through engaging activities designed to stimulate interest in the natural world. Each month features a unique theme, with activities that engage the senses and foster creativity. This program is available for families throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Dates: Tuesdays, March – Oct.
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Free with Garden admission
Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. In the event of rain or inclement weather, outdoor programming may be canceled. For status updates, please contact classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Joyful Movement
The season will kick off with music, movement, and hands-on fun, including a music party station, colorful wind sock creation, and exploration of sounds through sensory bins. Participants will also have the chance to explore instruments made from plants and experiment with nature-inspired sounds.
April: Patterns Everywhere!
In recognition of National Haiku Poetry Day, activities will combine art and nature, focusing on the patterns and textures found in the natural world. Families will create art inspired by these patterns, including forest scenes in sensory bins, painting with natural items, and making recycled art mosaics to take home.
May: Mythical Creatures
Participants will explore the imaginative realm inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures, discovering magical creatures through various activities. This includes interactions with mermaids in sensory bins, locating hidden dragon treasures in kinetic sand, and creating slithering snakes at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
In celebration of National Pollinator Week, families will learn about the essential roles of diverse pollinator species. Activities will include a bug tic-tac-toe game, engaging with sensory bins themed around bees, and decorating a “bug rock” to take home.
July: Animal Adventures
In July, the theme will draw inspiration from animal sculptures in Niki de Saint Phalle’s work. Participants are encouraged to dress up as animals, create a joint animal print mural, and design their own unique animal to take home.
August: Wonderful Water
Celebrating the movement of water as depicted in Niki de Saint Phalle’s art, this month offers water sensory bins, water lily art, frog pond shaving cream exploration, and interactive frog games. Families are also encouraged to cool down in the Splash Pad before departing.
September: Golden Grows
In honor of the Garden’s 50th Anniversary, September will showcase activities focused on golden colors in nature. Families will create sunflower art, engage with sunflower rice sensory bins, and paint with corn cobs at the mural station.
October: Harvest Time
The October session will celebrate the harvest season, featuring activities that evoke the senses of autumn, from the aromas of food to the sound of crunching leaves. Participants will have the opportunity to search for favorite scarecrows throughout the Garden.
