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 Observe the different shapes of bird beaks and how these shapes may determine the food they can eat. They will explore this at the bird exploration station and create their own feathery friend with colorful chalk, as well as design the perfect bird nest out of clay.
May: Mythical Creatures
Participants will discover the fascinating array of mythical creatures that inhabit some of the most beloved children’s stories. They can visit the mermaids in the sensory bins, uncover hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and construct their own dragon egg at the art station!
June: Pollinator Friends
This June, everyone is invited to celebrate National Pollinator Week and learn about the valuable role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. Participants can investigate these fascinating critters up close with a bee pollen counting game, dig their hands into “bees in a hive” sensory bins, and design their own “hungry caterpillar!”
July: Kids in Wonderland
Alice’s Wonderland returns this year at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, featuring beautiful mosaiculture sculptures placed throughout the venue. Attendees will find the giant rabbit and other interesting sculptures, then let their imagination go wild in the Children’s Garden at the tea party sensory station and flamingo croquet. They will also have the chance to design their own crown like the Queen of Hearts!
August: Wonderful Water
Participants are invited to dive into the wonderful world of water! From streams and rivers to marshes and oceans, water is what makes our planet unique. They can visit the sea turtle sensory bins, design their own jellyfish, hop to the 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, attendees will learn about one of the world’s most unique habitats and the plants and critters that call the desert home. They 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
This month’s activities are inspired by the harvest season. From delicious food aromas to the crunching sounds of leaves, participants will relax into the nostalgia of autumn as Garden Playtime winds down for the year. They should save some time to hunt around for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden.
