Parents can introduce their little ones to the joys of nature at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! This event features fun activities designed to stimulate children’s interest in the natural world. With a new theme each month, activities will engage the senses and spark creativity, making Garden Playtime an enjoyable and enriching activity 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. The event will be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status, attendees can email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: What’s the Weather?
The season of Garden Playtime kicks off with an exploration of the wonder of weather. Children will visit the art station to make their own rain stick and play a weather matching game at the kinetic sand tables. They can also swing by the rainbow sensory bins to bring in the sunshine.
April: Art in Nature
In April, children can celebrate National Haiku Poetry Day by combining art with nature. They will learn how natural patterns create interesting textures and mimic those textures in their art. Activities include exploring forest scenes in sensory bins, combining natural items with playdough, and creating their own nature bookmarks to take home.
May: Enchant Your Senses
In May, families will discover what magic Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees bring to the Garden. They will adventure into the sounds and colors of the world around them, exploring the wonder of light in the Amphitheatre, looking for hidden friends in fairy garden sensory bins, and designing their own wind chimes to take home.
June: Pollinator Friends
In June, participants can celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning about the valuable roles of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. They will investigate these fascinating critters up close and enjoy activities such as a bug tic-tac-toe game, sensory bins with “bees in a hive” and honey slime, and creating their own beehives using bubble wrap!
July: Kids in Wonderland
In July, Alice’s Wonderland returns for another season of fun, showcasing beautiful mosaiculture sculptures throughout the Garden. Families will find the giant rabbit and other interesting sculptures, and let their imaginations run wild at the tea party sensory station and flamingo croquet in the Children’s Garden. They can also visit the art station to paint red roses using celery pieces!
August: Froggy Fun
In August, children will dive into the wonderful world of frogs! Activities will include frog lawn games, frog pond sensory bins, playdough stations, and frog feet sponge paintings, ensuring everyone has a hoppin’ good time. Families can also cool down in the Splash Pad before heading home.
September: Enchanted Trees
In September, the joy of Patrick Shearn’s Enchanted Trees continues in the Children’s Garden. Participants will explore the wonder of trees through leaf rubbings, a pinecone painting mural, and apple pie-themed sensory bins, and can create their own four-season tree to take home at the art station.
October: Harvest Time
In October, activities will be inspired by the harvest season. With delicious food aromas and the crunching sounds of leaves, families can relax into the nostalgia of autumn as they wind down Garden Playtime for the year. Participants should save time to hunt for their favorite Scarecrows in the Garden.
