Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years. Weather permitting. The event may be canceled if rain or inclement weather makes outdoor programming impractical. To check the status, attendees can email classes@atlantabg.org.
March: Colors of Spring
The Atlanta Botanical Garden showcases a vibrant palette of colors every Spring in Georgia—from snowy white dogwoods to brilliant pink and red azaleas, and everything in between. Participants can create vibrant artwork, explore rainbow sensory bins, and let their imaginations run wild at colorful playdough stations.
April: Spring Birds
Children will discover the different shapes of bird beaks and how these shapes determine what food they can eat at the bird exploration station. They will also create their own feathery friends with colorful chalk and design the perfect bird nests out of clay.
May: Mythical Creatures
The event invites exploration into the fascinating array of mythical creatures that inhabit beloved children’s stories. Participants may visit the mermaids in sensory bins, uncover hidden dragon treasure in kinetic sand, and construct their own dragon eggs at the art station.
June: Pollinator Friends
This June, attendees can celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning about the valuable role of diverse pollinator species in ecosystems. Children will investigate these fascinating critters up close, join in a bee pollen counting game, dig into “bees in a hive” sensory bins, and design their own “hungry caterpillars!”
July: Kids in Wonderland
Alice’s Wonderland returns with beautiful mosaiculture sculptures placed throughout the Garden. Participants will find the giant rabbit and other sculptures, then let their imaginations soar in the Children’s Garden with tea party sensory stations and flamingo croquet while designing their own crowns like the Queen of Hearts.
August: Wonderful Water
This month invites children to dive into the wonderful world of water. From streams, rivers, and lakes to marshes and oceans, water’s uniqueness will be explored. Attendees can visit sea turtle sensory bins, design their own jellyfish, hop over to frog games on the Children’s Garden lawn, and cool down in the Splash Pad before heading home.
September: Life in the Desert
Young explorers 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 cacti at playdough tables, and create 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 can relax into the nostalgia of autumn as Garden Playtime winds down for the year. They are encouraged to save time for a hunt around the Garden for their favorite Scarecrows.
